Nicky Lovick

Nicky Lovick - Editor

London, United Kingdom

Developmental editor specialising in women's commercial fiction, crime and thrillers. 20 years' experience. Book agent at WGM Atlantic.

Request a quote
Verified identity

Overview

My passion is story – how to help you make your story the very best it can be. I pride myself on a friendly (but always honest!) approach and hope you'll enjoy the editing process. If you're fairly new to writing, I can help you hone your story-telling skills – you'll find yourself a better writer for it. If you're an experienced writer, you'll know the value of another pair of eyes on a manuscript.

So, no matter what stage your manuscript is at, I can help. If you’ve just finished it (well done!), I can take a look to advise you how much more editorial work is required. If you’ve been through a round or two of rewrites, perhaps a developmental edit is needed? I look at plot, structure, characterisation, narrative pace, sense of place, as well as other aspects. What works, what doesn't and – most importantly – how to fix it. A copy-edit will pick up typos, bad grammar and punctuation and iron out inconsistencies. A proofread will give it that final professional polish – whether you’re going to self-publish or submit via the traditional publishing route.

Whether you hope for this to be the first of many novels or the only one you ever intend to write, you want it to be the very best it can be. For your personal satisfaction – and Amazon reviews last a very long time!

Current publishers: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Little, Brown, Atlantic, Bonnier, Duckworth, Welbeck, Palazzo and Profile (amongst many more).

I work with indie authors from all over the UK and around the world, specialising in crime, thrillers and commercial women's fiction. CIEP Advanced Professional.

‘I’m pleased to recommend Nicky Lovick, an ex-colleague and subsequently friend of over fifteen years, whose freelance editorial services I routinely request in my capacity as an in-house acquiring editor. In the time I have known her, Nicky has consistently proved her expertise and sensitivity as an editor and as someone upon whom I know I can rely and in whose ever-capable hands I know I can entrust my authors’ work. From the toughest of jobs to those requiring the lightest of touches, ranging from structural and line-editing to copy-editing to proofreading, Nicky never fails to provide an astute editorial eye for the task in hand, always delivering to the highest standard, often to tight deadlines and limited budgets. I highly recommend Nicky as an editor.’ KB

‘I have used Nicky Lovick’s editorial services for many years now and could not recommend her more highly. Nicky is everything you might want in an editor – diligent and attentive, with a wonderful eye for detail. She is always sensitive to the needs of writers and works collaboratively to deliver the best possible end result. She has handled some big projects for me over the years and has always delivered an excellent, timely service. Nicky is a great publishing professional and a gifted editor. She’s also a lovely person.’ SOK

Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction

Certifications

  • CIEP Advanced Professional

Work experience

Managing Editor

Constable & Robinson
June, 2010 – November, 2013 (over 3 years)

Project-editing 60 titles per year from handover of manuscript to production on a wide range of titles
Managing of a department which produced 250 titles a year

Managing Editor, Fiction

Headline Publishing Group
January, 2006 – December, 2009 (almost 4 years)

Structural, line-editing and project-editing titles from handover of manuscript to production on a wide range of authors and titles including Martina Cole, James Patterson, Andrea Levy and Wendy Holden

Editor, Fiction

Transworld
January, 2004 – December, 2006 (almost 3 years)

Edited a range of fiction and narrative non-fiction titles
Built and maintained good relationships with authors such as Claudia Carroll, Charlotte Bingham, Patricia Scanlan and Joanne Harris

Freelance book editor

Self-employed
February, 2002 – Present (about 21 years)

Fiction developmental editor, specialising in women's fiction, crime and thrillers. I've been working solidly on a freelance basis for twenty years, as well as in-house. I work for top five publishers as well as self-publishing authors.

Assistant Editor, Fiction

The Orion Publishing Group
January, 2001 – November, 2004 (almost 4 years)

Ran list comprising of Harlan Coben, Ian Rankin and Roger Jon Ellory, among others, whilst publishing director was on sabbatical
Edited commercial fiction
Read agented and unsolicited submissions

Portfolio (17 selected works)

The Vanishing Tide

Tailor, Hilary

Blood Orange

Tyce, Harriet

Green-Eyed Mobster

Andy Maslen, Rob Ellis, Sunfish Ltd

Nicky has 77 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Jay Neve
It was my first time working with Nicky and from my perspective, certainly not my last! Friendly, thorough and incredibly supportive, what more could you want from an editor? I'd encourage anyone looking for a copy editor (and friendly encouragement) to give Nicky's services a try.

Jay Neve, December 2022


Sarah Jo Wood
We are two co-authors, and both undertook a lot of research before employing Nicky to work with us on our novel. We have been delighted with our decision. As we hoped, Nicky’s Copy Editor skills were excellent with a great attention to detail. In addition, we were extremely pleased at the way Nicky quickly got to understand the objectives of our novel and the two principal characters. This...
Read more

Sarah Jo Wood, November 2022


Robert Shellenbarger
I hired Nicky to do an introductory edit on the first three chapters of my thriller novel, and her work impressed me. Her edits brought my text alive, brought my reader into my protagonist’s POV, and increased the depth of my protagonist's character. I highly recommend Nicky, and will continue to work with her. Bob S

Robert Shellenbarger, November 2022


Bruce Conord
Nicky provided precisely what I was looking for in editorial service. She did excellent and thorough developmental edits with additional help on my 90,000-word thriller novel. And she worked with me to iron out plot points and format mistakes. I am super satisfied with her work and recommend her without hesitation.

Bruce Conord, September 2022


Alexander Bem
It was a real pleasure working with Nicky, she's extremely attentive and conscientious, provides an excellent service (going above and beyond the scope at times) and genuinely cares about the end project - a massive thank you Nicky and I hope we can work together again in the future.

Alexander Bem, August 2022

Read more reviews

Explore the Reedsy Community

Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.

Marcela Landres

Past Simon & Schuster editor, NEA Literature Grant Panelist, clients include bestsellers Daniel Jose Older and Dora Levy Mossanen.

New York, NY, USA

Skip Press

All-around writer, editor, screenwriter, teacher, with clients, students, and fans all over the world.

Burbank, CA, USA

To view 1,000+ more profiles, Join Reedsy