Overview
Hello there,
I'm an author and editor, and I'd love to work with you on your book.
As a novelist, I'm published by Penguin in the US, Orion in the UK, and around the world in 20 languages. My novels have been Barnes & Noble Fiction Book of the Month and optioned for TV.
As a former non-fiction editor at Hachette UK (Britain's second largest book publisher), I have commissioned and edited Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers, Waterstones Book of the Month and BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week selections, and other award-winning titles.
I love the feeling of helping authors figure out the puzzle of putting a book together. My approach is to provide feedback that is honest, empathetic, encouraging, and solutions based. I know how hard it is to put your work out there, and that is always at the forefront of my my mind.
If you are a looking for an editorial assessment, developmental edit, agent query letter review (including proposal and synopsis + early pages), a careful proofread – or anything else, including questions about the publishing industry – please get in touch!
Richard
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Progress in Editorial Skills: Copy-Editing and Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre
Work experience
Orion (UK), Penguin (US)
My debut reading group novel SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR was pre-empted by Orion in the UK and Putnam Penguin in the US (where it was published as HOW NOT TO DIE ALONE in hardback). It was sold in nineteen other territories and has been optioned for TV. It was fiction book of the month at Barnes and Noble. Positive reviews followed in the likes of The New York Times ('I loved this novel with my whole heart'), the BBC ('A charming, humorous and life-affirming tale about human kindness').
My second novel WHEN WE WERE YOUNG received praise from Good Morning America ('He writes with wit, soul, and beautiful prose') Metro ('Acutely funny, like a buddy movie dreamt up by David Nicholls and Nick Hornby'), and the Daily Mail ('A beautifully written comedy').
Book three, THIS DISASTER LOVES YOU, published in 2024, was reviewed as 'heartwarming and hilarious' by People Magazine.
Headline (Hachette UK)
At Headline (part of Hachette UK) I have commissioned and edited numerous Sunday Times bestsellers, and worked with authors such as comedians James Acaster, Katy Wix, Andrew O'Neill, Joel Dommett and Miles Jupp. I work in all areas of narrative non-fiction, specialising in memoirs, music books, mental health, true crime, and sport.
Portfolio
![](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/discovery/book/10804/cover/small_fac591bca6394bc5e13f481226ee92dccd246061.jpg)
Richard has 60 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
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![Lee S. Lee S.](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/avatar/1944683/thumb_8fcecfc87af7a9c024d60e803896bb531ca3ae06.jpg)
Lee S.
Feb, 2024
Pinned![Michael S. Michael S.](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/avatar/default/0f249e4e5aa1c61aec7276f8653a07588c89789c.png)
Michael S.
Nov, 2023
Pinned![Anna J. Anna J.](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/avatar/1698503/thumb_b3ec96ceade220f27b0e205dc836fa777da4c28f.jpg)
Anna J.
Jul, 2023
Pinned![Mel C. Mel C.](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/avatar/1862562/thumb_15e7193e95d7e7b64b6b088c40606722c6611acb.jpg)
Mel C.
Aug, 2024
![Cameron H. Cameron H.](https://images-cdn.reedsy.com/avatar/1177628/thumb_e2e71b3bb80995195120e87978c8570f8594ea0f.jpg)
Cameron H.
Aug, 2024
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