Richard Roper

Richard Roper – Editor

Novelist published by Penguin (US), Orion (UK), translated into 20 languages. Formerly senior non-fiction commissioning editor at Hachette.

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
Biographies & Memoirs Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors True Crime
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Humor & Comedy Romantic Comedy Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Progress in Editorial Skills: Copy-Editing and Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre

Work experience

Orion (UK), Penguin (US)

May, 2018 — Present
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)

Oct, 2011 — Present
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, and Miles Jupp, musicians Frank Turner, Dave Davies from the Kinks, Serj Tankian from System of a Down, and Joe Trohman from Fall Out Boy, and award-winning journalists such as Peter Ross and Adam Hurrey. I work in all areas of non-fiction, specialising in memoirs, music books, mental health, self-help, true crime, and sport.

Portfolio

This Disaster Loves You

Roper, Richard

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Made with Reedsy
Dad Camp: A Novel

Porter, Evan S.

Editorial Assessment
James Acaster's Classic Scrapes - The Hilarious Sunday Times Bestseller

James Acaster

**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**'I don't think I've ever read a book that has made me cry with laughter as much as this one. It was very difficult reading it in public as I looked like a madman' - Richard Herring James Acaster has been nominated for the Edinbur... read more
When We Were Young

Roper, Richard

Something to Live For

Roper, Richard

Delicacy

Katy Wix

'Mesmerising . . . an extraordinary piece of writing.' - The i paper'A layer cake of truth, pain and wisdom iced with charm. I loved it.' - Sue Perkins'Painfully raw and incredibly funny' - Si... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
More Time

Kyriakos Kotsinis

"More Time" is a reflective and introspective narrative focusing on themes of existential ennui, the passage of time, and the struggle to find meaning in life. It delves into the psyche of the... read more
Copy Editing
Prisoners of Geography: The Quiz Book: How Much Do You Really Know About the World?

Marshall, Tim

Scribner

Developmental Editing
A Pub For All Seasons: A Yearlong Journey in Search of the Perfect British Local

Adrian Tierney-Jones

Headline Book Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir

Case, Neko

Grand Central Publishing

Life Lessons From Historical Women

Eleanor Morton

Octopus

Take a tour of the past and uncover stories of the women whose lives and achievements have shaped our modern world. In Life Lessons from Historical Women, Eleanor Morton celebrates the ordinar... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Extra Time Beckons, Penalties Loom: How to (and Abuse) The Language of Football

Hurrey, Adam

Headline

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife: A Novel

Johnston, Anna

William Morrow

Query Letter Review
Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts)

Tankian, Serj

Hachette Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
I'LL BE THERE: Vignettes of an Intrepid Traveller

Kennedy, Caroline

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Misfit in Moscow: How British diplomacy in Russia failed: 2014-2019

Proud, Ian T

Proofreading
Steeple Chasing

Peter Ross

'What makes Steeple Chasing so compelling - and it is a wonderful book; thoughtful and challenging - is Ross's essential kindness, his unfailing empathy with the people he meets on his pilgrim... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
La Vampira: In Search of Lost Time

Madonna de la Noche

I was bit. I was a little Mexican girl and now I'm a cosmopolitan, Manhattanite vampire. A naïve little girl became a brutal vampire but now that little girl haunts me. I’ve written other vamp... read more
Editorial Assessment
Exit Stage Left

Nick Duerden

**INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE MONTH** **GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE DAY** **FINANCIAL TIMES 'BEST SUMMER BOOKS 2022' PICK** 'Incredibly moving.' - Guardian'Entertaining.' - Telegraph'Most books about pop... read more
Developmental Editing
Relentless

Stott, Dean

Developmental Editing
The Wit and Wisdom of Downton Abbey (The World of Downton Abbey)

Fellowes, Jessica

Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Richard has 75 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lee S.

Lee S.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
After tinkering with a novel for years, I desperately needed a new pair of eyes. But I wanted someone who would understand what I was striving for and not just blindly "fix" things. I'm so glad I found Richard. He gets it! Getting such careful, insightful feedback from someone so knowledgeable --...
Read more
Michael S.

Michael S.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
Working with Richard on my script was probably the best part of my writing process. He was both professional and genuinely involved, grasping my style early on and suggesting very relevant additions and changes to make my script more coherent, but also spotting minor logical and grammatical error...
Read more
Anna J.

Anna J.

Jul, 2023

Pinned
This is the second time I have sought Richard’s expertise which is testament to both the exceptional quality of his work and his encouraging and friendly demeanour which make collaborations a breeze. Thanks again!
Deanne D.

Deanne D.

Apr, 2025

Absolutely fabulous and great feedback. I loved working with Richard very transparent and great communication.
Kenneth M.

Kenneth M.

Apr, 2025

It's been great working with Richard. I look forward to working with him as the story progresses.

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