Shanika Hyslop

Shanika Hyslop – Editor

Agent and former Big Five editor, specialising in book club, upmarket and literary fiction; experience editing Sunday Times/NYT bestsellers.

Overview

I’ve spent my career working closely with writers — first as an editor, and most recently as a literary agent — helping authors shape their manuscripts and navigate the publishing industry with confidence.

My background gives me insight into both the creative and commercial sides of publishing: what makes a manuscript compelling on the page, but also what catches an agent’s or editor’s attention in a crowded market. I love working with writers at every stage of the process, whether that’s untangling a tricky draft or sharpening a submission package.

I offer developmental editing, editorial assessments, and query letter reviews, combining an editorial eye with industry insight into what makes a manuscript stand out. I'm always happy to tailor my approach to your needs, depending on what will be most useful to you and your project, whether thats in-depth structural feedback, a collaborative discussion or light-touch polishing.

Above all, I want the process to feel supportive, energising and genuinely helpful — and to leave you feeling more confident about your work and where it can go next.

Services
Fiction
Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2021 — Present
I have been providing freelance editing services for 5+ years, working with writers of book club, upmarket and literary fiction. I'm drawn to character-driven novels that make us feel deeply, think critically, and contend with complex moral and social questions.

Madeleine Milburn Agency

Oct, 2025 — Present
Literary Agent representing book club, upmarket and accessible literary fiction across a variety of genres: women's fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, romance, suspense and magical realism. I also represented self-help and lifestyle: cookery, popular psychology, personal development, and mindfulness.

Penguin Random House

Oct, 2024 — Sep, 2025 (12 months)
Book editor working with bestselling and award-winning authors across lifestyle and self-help. Authors included Jefferson Fisher, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Simon Sinek, among others.

Bloomsbury

Jul, 2021 — Sep, 2024 (about 3 years)
Assistant editor working with bestselling and award-winning authors across upmarket and literary fiction. Authors included Gillian Anderson, William Dalrymple, Peter Frankopan, Cariad Lloyd, Wendy Mitchell, Johann Hari, Lara Maiklem, Reni Eddo-Lodge, among many others.

Curtis Brown

Jan, 2020 — Jul, 2021 (over 1 year)
Literary Agent's Assistant working across commercial, upmarket and literary fiction. Authors included Bonnie Garmus, Gillian McAllister, Claire Keegan, Jilly Cooper, Meg Mason, Alex Hay, among others.

Portfolio

Weyward

Hart, Emilia

Griffin

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

Garmus, Bonnie

Vintage

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Small things like these

Keegan, Claire

FABER AND FABER

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Tom Lake: A Reese’s Book Club Pick

Patchett, Ann

Harper Perennial

Developmental Editing

Shanika has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Thomas S.

Thomas S.

Jun, 2026

Pinned
Shanika delivered as promised and open my eyes with great suggestions which I have implemented. Her pricing was very fair for the scope of work I requested. I would use her again. Also, I had been using Fiverr in the past and not 100% happy with all of the representatives there. It was very hit...
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