Sharon Zink

Sharon Zink – Editor

I am a novelist and editor, literary consultant and writing coach who specialises in assessing and editing fiction and mentoring authors.

Overview

I'm an award-winning published writer (my first novel was longlisted for The Guardian First Book Award), who is also an experienced editor, literary consultant and Martha Beck-trained writing coach. I've taught and mentored authors from beginners to veterans, helping them to polish their manuscripts, as well as brainstorming ideas and making the submission or self-publication process easier and more successful. Having worked for literary consultancies, editing companies and publishers worldwide, I am experienced in working across all genres, including fiction and non-fiction, and I am also conversant in various academic styles and versions of English. I look forward to helping you become the writer you were born to be.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Cultural & Ethnic Historical Fiction LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Short Story Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Young Poet of the Year
  • Writers Inc Writer of the Year
  • Longlisted for Guardian First Book Award
  • Longlisted for Mslexia Novel Competition
  • Shortlisted for Raymond Carver Short Story Prize
  • Shortlisted in New Writer Short Story Competition (three times)
  • Winner of Scariest Play in the Fringe (The Scotsman)
Certifications
  • Ph.D. English (London)
  • M.Phil. Medieval and Renaissance Literature (Cambridge)
  • B.A. (Hons) First class (top of subject - London)
  • P.G.C.E. Further and Higher Education (Greenwich)
  • Martha Beck-trained life coach

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2008 — Present

I have worked as a freelance editor, literary consultant, writing tutor and coach for over eight years and have thus gained vast experience, working on manuscripts of all genres and with authors from all over the world.

Having worked for a range of leading literary consultancies (including Cornerstones, Writers' Workshop and The Writing Coach), as well editing companies and publishers (such as Scribendi and Sidharta) , I have been able to refine my editing skills and combine them with my own writing experience to help my author clients become the writers they were born to be.

Indeed, several of my clients have gone on to sign publishing deals with major houses and many others have successfully self-published their books.

It's my greatest joy to help support my fellow writers as an editor, literary consultant and writing coach and I look forward to hearing from you.

Queen Mary, University of London, Birkbeck College, University of London, Kingston University and the University of Hertfordshire

Sep, 1998 — Jun, 2003 (over 4 years)

I specialised in studying and teaching Renaissance literature, but I also taught contemporary literature, critical theory, Medieval literature and nineteenth-century literature to undergraduates and postgraduates. This experience not only has given me a sharp editorial eye and sound understanding of the big picture when assessing manuscripts, but my long teaching experience has also helped me to offer thorough, but thoughtful feedback to my writer clients.

Portfolio

UNTHOLOGY NO.3 is the third in Unthank Books' series showcasing the finest short fiction from new and established writers. Like its predecessors, UNTHOLOGY No.3 lets the classic short story jostle for elbowroom with the formally unusual and the novelette. Its ... read more
What would you sacrifice to bring home the one you love?Ever since hairdresser Poppy Day married her childhood sweetheart, Mart, she's been deliriously happy. Now Mart is fighting in Afghanistan, and Poppy is counting the days until he returns. It takes one kn... read more
What Will Survive

Mark Gartside

Graham Melton was a normal fifteen-year-old until he met Charlotte Marshall over a can of warm lager at his best-friend's party in 1985. It was love at first sight, and teenage life was never going to be the same again. Two decades later, Graham is a single fa... read more
Engrossing work of character and psychologically driven literary fiction set in 'anywhere-ville' USA. The inhabitants of SHARONVILLE are forced to re-examine the truths they have lived by while a precious member of their community is lying in a coma.
"You can run from the laws of mankind…but the law of karma always catches you up."Turn a different corner, choose another path and destiny is not what it might have been.The Wrath of Karma rewinds to Chapter 42 of The Kiss of Karma.This time Ash makes a terrif... read more
The Kiss of Karma Fourteen-year-old Ash Choudhary lives with a drunken and abusive father in a counc....
A Perfect Home

Kate Glanville

Claire appears to have it all - the kind of life you read about in magazines; a beautiful cottage, three gorgeous children, a handsome husband in William and her own flourishing vintage textile business. But when an interiors magazine sends a good-looking phot... read more
The Letter

Kathryn Hughes

The #1 EBook Bestseller. Every so often a love story comes along to remind us that sometimes, in our darkest hour, hope shines a candle to light our way. Discover THE LETTER by Kathryn Hughes, the Number One bestseller that has captured thousands of hearts wor... read more
The Last to Know

Mark Gartside

It only takes one person to destroy a marriage . . . They were the perfect family unit, Tom, Sherry and their daughter Peggy. That was until Daniel Faber walked back into Sherry’s life. Never an ex according to Sherry, but Tom is concerned that Daniel wants mo... read more

Sharon has 22 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Francesco J.

Francesco J.

Aug, 2021

Very unhappy with the service and the continued delays to receive a response. find someone else who won't put your hard work on the back burner.
Rana F.

Rana F.

Mar, 2021

It was highly uncomfortable working with Sharon. I am a first time author and feel that I was not given proper guidance towards improving my manuscript. She did not finish edits on my manuscript and took well over 5 - 6 months to return my work back yo me, I know that this is due to ill health but I wished that she had been honest with me from the start. To add to that I also feel that she ...
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Ricardo N.

Ricardo N.

Jan, 2021

The time and effort Sharon put into shaping my story to the best version of itself cannot be understated. Her edits as well as additional guidance with the writing process makes collaborating with her well worth it. Definitely recommend.
Lize D.

Lize D.

Nov, 2020

Sharon has given me some really meaningful feedback on my manuscript that has helped to to elevate my story. She has a key understanding of the topic and a feeling for the nuances that matter and how to tailor that to a specific target audience. Besides this she always made me feel valued as a writer an I appreciate her commitment to helping me make this story work. I have enjoyed the collabora...
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Emily P.

Emily P.

Nov, 2020

Dr. Zink’s editorial assessment was everything I hoped for and more. I received very clear feedback and direction and I look forward to working with her more in the future.

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