Rebecca Sutherland

Rebecca Sutherland – Editor

Proofreader and editor with structural expertise and market insight. Here to make writing the best it can be.

Overview

I've been working with books for seven years, and I've loved them my whole life. My experience within the book industry includes working with the book buyer for a major international retailer, as an in-house editor at an independent publishing company and as a bookseller at my local indie bookshop. I have worked with many of the major publishing houses on everything from sports autobiographies to historical fiction; from cookbooks to tarot card reading guides - I just love the satisfaction of taking any project and giving it my all to make it the best it can be.


Between attaining my master's degree in publishing and my experience across the market, I have gained insight not only into genre and reader expectations, but into all aspects of communicating using this delightfully flawed medium we call the English language. My bachelor's degree in drama developed my structural expertise.


As a freelancer, I offer proofreading, editing, manuscript appraisal and writing advice/coaching. I can proofread your finished work ready for publication, write a structural report to help you with that final draft, or everything in between! As an experienced project editor, I can take any project at any stage and get it to where it needs to go next. My style, or philosophy if you like, is very much client-led. I will always provide information up front and am happy to make myself available to answer any questions and provide explanations. I can be flexible with your needs and view my role as providing guidance and advice rather than strictly dictatorial - your work is your work, and I'm here to contribute my expertise to assist you. You can expect an avalanche of advice of course, and my proofreading will always be exact and comprehensive.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MA Publishing

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2020 — Present

In the past few years I have worked with publishers as a proofreader and copyeditor, as well as done a number of manuscript assessments for independent authors and authors intending to seek traditional publication.

WHSmith

Nov, 2018 — Apr, 2020 (over 1 year)

Working for an international company gave me access to the bookselling industry, where I gained valuable insight into the book market that can use to advise on genre, marketability and markers of success. I also got a lot of free books to expand my literary knowledge!

New Holland

Feb, 2018 — Nov, 2018 (9 months)

At New Holland I was solely responsible for taking each project from raw manuscript to finished book, liaising with authors through large structural changes, nitty gritty copy/line edits and a final proofread polish to ensure a perfect text. I worked closely with designers and publicists and stuck to rapid turnarounds to keep production on schedule. Some of the genres I took on were cookbooks, guidebooks, educational books, memoir/autobiography, self-help and humour.

Hachette and Curtis Brown

Sep, 2017 — Dec, 2017 (3 months)

During my studies I interned as an editorial assistant at big five publisher Hachette, and as general assistant at literary agency Curtis Brown.

Portfolio

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
A stirring story of love and hope, based on the incredible true story of Australia's first Japanese war bride and a love that changed a nation forever. Gordon Parker is an eager eighteen-year-... read more
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Sound Bites

Ed Le Brocq

Ed Le Brocq invites you to come on a journey with him through a living tradition that spans a millennium - the tradition of Western classical music. Have you ever wondered where our music come... read more
Proofreading
Proofreading
Advice about how to be a great parent from the co-host of Parental Guidance What does it mean to be a good parent? Are you a good parent when your child is compliant, but a bad parent when the... read more
Proofreading
Copy Editing
The Paris Seamstress

Lester, Natasha

Proofreading
Proofreading
The Brothers

Hinton, S.D.

Proofreading
You Made Me This Way

Shannon Molloy

A harrowing and heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful book about one of our society's deepest shames, from Shannon Molloy, the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Fourteen.
Proofreading
When Life Sucks

Dr Jo Prendergast

A first-aid manual for supporting your teen's mental health, by psychiatrist and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast When Life Sucks is an essential guide to supporting your teen's mental health. As a ... read more
Copy Editing
The Great Race

Aaron Noonan

The cars, the stars, the thrills and the spills from 60 years of the Bathurst classic by Australia's premier motorsports journalist with a foreword by five-time winner Garth Tander The Bathurs... read more
Proofreading
Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has been on yet another adventure, this time gathering more stories from outback towns and pubs; from the green fields of Tasmania to the vast red sands of Simpson Desert.T... read more
Proofreading
THE NEW BOOK FROM AUSTRALIA'S BESTSELLING TRUE CRIME AUTHOR In a long-awaited return to his best-selling prison series, James Phelps will lift the lid on Australia's most infamous prison - HM ... read more
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Openside

Pocock, David

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Before Dementia

Dr Kate Gregorevic

About preventing, preparing, coping How do I know if I have dementia, and how will I live with it if I do? Can people with dementia consent to sex? Can they choose euthanasia for their future ... read more
Proofreading
Yeah, while some of my stories are quite gory, others can be very enlightening. Though, in hindsight, the best outcomes are when the patient pulls through. It's then that you know you've done ... read more
Proofreading
From Earth

Rasmussen, Charlotte

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading

Rebecca has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Abigail M.

Abigail M.

Nov, 2023

Rebecca was great to work with. She finished the edit in good time with great feedback for me to work on going forward. I hope to work with her on future projects.
Rebecca S.
Thank you for sharing your story with me! I look forward to seeing where you go with it next.
Josh J.

Josh J.

Nov, 2023

Rebecca completed a manuscript assessment for my novel. The feedback she provided was actionable and well explained, and my mind has been ticking overs with ideas for improvement ever since.
Rebecca S.
Glad to leave you feeling inspired! It was a pleasure to read your manuscript and I can’t wait to see where you take the story next.
Ali M.

Ali M.

Nov, 2023

My collaboration with Rebecca was extremely valuable and professional. I initially requested a manuscript assessment for a first draft, and she completed the assessment in a timely manner and with an objective approach. Also, while Rebecca’s assessment was critical, it was constructive and not discouraging or disheartening. A her quality and professionalism were very appreciated!
Rebecca S.
Thank you Ali, it was a pleasure to read your manuscript and work together to take it to the next stage!
Karin M.

Karin M.

Jun, 2023

Rebecca was a pleasure to work with. The final deliverable was provided within the nominated timeframe and Rebecca kept me updated with any delays or concerns at the intermediate stages. Rebecca was flexible with file type and provided useful information in addition to the proofread, e.g. a list of consistent errors (so I can be alert to not repeating them), and she noted any terms that warrant...
Read more
Rebecca S.
Thank you Karin, it was a pleasure to work with you too. I wish you all the best with your novel!
craig K.

craig K.

Apr, 2023

Rebecca is excellent to work with. She helped me refine exactly what it what I needed her top help me with and her advice and feedback was succinct and extremely helpful. I can highly recommend Rebecca. Thank you
Rebecca S.
Thank you Craig, it was a pleasure working with you!

Professionals similar to Rebecca

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

Barbara Kois

Barbara K.

Editor, coach: I’ve partnered with 250+ authors to make their books successful through various types of edits and professional support.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Neha Patel

Neha P.

Proofreader, copy editor and sensitivity reader who loves YA fiction, thrillers, and memoirs. Freelanced with Sourcebooks and HarperCollins.

Dallas, TX, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Alice Youell

Alice Y.

Former Commissioning Editor at Penguin Random House with 11 years' publishing experience working across bookclub and literary fiction.

London, UK

99% reply rate

View profile