Sophie Bradshaw

Sophie Bradshaw – Ghostwriter

Bestselling non-fiction ghostwriter/development editor of over 20 books for major publishers eg Penguin, Hachette & DK. Literary agent.

Overview

I am an intelligent and creative ghostwriter and developmental editor with 20 years' experience in commercial non-fiction.


I have worked in senior publishing roles in UK publishing houses and specialise in memoir, self-help, personal development, business,, lifestyle and health & wellness. I’m a former acquisitions editor and literary agent, so work with a commercial view as well as an editorial one.


I’ve worked with influential clients and big names and my books have achieved accolades like Radio 4 Book of the Week, major publicity campaigns, TV and film rights sales and stage adaptations.


I have a masters degree in Linguistics from Cambridge University and a wide knowledge in areas such as business, history, health, nutrition and popular science.


I am an intelligent and thorough researcher and will always offer ideas to structure and develop the content of your book, as well as make it more engaging and written with your reader in mind. In short, I care about your book as much as you do!


I am a member of The GhostWriter’s Association and also offer book outlining, non-fiction proposal writing and high-quality indexing.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits History Home & Garden Humanities & Social Sciences Nature Self-Help & Self-Improvement True Crime
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

The History Press

Jul, 2014 — Jun, 2017 (almost 3 years)
As Publisher for general history, I planned and implemented a successful publishing strategy, with full responsibility for the profit and loss of a trade publishing division. I have a keen sense of emerging trends, excellent people skills and an intuitive understanding of the global book publishing market. This enabled me to use the contacts I have built up in the industry to develop my list into a commercially viable section of the business. I managed a team of four commissioning editors and commissioned between 10 and 12 titles of my own each year.

Self-employed

Jun, 2008 — Jun, 2014 (about 6 years)
Following the birth of my children, I worked as a freelance commissioning editor of illustrated non-fiction, history and military history titles, originating and developing new series ideas, commissioning books to order and consulting on publishing strategy. During this time I had a proven track record of initiating new and innovative ideas and following through with strong business plans. I commissioned authors to write to a specific brief for my nostalgia series A 1950s Childhood, which has sold over 300,000 copies to date.

Tempus Publishing

Oct, 2004 — Jun, 2008 (over 3 years)
This role involved commissioning and project managing a list of over 40 titles per year. I also worked with charities, museums and other companies on licensing agreements, licensed foreign rights deals, worked with agents and authors to negotiate contracts, and ensured the ongoing performance of the backlist through paperbacking frontlist titles and managing automatic stock replenishment systems and reprints. I managed editorial staff to ensure projects were brought in on time and to budget. I was responsible for negotiating print quotes, picture fees and author advances, as well as liaising with internal sales and marketing staff in order to get the most out of the product.

Self-employed

Aug, 2002 — Jun, 2006 (almost 4 years)
I wrote recipes and regular food columns, including restaurant and hotel reviews, for several newspapers and magazines, including Derbyshire Life, Cotswold Essence, The Burton Mail, The Bath Chronicle and The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. As a writer for Cotswold Essence, I was responsible for sourcing ideas, researching and developing them into reader-friendly content.

Self-employed

Jun, 2017 — Present
I am a writing coach, ghostwriter and editor. Through one-to-one coaching, bespoke book planning workshops, group courses and ghostwriting, I help non-fiction authors who want to write a book but don't know where to start. I also offer structural editing for authors who have a finished or partial draft that needs substantial work. I am an experienced indexer and food writer.

Portfolio

What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?: Creating a Meaningful Life in Uncertain Times

Oshman, Michal

Book Ghostwriting
Fix Your Fatigue: 5 Steps to Regaining Your Energy

Antram, Karina

Book Ghostwriting
The Boy with Two Hearts: A Story of Hope

Amiri, Hamed

Book Ghostwriting
Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World

Lama, Dalai

Indexing
Decode Your Fatigue: A Clinically Proven 12-Step Plan to Increase Your Energy, Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life

Howard, Alex

Indexing
Scotland Yard’s History of Crime in 100 Objects

Alan Moss

Explore Britain's dark criminal history through the fascinating objects that have been hidden away in the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard, a collection that, although world-famous, is so sensiti... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Sisters of the Somme: True Stories from a First World War Field Hospital

Penny Starns

With First World War casualties mounting, there was an appeal for volunteers to train as front-line medical staff. Many women heeded the call: some responding to a vocational or religious call... read more
Developmental Editing
Animal Kingdom: A History in 100 Objects

Jack Ashby

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
In Search of Anne Brontë

Nick Holland

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
A 1950s Childhood: From Tin Baths to Bread and Dripping

Paul Feeney

1950s Childhood
Developmental Editing

Sophie has 7 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Keith F.

Keith F.

Mar, 2024

I really had a great experience with Sophie, and she worked HARD on my book drafts. Her first round of edits included more than TEN THOUSAND changes in Word. When I expressed amazement at her dedication, she remarked that she was surprised at how LITTLE editing she had had to do, so lord knows ...
Read more
Rick G.

Rick G.

Oct, 2021

Sophie was great to work with in developing the index for my book. Ever the professional, her communications were clear and helpful. Equally important, she delivered on all of her commitments on time. I would definitely work with Sophie on other projects.
Nicky B.

Nicky B.

May, 2021

I enjoyed working with Sophie as she made me look at my manuscript with fresh eyes. By implementing the changes the book is in better shape than when we started, Thanks Sophie
Marc R.

Marc R.

May, 2020

Sophie does excellent work and is completely reliable.
Nader S.

Nader S.

Aug, 2019

To give a balanced review here: 1. She started with a good vibe, and then took her sweet time in which I thought serious progress was taking place 2. Much later down the road i found not enough work was done to spec 3. When it was address she give it a good initial effort 4. As i provided more cl...
Read more
Sophie B.
This collaboration was cancelled at my request due to unreasonable requests from the author.

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