Richard Bradburn

Richard Bradburn – Editor

Professional editor with extensive experience across a wide range of fiction genres and memoir, specialising in developmental editing.

Overview

I'm a professionally accredited freelance editor working primarily with indie-publishing authors. Before I was an editor, I was a writer, writing YA, paranormal and fantasy, so I know what it's like on both sides of the desk. This insight has given me a great understanding of what it's like to be edited. One client was kind enough to say that, having been afraid of editors before, working with me had "turned that dread into an immensely positive and cherished experience".

However, I'm tough, and will say exactly what I think a book needs if it's to succeed in fulfilling the author's ambition (which might be writing a New York Times bestseller, or might just be to create a book to give to the grandchildren). Several clients have gone on to sign with agents and get book deals with big-5 publishers, so the process works, no matter how high your level of ambition!

Specialist genres: memoir/fantasy/romance/historical fiction/literary fiction/crime/horror/YA/childrens.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Client short-listed for Bath Novel Award
Certifications
  • Publaunch approved supplier
  • ALLi approved supplier
  • CIEP professional member
  • AFEPI professional member

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2015 — Present

Experienced professional editor in all fiction genres other than religious. Have written for middle grade and young adult. Authors have gone on to be shortlisted for major awards, have Amazon bestsellers and been picked up by agents and/or big-5 publishers.
All editing undertaken, from coaching, developmental or line editing, copyediting and proofreading. Manuscript assessments, synopsis, blurb and query letter assessment.
Please see the attached portfolio for a broad spread of fiction genres.

Amazon

Jan, 2014 — Jan, 2015 (about 1 year)

In-house editor for Amazon's Writeon online platform, giving author critiques on contributors' submissions to the platform. Formed the inspiration for the popular OpeningLines writing website that started in 2018.

Portfolio

The Secrets at Ocean's Edge: The top ten bestseller

Kali Napier

The secrets that bind a family can also destroy a family. The absorbing story of a guesthouse keeper and his wife who attempt to start over, from devastatingly talented debut author Kali Napier'An intense tale of a family's heart-rending search for belonging' ... read more
Caring For You: A Tale of Resilience

Zara, Adelyn

Making Magic (A Tale of Resilience)

Zara, Adelyn

Finding Peace (A Tale of Resilience)

Zara, Adelyn

A Cappella (Stories from The Pale)

Taylor-Brock, Ellie

FOREVER IN DREAMS (Stories from The Pale)

TAYLOR-BROCK, ELLIE

Modern Women: Stories from The Pale

Taylor-Brock, Ellie

Shanahans Growing Pains: Book Two in The Shanahans Series

Fitzenz, John, A.

The Shanahans: Mike's Last Chance

Fitzenz, John

A Black and White Life

Bharath Veeraraghavan

Hamlet & Me

Mike Hogan

Mikey Cleary is a bright boy from a working class, Anglo-Irish family who lives in a confusion of worlds, each with its own senseless rules and bizarre inhabitants.Why does police sergeant 'Killer' Wells chase Jim the Bookie and never catch him? Why won't Mike... read more
Sherlock Holmes and Young Winston: The Jubilee Plot

Mike Hogan

June 1887. As the climax of her Golden Jubilee celebrations, Queen Victoria will join more than fifty foreign monarchs and heads of state, her peers of the realm and her ministers in a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Spymasters in the newly creat... read more
The Money Trap: A tense gripping crime thriller (Mason and Sterling Novella Book 2)

David Beckler

Introduction to a nail-biting new thriller series which will have you on the edge of your seat! Perfect for fans of Lee Child, J. B. Turner, Mark Dawson and David Baldacci.London, England 1996Ex-Royal Marine Byron Mason is used to fighting for survival, but wh... read more
Forged in Flames: action packed thriller (Mason and Sterling Novella Book 1)

David Beckler

Introduction to a nail-biting new thriller series which will have you on the edge of your seat! Perfect for fans of Lee Child, J. B. Turner, Mark Dawson and David Baldacci.Manchester, England 1996Ex-Royal Marine and Firefighter, Adam Sterling, rescues Kim from... read more
Between the Lies: A gripping psychological thriller

A J WILLS

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE?A web of deceit. A life built on a lie. And a woman trying to atone for the wrongs of her past. Jez was only trying to protect his family.He didn’t mean to kill the intruder who broke in late one night.Maybe he... read more
call BILLY 07899 232007

Sam McColl

Edinburgh is meant to be a new start for the Gillespie family. Rachel has enrolled as a mature student at the university, while Andrew is spending more time with the kids. But Rachel's 'new start' morphs into 'new affair' with fellow student Ryan. Or is it Ste... read more
Neon Martini: House Speaker Jack Gould is a cocktail olive away from the presidency

Mike Hogan

In the aftermath of his chaotic ninety-nine-day administration, the ex-president escapes a blizzard of House committee hearings and grand jury investigations in Washington for a vacation in Moscow. While he arm-wrestles President Putin for world domination, hi... read more
Bad Napkin

T. Sharman

The young adult comedy about love, lies and lists.“. . .this delightful, quirky book . . . A zany and satisfying story for fans of YA tales that pack as much humor as they do heart.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review) When Sophy’s backpack is turtled, Russ find... read more

Richard has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Gail P.

Gail P.

Jun, 2023

I've hired Richard twice (so far!)—first for a developmental edit and a year later for proofreading edits. He has been extremely helpful and I will definitely work with him again for future books.
Richard B.
Thanks, Gail! A pleasure working with you. Best of luck with the book!
Stephen L.

Stephen L.

Feb, 2023

Richard has considerable skill as an editor and for a novice writer such as myself his collaboration has been most helpful. His observations are both encouraging and perceptive. He is a please to collaborate with.
Richard B.
Pleasure to work with you! Do get in touch if you need further help. Best of luck with your rewrites!
Gail P.

Gail P.

Sep, 2022

Richard gave great feedback, helpful suggestions and was very responsive. He's given me much to think about as I begin the editing phase. It was also very helpful that I read his book first ," Self-editing for Self-publishers: Incorporating—A Style Guide for Fiction," before I sent my manuscript to him as I was able to correct some issues on my own first that he mentioned in the Style Guide. Hi...
Read more
Richard B.
Thanks, Gail. A pleasure working with you. Best of luck with your book!
Perry W.

Perry W.

Mar, 2021

Richard was lovely to work with. I was unsure of what type of editing I needed and he clarified that for me right away so I wasn't spending a load of money on something I may not have needed. My age wasn't a problem to him and despite realising how difficult my manuscript was, he still completed the edit on time and with quality.

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