Robin Seavill

Robin Seavill – Editor

Twenty years' experience in commercial fiction and non-fiction for such publishers as HarperCollins, Virgin, Harlequin and Little, Brown.

Overview

I’m here to help you craft the best possible version of your work to give it maximum impact all the way from the publisher’s desk through to the reader’s soul. This includes everything from basic grammar and spelling to the more complex areas of character, plot and structure.

Viewing your material with a fresh eye, I can suggest cuts where the prose may be too dense, or beefing up where it appears weak or unconvincing. And any corrections will be carried out with sensitivity to the original tone of the piece and your unique authorial voice.

Writers whose books I've worked on include David Solomons, author of Not Another Happy Ending, which was later filmed with Karen Gillan in the lead, and Robert Thorogood, creator of TV series Death in Paradise. Adam Nevill, whose novel The Ritual was made into a highly-regarded 2017 horror movie starring Rafe Spall, recalls:

"When I was an extremely busy editor of over 80 titles per year at Virgin Books, Robin had the expertise and experience that always gave me peace of mind with my authors’ work at proof-stage. Robin is also a very clever chap; his broad general knowledge has often been indispensable during the editorial process.”

More recent clients have said this:

“Truly a professional. The quality of work was out of this world, it is all I could ever ask for. If I could give 6 stars in communication and punctuality I would give 7.”
L.S. Goozdich, Frozen Wrath, 2022

“Robin did a stellar job. His thorough approach to editing, eye for detail, professionalism, value for money, communication and punctuality have exceeded my expectations. I'll definitely use his services again.”
Quinlan Mason, Winds of Sirocco, 2021

“Outstanding. Robin is the consummate professional. His suggestions are very helpful. His insights are spot on and his responsiveness is unmatched.”
Frank Napolitano, Day of Days: September 11, 2001, 2021

“Robin was absolutely the man for this job. He was patient, thorough, knowledgeable and went the extra mile. He was also fun to interact with.”
Carol Blackwood, Angels of Death, 2020

“Finding Robin here on Reedsy was like finding gold.”
Heather Stretch, The Brigandshaw Chronicles, 2019

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment History True Crime
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • BA (Hons) degree in Modern Languages (French & German), St John's College, Oxford

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2001 — Present

Proofreading and copy editing for numerous publishers including Embla, Harlequin, HarperCollins, Kamba Publishing Little, Brown, Piatkus, Quercus, Ritual Limited Sutton Publishing and Virgin.
Author of How To Write Erotica: A Guide (Mills and Boon, 2013)

Press Association

Jul, 2002 — Nov, 2021 (over 19 years)

Writing, editing, proofing and formatting every kind of puzzle for a wide range of national and international newspapers and magazines, both in print and online.

Bath & West Life magazine

Apr, 1997 — Jul, 1999 (about 2 years)

Oversaw the successful relaunch of this premier full-colour glossy lifestyle magazine for the southwest of England.

Proscenium Theatre Publications Ltd

Apr, 1994 — Apr, 1997 (almost 3 years)

Commissioned, wrote and edited a wide range of articles for theatre programmes throughout the UK including: Theatre Royal, Bath; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; Theatr Clwyd, Mold; Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Portfolio

The Boer War. Two best friends. Divided by war. For fans of Wilbur Smith’s Courtney Series, Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge novels, Jeffrey Archer’s Clifton Chronicles and books from Tony Park, come... read more
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
BLOODLINE RUN

Chet Baker

A psychological suspense novel set in Colorado. Pete Longer's life is in a death spiral. His salvation, mysterious Sarah, who found Peter in a church pew, has gone missing. If he doesn't find ... read more
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
The Milan Contract

Stephen Franks

Lukas Stolz, an ex-East German maths guru is shot dead outside the Hotel Napoli in Milan. Lieutenant Raphael Conza of the Guardia di Finanza is presented with conflicting evidence and a potent... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Traitor Maguire

C R Dempsey

A traitor to some, a hero to others. It seems as if Eunan has succeeded beyond his wildest imagination. Once a lowly upstart, now part of the Maguire nobility and married to the woman of his d... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Of All Faiths & None

Tweeddale, Andrew

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Frozen Wrath (Broken Fang)

Goozdich, L. S.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Sometimes love needs a rewriteThe stunning romantic comedy from David Solomans, Winner of the 2016 Waterstones Children’s Book PrizeWith her debut novel, Happy Ending, JANE LOCKHART pulled off... read more
Copy Editing
‘Deftly entertaining … satisfyingly pushes all the requisite Agatha Christie-style buttons’- Barry Forshaw, THE INDEPENDENTAn original story from the creator and writer of the hit BBC One TV s... read more
Copy Editing
These selected terrors range from the speculative to supernatural horror, encompass the infernal and the occult, and include stories inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, Robert Aickman and Ramsey Camp... read more
Proofreading
Murder harboured no bigotry, no bias. It subscribed to no class system. In its gleeful, deadly way, murder turned a blind eye.Scandalous death sells papers. But as the media frenzy feeds on th... read more
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Introducing loveable dog detective Monty – the must-have book this Christmas!You might think that dogs can’t understand us…but you’d be wrong.Apart from an obsession with cheese, Monty is a pe... read more
Copy Editing
This complete guide to buying, selling and renting a home in the UK has been written by Ben West, whose has been property editor of the Daily Express and the Sunday Express, had a weekly prope... read more
Proofreading
‘an intense story of betrayal, danger and reconnection.’ – Obsessed with MyshelfA heartracing romantic suspense thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.It’s been four years since ... read more
Copy Editing
RESURRECTION! The hungry dead have risen. They shamble down the street. They hide in back yards, car lots, shopping malls. They devour neighbors, dogs and police officers. And they are here to... read more
Copy Editing
Black Diamond

Havana Adams

Two sisters.The PRETTY one.And the OTHER one…Abandoned at birth, identical twin baby girls lie side by side in an orphanage cot.Until the arrival of Hollywood film star Scarlet Wilde, desperat... read more
Copy Editing
The fourth gripping thriller in the Georgina McKenzie series.Amsterdam: a city where sex sells and drugs come easy. Four dead bodies have been pulled from the canals – and that number’s rising... read more
Proofreading
This revised and updated edition, brought to you by Britain's biggest-selling movie magazine, contains over 100 brand-new reviews including all the biggest and best films of the last 12 months... read more
Proofreading
THE BEASTStrange, twisted carvings and hideous gargoyles adorn the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurks within its storm-tossed turrets. For every bride... read more
Proofreading
This collection from Sherrilyn Kenyon features all the beloved Dark-Hunter short stories that she's written over the years, as well as a new, previously unreleased story! Stories that have bee... read more
Proofreading
Proofreading
St John wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelation over 1900 years ago in a cave on Greece's eastern Aegean island of Patmos. When a revered monk from that holy island's thousand-year-old monast... read more
Proofreading
The third in the fast-and-furious fantasy adventure The Legends of the Älfar: the worlds of the dark elves and the dwarves collide in what Malazan Empire calls 'Tolkien with a dash of Gemmell ... read more
Copy Editing
Lord Alec Knight, the most daring and handsome rogue in all of London, is a smooth-talking aristocrat who has left a trail of broken-hearted ladies in his wake. With his irresistible wit, luck... read more
Proofreading
In this intimate and engaging biography, Graeme Thomson interviews Nelson himself, his band and those who knew him best en route to discovering the real Willie Nelson. The Outlaw brilliantly d... read more
Proofreading
The price of betrayal is more than thirty pieces of silver.Two days after Jesus Christ's crucifixion, Judas Iscariot receives an anonymous note stating, I know what you did. Wrapped with it is... read more
Copy Editing
Sheila Moss moves into suburban Spartan Street to lead a quiet, respectable life with a handful of lodgers for company.But she soon discovers that her glossy neighbours, bored with their perfe... read more
Proofreading
Every parent’s worst nightmare… Eight years ago, Lucy and Ethan Randall’s little boy, Jack, was abducted and murdered by teenager Terry Prince. A moment’s distraction had ripped a family apart... read more
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Shanghai, 1928. The body of a blonde is washed up on the Beach of Dead Babies, in the heart of the smog-filled city. Seemingly a suicide, a closer inspection reveals a darker motive: the corps... read more
Copy Editing
The Locket

Jessica Blair

When Emily Thornton discovers a will linked with the murder of a sea captain in Hull in the 1860's, she is determined to discover what happened - but a vital witness is missing. So, Emily enli... read more
Proofreading
When Dr James Dalcott is shot dead in his cottage it looks very much like an execution. And as DI Wesley Peterson begins piecing together the victim's life, he finds that the well-liked countr... read more
Copy Editing
Diana: The Last Days

Martyn Gregory

Was Diana murdered? Was the British Royal family involved? Was she pregnant and engaged to Dodi? Did the paparazzi or 'a blinding white flash' cause the crash? Was driver Henri Paul really dru... read more
Proofreading
Obsidian Prey: Number 6 in series (Harmony)

Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle

Three months ago, Lyra Dore suffered a heartbreak and a hostile takeover - both at the hands of the same man. A descendant of her ancestors' fierce rival. Cruz Sweetwater charmed his way into ... read more
Proofreading
Inspector Singh is back, but this time on secondment to Bali. A bomb has exploded and Singh has been sent to help with anti-terrorism efforts. But there's a slight problem: he knows squat abou... read more
Copy Editing
Ex-Flying Squad cop Jake Moore's career was cut short by a bullet; ten years on, he runs a game fishing business that is about to go to the wall. But old habits die hard, and when cerebral Mom... read more
Proofreading
Copy Editing
‘Brilliant, life-affirming, perfect escapism.’HeatWhat if you had a second chance… to find yourself?Instead of slipping on her something borrowed and tripping up the aisle to wedded bliss, Geo... read more
Copy Editing
Yorkshire, 1927. Eclipse fever grips the nation, and when beloved theatre star Selina Fellini approaches trusted sleuth Kate Shackleton to accompany her to a viewing party at Giggleswick Schoo... read more
Copy Editing
Winning the 1992 Best Actor Oscar for his chilling performance as Dr Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs overwhelmingly confirmed Anthony Hopkins' star status.
Proofreading

Robin has 57 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dave B.

Dave B.

Apr, 2024

I asked Robin to complete a line edit and proofread my debut manuscript. I couldn't have found a better partner to polish my work for publishing. Robin made hundreds of edits and clarifications that made the MS much stronger. His communication was timely and complete. His knowledge of my subject matter was extremely beneficial in providing accuracy and detail. He found a way to make the finishe...
Read more
Robin S.
It was a pleasure, Dave, and I'm glad you enjoyed the collaboration as much as I did. I can see there's a lot more to come - here's to the next.
Daniel D.

Daniel D.

Apr, 2024

I will be reaching out to Robin for future work, and that’s perhaps the best testimony I can give. He’s professional, prompt, funny, and his insights into my manuscript simply made it better. The devil is in the details when it comes to writing, and Robin clearly combs through the details. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
Robin S.
Thank you for that, Dan. When a book is as well written as yours, the challenge is to find anything at all to correct or improve. The devil certainly was, as you say, in the details and I thoroughl...
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Kate T.

Kate T.

Mar, 2024

Robin's quote, for proofreading my manuscript, came in slightly higher than most, but you certainly get what you pay for. His comments on my except were educated and thorough, and this was why I chose to work with him. From the start his vast knowledge of the English language had me intimidated but I recognized how much I could learn from him, and have not been disappointed. Robin is meticul...
Read more
Robin S.
Thank you for your very generous review, Kate. The quality of your writing deserved and demanded the best attention I could give it, and it's gratifying to know you feel your book is the better for...
Read more
Jon P.

Jon P.

Jan, 2024

Great job :)
Sergey R.

Sergey R.

Jan, 2024

I enjoyed working with Robin. Quick and useful responses. Helpful comments. Will definitely work with him again.
Robin S.
Very happy to be of help, Sergey. Glad you enjoyed it too.

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