Sophia Blackwell – Editor

- I've been working in publishing for almost 20 years, and freelance editing for over twelve. I'm an experienced editor of fiction and non-fiction whose projects include books from Penguin, Bloomsbury, Oxford University Press, Duke University Press, Pearson, Zed Books and Unbound. I help self-published authors find their voices and create a final book they can be proud of. I am also a writer published by Bloomsbury and have been nominated for the Polari Prize. Highlights of my editing work include:

- The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric, Penguin
- The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (5+ years on the staff)
- Two books in the Sun, Moon and Stars romance series by Frances M. Thompson
- Two books on music by Geoff Baker from Duke University Press and Oxford University Press
- Three books in the Writers' and Artists' series: Publishing for Children and YA, Self-Publishing and Getting Published

For every manuscript I work on, I provide ALL of the following:

- Copy-editing and line editing (identifying typos and other errors and correcting them)
- Developmental editing and structural editing, including a 4-5-page editorial assessment Word document
- Suggestions on next steps including marketing and publicity
- One Zoom session to discuss and clarify feedback
- The opportunity to reach out to me again within a year for no extra cost

My clients say:

Sophia is undoubtedly one of the most skilled editors I have worked with over the past decade. She's extremely insightful in relation to structure, content and style, as well as being an eagle-eyed copy editor. We've worked together on multiple fiction and non-fiction projects for the major UK and international publishers and each time she has performed wonders with the manuscript. Sophia is also one of the most efficient editors I know - the job is always done on time and to the highest standards.
- Author, published by Penguin, Profile and Unbound

Sophia worked with me on my novel, which was published by Unbound. Her structural and copy-editing skills are thorough and thoughtful, with great attention to detail, and her approach to delivery was timely and effective. She was a pleasure to work with and I have no reservations in recommending her editing services.
- Author, published by Unbound and now Hachette UK

Having worked with Sophia for several years in-house at Bloomsbury, I’ve sought her out several times on a freelance basis and am always thrilled with her wonderful expertise, excellent ideas and unfailing reliability. I always look forward to the next time we can work together.
- Former Routledge, HarperCollins and Bloomsbury in-house editor, now freelance editor and writer

My own poetry, fiction and non-fiction have been published by Bloodaxe, Bloomsbury, Burning Eye, The Emma Press, Limehouse Books, Mslexia, Nine Arches Press, Poetry News, Writers Online and Writers’s Forum. I was nominated for a Polari Prize in 2019 for my third poetry collection, ‘The Other Woman,’ from Burning Eye Books.

Let me help you make your book the best it can be!