Sara-Jade Virtue, Editor in London, UK

Overview

A versatile, creative and innovative publishing professional, I specialise in strategic brand development - from creating a killer pitch and synopsis for your novel to full structural and line edits - for authors writing in the women's fiction and romance space. I've worked with bestselling brand authors including Jackie Collins, Oti Mabuse, Milly Johnson, Santa Montefiore, Rachel Hore, Jane Costello, Heidi Swain and Paige Toon, and debut and award-winning writers including Julie Haworth, Jennifer Bibby and Jackie Fraser. I am a passionate advocate for love stories, and have been leading the #RespectRomFic movement since 2021.

Services

Developmental Editing

Copy Editing

Fiction

Contemporary Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction

Languages

English (UK)

Awards

WINNER - Publisher and/or Editor of the Year - Romantic Novelists' Association Industry Awards 2022
FINALIST - Editor of the Year - Romantic Novelists' Association Industry Awards 2023
SHORTLISTED - Romance Champion of the Year - Romantic Novelists' Association Industry Awards 2025

Work experience

Publishing Consultant and Freelance Editor

Self-employed

Jan, 2026 — Present

I specialise in strategic brand development for authors writing in the women's fiction and romance space. If you're a writer looking for expert guidance, I would love to help you achieve your goals. I am offering a range of services including first three chapter assessments, full manuscript developmental and structural edits, line editing, pitch and synopsis advice, and virtual sessions for ongoing support and feedback. I can tailor-make a package according to your needs and budget, so please do reach out to book an initial no charge/no obligation chat.

Brand Development Director, Adult Fiction

Simon & Schuster UK

Nov, 2019 — Dec, 2025 (about 6 years)

In my role in the Editorial team, I supported the Publishing Director in the strategic development of the Fiction list, acted as an ambassador for S&S across the industry, and as a commercial link between the Editorial, Sales, Marketing and Publicity departments. I used my market and competitor knowledge, and understanding of the Romance genre specifically, to identify and formulate growth plans, and make recommendations on publishing strategies for brand and emerging authors. I continued to develop and grow the #DigitalOriginals publishing programme and #OneDay open submission project, led the Jackie Collins legacy publishing programme, backlist rebranding activity on S&S’s leading commercial women’s fiction authors including Milly Johnson, Santa Montefiore, Rachel Hore, Jane Costello and Paige Toon, and many collaborations and partnerships including those with media, libraries, and literary festivals. I acquired and published a small stable of my own authors including Beverley Kendall, Claire Frost and Oti Mabuse.