Overview
I am a freelance book editor who is passionate about storytelling and encouraging writers. I have five years’ experience in London's publishing industry - four years editing at HarperCollins and one year working at top literary agency, David Higham Associates. I taught English language and writing in Italy for three years and worked with writers in script development at Amazon Studios in Los Angeles for two years - we were the American team who acquired FLEABAG before it became a global hit. I have always been interested in people and stories and have a BA in Psychology. As a dual citizen who has lived and worked in the UK and US, I am confident working with both British and American English.
No matter what stage of the writing process you are in, I would love to work with you. I believe in a collaborative approach, where I make suggestions to help elevate your writing but allow you to decide on and implement the changes. I edit with clear communication and positivity in mind - I want our collaboration to be useful and I want your book to succeed. Fiction is my specialty and I work across all fiction genres, but especially historical fiction and crime, thriller, mystery, and suspense. I read broadly and enjoy books with a touch of magic, the unexpected, drama, darkness, quirkiness, or humor. I am available for editorial assessments, developmental edits, and submission package assessments. I also have experience brainstorming titles and subtitles, writing cover copy, and pitching books, so I am happy to provide that type of service too. I would love to hear from you, so we can discuss what you would like to achieve together.
*Please note that as of January 2025, I am fully booked for developmental edits until June 2025. I have some space before then for query letter reviews and smaller scale projects, but space is limited.*
What writers said about working with me:
‘I loved working with Rebecca on my debut novel. Super friendly, such a good eye for detail and so good at coming up with ideas and suggestions.’ Roxie Key, THE DEADLY SPARK
‘Rebecca was full of so many great ideas about how to improve the manuscript, and her enthusiasm for my characters, knowledge of the editorial process, and insight into what makes a good novel, all vastly improved my writing.’ Elissa Soave, GINGER AND ME
‘Rebecca was a joy to work with. Her editorial notes were so clear and constructive and really helped tease the best out of my characters and plot.’ Jennifer Moore, THE WILDERNESS RETREAT
'This edit was extremely useful and the feedback on my WIP from Rebecca was constructive, detailed and thoughtful. Highly recommended.' Richard Hough, novel in progress
'I really appreciated Rebecca’s insightful and thoughtful feedback . . . She gave very clear suggestions on how I could improve all aspects of my manuscript and in particular helped me shape the structure of the opening chapters.' Laura Faulkner, novel in progress
Services
Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- CELTA, Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (2016)
- The Fundamentals of Book Editing Course, London School of Publishing (2020)
- Proofreading PDFs Course, The Publishing Training Centre (2023)
Work experience
Self-employed
I provide editing services for writers and publishers, including manuscript assessments, developmental edits, line edits, and proofreads. Other services include query letter reviews and submission package assessments, submission reading, title and subtitle brainstorming, and cover copy writing and ideas.
HarperCollins Publishers
I read submissions and acquired and edited a range of commercial and literary fiction books. Working with both debut and bestselling authors, I completed developmental and line edits, wrote cover copy, briefed covers, created titles and subtitles, prepared texts for typesetting, and reviewed and approved copy-edits, proofreads, final texts, and covers.
David Higham Associates
I assisted the book agents, read unsolicited submissions, wrote reader reports, and helped organize and read for the agency's biannual Open Days for Underrepresented Writers.
John Cabot University and British School Group
At JCU, I taught English Language for University Studies and English Continuing Education courses. I also tutored students in creative and academic writing at the Writing Centre. At British School Group, I taught beginner to advanced English language and Cambridge English exam preparation.
Amazon Studios
I read script submissions, managed a team of readers, wrote notes on scripts in development and series in production, including TRANSPARENT, RED OAKS, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, and CATASTROPHE. We were the American team who acquired FLEABAG before it became a global hit.
Portfolio
