Sarah Busby - Editor
Innovative non-fiction editor, with 14 years' experience in publishing, specialising in business, psychology, design and health titles.
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Overview
After fourteen years in the publishing industry I understand what a commissioning editor is looking for and the importance of shaping content for the audience and market segment. With a background as a dedicated development editor before becoming a commissioning editor I specialise in nurturing authors, their ideas and their manuscripts to ensure they are polished, fit for market, and will catch the reader's eye.
I have experience in a wide variety of topic areas including business and marketing, psychology and counselling, health and nursing, sociology and social work, design and architecture, law, construction, information science, geography, politics and criminology. I have also worked across many book types and audience levels including professional and trade books, pedagogically-rich textbooks, specialist monographs and edited collections, and highly illustrated titles. More importantly I have a proven track record with esteemed publishers such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins and Palgrave Macmillan as well as smaller, institutional publishers such as the Royal Institute of British Architects.
I can provide tailor-made services from a critique of your book proposal to a 'deep' development edit of your manuscript, tackling structure, style and scope, and including a list of key recommendations. Alternatively, you may just need a consultation on how to approach publishers with your manuscript.
Most importantly, I will be there to guide you through the stresses and strains of writing your first book! It can be a tough but incredibly rewarding and unique experience and I'd like to be there every step of the way to make sure you achieve everything you want to.
I have experience in a wide variety of topic areas including business and marketing, psychology and counselling, health and nursing, sociology and social work, design and architecture, law, construction, information science, geography, politics and criminology. I have also worked across many book types and audience levels including professional and trade books, pedagogically-rich textbooks, specialist monographs and edited collections, and highly illustrated titles. More importantly I have a proven track record with esteemed publishers such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins and Palgrave Macmillan as well as smaller, institutional publishers such as the Royal Institute of British Architects.
I can provide tailor-made services from a critique of your book proposal to a 'deep' development edit of your manuscript, tackling structure, style and scope, and including a list of key recommendations. Alternatively, you may just need a consultation on how to approach publishers with your manuscript.
Most importantly, I will be there to guide you through the stresses and strains of writing your first book! It can be a tough but incredibly rewarding and unique experience and I'd like to be there every step of the way to make sure you achieve everything you want to.
Languages
English (AUS)
English (CAN)
English (NZ)
English (SA)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Architecture
Business & Management
Career Guides
Design
Earth & Space & Environmental Sciences
Law
Life Sciences
Medicine & Nursing & Dentistry
Political Science & Current Affairs
Psychology
Work experience
Freelance Commissioning Editor and Development Editor
Self-employed
August, 2015
–
Present
(almost 5 years)
As a freelancer I have worked regularly with the top publishers including Pearson Education, Palgrave Macmillan and HarperCollins as a commissioning editor and development editor.
Commissioning Editor
Royal Institute of British Architects
April, 2013
–
July, 2015
(over 2 years)
As commissioning editor I was responsible for titles in architectural history, architectural technology, career guides, health and safety and project management. I brought new authors to the press and helped to nurture and develop their ideas.
Commissioning Editor
Facet Publishing
May, 2010
–
December, 2011
(over 1 year)
I was responsible for commissioning and developing titles in information and library science for a professional audience. This included a wide variety of topics including teaching methods, digital preservation, legal issues, design, museums and heritage, management and information literacy.
Development Editor
Pearson Education
February, 2008
–
April, 2010
(about 2 years)
As a development editor I worked on prestige titles across a wide variety of topics including marketing, psychology, law and health. I worked closely with authors to define their concept and aims and develop each chapter for their intended audience with an eye on marketability and accessibility.
Assistant Editor, Social Sciences
Pearson Education
September, 2005
–
January, 2008
(over 2 years)
Portfolio (11 selected works)
Solving Product Design Exercises: Questions & Answers
Artiom Dashinsky
Practice your product design and UX skills. Prepare for your next job interview. Redesign the NYC metrocard system. Design a dashboard for a general practitioner. Redesign an ATM. Learn how to solve and present exercises like these, that top startups use to interview designers for product design and UI/UX roles. Today top companies are looking for business-minded designers who are not just foc... read more
The Library Marketing Toolkit
Ned Potter
This Toolkit provides you with everything you need to successfully market any library. As libraries continue to fight for their survival amid growing expectations, competition from online sources and wavering public perceptions, effective marketing is increasingly becoming a critical tool to ensure the continued support of users, stakeholders and society as a whole. This unique practical guide... read more
Marketing: Real People, Real Decisions
Michael R. Solomon, Greg Marshall, Elnora Stuart, Bradley Barnes, Vincent-Wayne Mitchell
Title: Marketing Binding: Paperback Author: Michael Solomon & Greg Marshall Publisher: Pearson Higher Education
21 Things You Won't Learn in Architecture School
Adrian Dobson
This is the designer's essential guide to implementing the new CDM 2015 regulations. It provides both a straightforward overview of the key changes and new duty holders, including the Principal Designer, as well as full colour diagrams and annotated plans which demonstrate how to apply the principles in the real world. As the regulations come into force it aims to reassure those fearing a chan... read more
Temporary architecture is flourishing in our urban public spaces. Branded 'pop-ups' and follies to provide a moment of light entertainment they are in fact borne of a long history of more holistic architecture that is subtly suggesting how we could live, work and play more harmoniously together. Featuring revealing interviews with 13 young, emerging and socially-minded practices from New York ... read more
Demystifying Architectural Research: Adding Value to Your Practice
Flora Samuel, Anne Dye
This practical, hands on introduction guides you through the basics of undertaking research in day-to-day architectural practice helping you to exploit the growing opportunities on offer. It explores how developing a research specialism can improve the quality of your projects, help to define your brand and generate new channels of revenue with innovative services for clients. The text is divi... read more
BIM Management Handbook
David Shepherd
Bim Management Handbook
What are the most important things a 21st-century library should do with its space? Each chapter in this cutting-edge text addresses this critical question, capturing the insights and practical ideas of leading international librarians, educators and designers to offer you a 'creative resource bank' that will help to transform your library and learning spaces. This is an innovative and practic... read more
Abnormal, Clinical and Forensic Psychology with Student Access Card
Dr David A Holmes
used very good condition
LeMone and Burke's Adult Nursing:Acute and Ongoing Care
Priscilla LeMone, Mr Ian Peate, Murilitharan Nair, Laureen Hemming, Karen Wild
Sarah has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
It was a great pleasure to work with Sarah, her help and feedback made my book a lot better!
marc vanschoenwinkel/Compassion to Lead ESB04634713, March 2020
Reply from Sarah Busby
Excellent, clear and detailed editorial assessment report including examples on improvements and suggestions. Good balance of critique as well as commendations.
In addition a commitment on follow up support on questions, insights and guide and tips on approaching agents and publishers.
Babs Omotowa, February 2020
Reply from Sarah Busby
Sarah did a great job from the get-go. This is my first manuscript. The material I am trying to write at a popular level is technically complex, and much guidance was needed. We collaborated seamlessly and mutually benficially before the actual developmental edit. Her comments and suggestions, which be reminded I am not obliged to agree with, were right on point, particularly at the connect...
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William VanMarter, January 2020
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Reply from Sarah Busby
From the outset Sarah was really easy to work with, she instilled confidence in us and our ability to deliver our first book. We know a lot about our subject area, but quickly learnt that is not enough to write a good book! It has been a transformative journey for my colleague and I, we have learnt so much. When we had the first 14 pages of her critique, we thought oh no! But everything she sa...
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Tracey Jefferies, April 2019
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Reply from Sarah Busby
Sarah brought a wide range of knowledge to my writing process. She made sure it was more universal, clear, and interesting. I loved her gentle but firm style, as she led me through the process as a true leader. Thank you, Sarah. I hope to write another book and work with you again!
Kate Galt, October 2018
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