Rebecca Millar

Rebecca Millar – Editor

Experienced former Penguin editor, specialising in crime/thriller/suspense. Let's get those readers hooked and on the edge of their seats!

Overview

CURRENTLY BOOKING FOR NOVEMBER 2023 ONWARDS.


The best part of being an editor is helping writers to create work that they can be truly proud of. I can't wait to collaborate with you as a writer, to come to understand your writing and then work together to not only make it the best it can be, but also ensuring it has greatest chance of success in a crowded marketplace. Let's ramp up the tension, have readers on the edge of their seats, and, ultimately, totally and utterly gripped!


With over seven years’ experience in the commercial publishing industry, I have worked for major and independent publishers in the UK including Penguin Random House, Hachette and HarperCollins. I have expertise in structural editing – as well as formal qualifications in copy-editing and proofreading – across both fiction and non-fiction. I love working across multiple genres, but my favourite genre and my specialism is crime, suspense and thriller. I have worked with both high-profile traditionally published authors – including a few Sunday Times bestsellers such as Gilly MacMillan and Heidi Perks – as well as indie writers, embracing the world of self-publishing with success, such as Simon McCleave, Sally Rigby and Morgan Greene.


I am now based in the beautiful city of Bath, where I enjoy reading manuscripts, drinking far too much tea, whilst living less than half a mile from six different bookshops. If you can appreciate how dangerous that is, we'll get on swimmingly!


As featured on THE SELF-PUBLISHING SHOW, THE HOBCAST, THE CRIME BOARD PODCAST.


AUTHOR TESTIMONIALS


"I've got an amazing editor who pretty much taught me to write novels [...] I'm eternally grateful to [Rebecca], because all the bad habits of being a screenwriter came out in that first book, about POV and head-hopping and all that kind of stuff. She basically drilled that out of me gently, and held my hand through the first book. I've used her ever since. She's very, very good at looking at the first or second draft and spotting when a character's not acting in the way that she would expect or plot holes or ... She's got a fantastic idea if you move that scene back, that will make that act much, much pacier." – SIMON McCLEAVE, interviewed on The Self-Publishing Podcast

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Espionage Legal Thriller Medical Thriller Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Society of Young Publishers 2020 Mentee
Certifications
  • Copy-editing - Publishing Training Centre
  • Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre
  • BA English (Hons) 2.1 – University of Bristol
  • Member of the Chartered Institute for Editors and Proofreaders
  • Associate Member of the Crime Writers Association

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2019 — Present

I have expertise in all levels of editing including structural editing, copy-editing and proofreading, across both fiction and non-fiction. Specialising in crime and thriller, I'm always excited to hear about new projects, so whether you just have a spark of an idea or have already written your full manuscript, get in touch about how I can help you on the next stage of your writing journey.

Recent clients include Penguin Random House UK and Australia, HarperCollins UK and Australia, Hachette UK, and a number of independent authors and publishers.

Cornerstone, Penguin Random House UK

May, 2018 — Jan, 2019 (8 months)

· Promoted after five months as Assistant Editor due to exceptional performance.
· Assessing submissions for on the PRH WriteNow Mentoring programme 2019
· Assessing submissions for on the Daily Mail First Novel Competition 2019
· Working closely on titles – fiction, non-fiction and highly illustrated – from acquisition through to publication. Tasks include pitching projects, project management, writing/editing texts, briefing covers, proof collation and picture research, clearing legal reports, raising ideas for potential acquisitions.
· Close editorial work across a range of titles and genres both fiction and non-fiction, namely psychological thriller and crime.

Cornerstone, Penguin Random house

Jan, 2018 — May, 2018 (4 months)

· Liaising with authors, freelancers and fellow staff through clear and effective communication, both written and verbal, ensuring deadlines are met and work completed to a high standard.
· Reviewing submissions, writing reader reports and turndown notes and generating editorial ideas.
· Editorial work on ongoing titles, including Sherlock: The Fire Brigade Dog (Century, 2018).
· Assessing submissions for on the Daily Mail First Novel Competition 2018
· Highlights include negotiating photography for the highly illustrated Love Your Plot, David Jason’s second autobiography, Only Fools and Stories, and Tim Peake’s Ask an Astronaut, bringing in all the images at a high quality and for half the photographic budget.

Cornerstone, Penguin Random House

Mar, 2016 — Jan, 2018 (almost 2 years)

· Responsibilities included diary management for the Publisher and Deputy Publisher and general administration for the imprint; and assisting the editors on ongoing front and backlist titles.
· Assessing submissions for on the PRH WriteNow Mentoring programme 2017
· Assessing submissions for on the Daily Mail First Novel Competition 2017

Troubador Publishing Ltd

May, 2015 — Feb, 2016 (9 months)

· High-quality proofreading and copy-editing of manuscripts, working across a range of genres from personal memoir, crime, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, YA, children's and picture books.
· Responsible for the smooth running of the editorial department, including management of workflow and extensive freelance database.

Portfolio

Deadly Game

Michael C.

*** An explosive international thriller from the Hollywood legend and British icon Sir Michael Caine***DCI Harry Taylor has no respect for red tape or political reputations - but he's great at catching criminals. And all his unorthodox skills will be needed as... read more
The People Before

Charlotte N.

‘Charlotte Northedge turns the psychological thumbscrews with relish’ THE TIMES ‘I read through the night to finish this thriller about a dream country house that turns into a nightmare. Spooky, tense, richly atmospheric and profoundly moving’ ERIN KELLY What ... read more
The Nanny

Gilly M.

'With its buried secrets, shifting allegiances, and creeping sense of dread, The Nanny pulses with tension until its shocking conclusion. I absolutely loved it!' Shari Lapena___________________Seven-year-old Jocelyn Holt loves her nanny more than her own mothe... read more
‘Charged with darkness and plotted with watchmaker precision.’ A. J. Finn ‘Such an achievement’ Susan Lewis ‘Compulsively readable’ Greg Buchanan ‘Sinister, a just-one-more-page thriller’ Chris Whitaker ‘Compelling’ Cara Hunter There’s something in my neighbou... read more
____________________They left four children safe upstairs.They came back to three.__________________On the fifth floor of the White Caps Hotel, four young boys are left alone while their parents dine downstairs. But when one of the parents checks on the childr... read more
The Pact

Sharon B.

'Deliciously compelling' Daily Mirror'Delightfully dark' The Times**********A golden summer, and six talented friends are looking forward to the brightest of futures - until a daredevil game goes horribly wrong, and a woman and two children are killed.18-year-... read more
***AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW*** The breathtaking follow-up to the Richard and Judy bestseller NOW YOU SEE HER____________________________A SHOCKING DISCOVERY.A COMMUNITY WRAPPED IN SECRETS.A tiny island community is stunned by the discovery of a long-buried b... read more
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERShe was your responsibility. And now she's missing.‘I flew through this book in three days, with my heart in my mouth. Seriously page turning’ Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of THEN SHE WAS GONE ‘The term “unputdownable” gets bandie... read more
_________________________________Two women – desperate to unlock the truth.How far will they go to lay the past to rest? ANNA has been taught that virtue is the path to God. But on her eighteenth birthday she defies her Mamma’s rules and visits Florida’s bigge... read more
Resolutions are made Marriages are broken... A gripping domestic thriller set in The Cotswolds and perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks! It started with the party... Frankie, Verity and Alice live in the idyllic Cotswolds community of White Fir L... read more
'Beautifully written, incredibly evocative with a real sense of place and of the sea. Heart-stoppingly tense' Catherine Cooper, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE CHALET The new pulse-pounding thriller from the bestselling author of THE MEMORY WOOD.******H... read more
When you have nothing left, what else do you have to lose? Stuck in a soulless job in New York, sat at a barren desk and too nervous to walk past the boss’s office to get a coffee, Paul Hart’s career has hit an all-time low. So, when he’s offered the chance to... read more
A dark and unsettling psychological thriller about toxic friendship, misplaced loyalty and secrets from the past finally being revealed. A gripping new story from international bestseller Nina Manning.Your best friend or your worst nightmare...?From the moment... read more
A mysterious lab. A sinister scientist. A secret history. If you think you know the truth behind Eleven’s mother, prepare to have your mind turned Upside Down in this thrilling prequel to the hit show Stranger Things. It’s the summer of 1969, and the shock of ... read more

Rebecca has 35 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Steve W.

Steve W.

Jun, 2023

My experience of working with Rebecca was entirely positive. I had been very specific about what I wanted her to do and the report she has now sent me stuck closely to my brief. Added to which, she delivered several weeks earlier than expected. I particularly like the fact that in her covering letter she was at pains to point out that she is one subjective reader, albeit with experience of the ...
Read more
Jeff S.

Jeff S.

Mar, 2023

This was the 2nd manuscript Rebecca has edited and, as always, she's great to work with. Her communication throughout the process, her professionalism, and the value of comments and suggestions make working with her very simple and stress free. I feel like her editing has helped improved my manuscripts and am looking forward to working with her again.
adam E.

adam E.

Jan, 2023

Excellent from start to finish. Rebecca didnt simply edit my manuscript, but remained a valuable participant when the time came to implement the changes noted. Always on hand. 100% would recommend.
Helen E.

Helen E.

Nov, 2022

Rebecca is a wonderful editor and has been instrumental in my writing process as a novice novelist. She guided me sensitively and incrementally to better understand my characters and situations, as well as helping me to develop a more engaging writing style. I've benefitted greatly from her suggestions and insights, and her feedback was always encouraging, even when pointing out flaws in my sto...
Read more
Jeff S.

Jeff S.

Jun, 2022

Rebecca did an amazing job with my first novel and helped it sound and feel so much better. She provides good suggestions that add more depth to a scene through a few words or a sentence that I hadn't even considered. Hoping to work with her again on the rest of the books in my series.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Rebecca and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Rebecca

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Julie Crisp

Julie C.

I am an editor with over fifteen years’ experience working for three major houses across a broad spectrum of commercial fiction titles.

Reading, United Kingdom

99% reply rate

View profile
Laurel Sills

Laurel S.

I'm an award-winning editor specializing in thrillers, women's and SFF. Bookseller rising star previously of Bloomsbury and Canelo.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Amy Tipton

Amy T.

I was a literary agent for years now I'm a freelance editor/owner of an editorial service for women/women-identifying/genderqueer writers.

Gillette, WY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile