Tom Witcomb

Tom Witcomb – Editor

Collaboration, support, honesty & value. Passionate about refining your voice & vision. 15+ years as Big 5 editor/coach/agent/ghostwriter.

Overview

As an editor, literary agent, and ghost-writer, I bring a rare mix of perspectives from across the publishing spectrum which means I don’t just see what makes a story work on the page — I understand what makes a project succeed commercially.

I can work with you at every stage:

- Developing ideas and action plans for a first draft through coaching and mentoring.

- Delivering manuscript assessments and deep-dive developmental and line edits.

- Supporting query packages with standout cover letters and sample chapters: with 10+ years at a leading London literary agency, I know what agents are really looking for and how to make a submission rise to the top of the slush pile.

- I can also guide you through self-publishing, from final proofread to metadata and pricing.

Every edit includes a follow-up call so you can ask questions and plan your next steps.

I see editorial work as collaborative, and pride myself on my honesty: I’ll never just tell you something doesn’t work — I’ll suggest clear, constructive solutions.

Whether your goal is traditional publication or self-publishing, I’ll help you sharpen your storytelling, develop your craft, and move confidently toward your dreams.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2020 — Present
After working in international publishing for over a decade as a literary agent at Blake Friedmann and then as a commissioning editor at Orion Publishing Group, Tom now works as an editorial consultant offering a range of services and helping writers across the world achieve their goals. He loves every opportunity to work with new authors and cater to their individual needs and can tailor packages to fit everyone. His real passion is editorial and development work - helping workshop projects, but also working projects up from first draft or from the seed of an idea and helping authors achieve their goals, making their manuscripts the best they can be.

Orion Publishing Group

Jan, 2020 — Jul, 2020 (6 months)
I worked with a range of commercial crime, thriller and historical authors.

Jericho Writers

May, 2019 — Present
I aid a rolling roster of authors who are all at different stages of their novels. I offer guidance and advice as well as more hands-on workshopping of their stories. It's a custom fit experience, and depends on what each individual needs.

Blake Friedmann

May, 2009 — Dec, 2019 (over 10 years)
I represented a range of authors, with a particular focus on upmarket and commercial crime/thriller fiction, as well as working with historical fiction and literary fiction authors. I was deeply involved with editing each manuscript that I represented - at both developmental and copy-editing level. Some of these I took on as submission drafts and worked with the author to polish their prose ready for an editor to buy, and some I worked on from the outset - helping an author work up the seed of an idea to fully realised novel.

Portfolio

The First Lie

Park, A. J.

'This explosive debut reels you in from the first page and never lets up. Sinister, unsettling and gripping.' The Sun A heart-stopping, gripping thriller for fans of C. L. Taylor, Karin Slaugh... read more
Developmental Editing
The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club

Foster, Richard

Ortac Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Cold Dish

Craig Johnson

'The characters talk straight from the hip and the Wyoming landscape is its own kind of eloquence' New York TimesAfter 25 years as Sheriff of Absaroka County, Walt Longmire's hopes of ending his tenure in peace are dashed when Cody Pritchard is found dead near... read more
One Eye Open

Paul Finch

If the lies don't kill you, the truth will An electrifying, high-octane thrill ride; the new must-read standalone from a Sunday Times bestseller. Dark, gritty and always at the edge of your se... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Good Samaritans

Carver, Will

White Butterfly

Walter Mosley

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 1993 GOLDEN DAGGER AWARD'In the crime field this is unquestionably the novel of the year' Literary Review'Perhaps the most important black literary figure to appear on the scene since James Baldwin's death' GuardianThe police don't show up ... read more
The only thing more dangerous than the cartels is the truth...In Ciudad Real, Mexico, a deadly war between rival cartels is erupting, and hundreds of female sweat-shop workers are being murdered. As his police superiors start shutting down his investigation, F... read more
Jack's wife is murdered. He has the chance to see justice done. But at what cost?Jack found the love of his life when he met Kate. But their happiness was shattered when she opened the door to a cold-blooded killer. He will never forget the face of the man who... read more
Proof of Life

R.J. Ellory

Stroud's best years are behind him. A former war photographer, he's seen things no one should have to see. He left the front line before his luck ran out.His best friend and mentor, Vincent Raphael, was not so fortunate. His car ran over an explosive device an... read more
Neon

G.S. Locke

A detective desperate for revenge. A hitwoman with one last job. A killer with both on his list.Detective Matt Jackson has reached the end. His beloved wife, Polly, is the latest victim of 'NEON' - a serial killer who displays his victims in snaking neon light... read more
February's Son

Parks, Alan

Tom has 67 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Paul S.

Paul S.

Mar, 2024

Pinned
Tom's work ethic and commitment to developing a story has far surpassed my expectations. I've worked with a developmental editor in the past and it was a very brief experience. I received a document showing what I should improve and that was it. With Tom, we met on multiple occasions via video ch...
Read more
Tom W.
Paul, Thanks so much for this review. I had such a fantastic time working with you, too, so I'm very glad to see the feeling's mutual! It was great to work on this over several rounds and really s...
Read more
Patrick G.

Patrick G.

Oct, 2023

Pinned
Tom surpassed any expectations I had coming into the editing process. As a first time author, I needed trusted guidance on many levels - from the big picture concept of the book to the minor details. He not only identified the points in the manuscript that needed improvement, but offered actionab...
Read more
Tom W.
Thanks for the review, Patrick! It was so great to work with you, and to see your manuscript grow over the months we were working on it. Best of luck for the future, hopefully we'll get to work tog...
Read more
Chris L.

Chris L.

Jul, 2023

Pinned
Working with Tom was an enlightening experience. He offered wonderful thoughts and feedback throughout the process and truly knows his stuff when it comes to editing. He gave me the perspective I was looking for, and helped me reposition the direction of my story in exactly the way I needed to br...
Read more
Tom W.
Hi Chris Thanks so much for the review. It's been a pleasure working with you on Wolfskin. -Tom
Bill N.

Bill N.

Dec, 2025

The review was done ahead of time! it was thorough and insightful, rich and clear in suggestions. Although only of my pitch material it gave me ideas for improvements to the entire novel. Tom was an ideal choice and I would turn to him again in the snap of a finger. snap! b
Nick J.

Nick J.

Nov, 2025

Tom is personable and professional, and good to work with. I found his comments to be incisive and clear, and helpful in terms of thinking about how to improve my manuscript. I would be happy to recommend him and to work with him again.

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