Manda Waller – Editor

"If you need an editor, Manda is your secret weapon."

"Manda's work is impeccable and BEYOND helpful. She is worth every penny."

"Manda made my words flow like hot chocolate."

I'm Manda - a friendly, supportive, cheerful best-selling fiction copy and line editor with over 20 years' experience. I offer non-judgmental editing in a safe space, and ensure that my feedback is constructive and encouraging - the idea being that you feel empowered to go on to write more (even better!) books.

I hold the highest professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading - meaning I have demonstrated my editing skills, my communication skills and my professional standards all meet their exacting standards.

As I work through your manuscript, I make sure that your words are as polished and engaging as possible. I always offer suggested solutions and draw examples from your manuscript to explain the more complicated points.

In 2025, I edited over 40 novels and novellas, ensuring that they were ready for either self-publication or submission to Literary Agents.

Apart from having a meticulous eye for detail and an excellent understanding of punctuation, grammar and spelling, I am also (more importantly!) helpful, positive and friendly.

My promises to you:

- I reply to all my messages quickly and honestly.

- I really do read every single word.

- I do not skim-read or cut corners.

- I return all my work within budget and on time, every time.

I edit using Microsoft Word, and track the changes so that you can see the alterations that I make and accept or reject each one individually (should you so wish!). If you aren’t familiar with using MS Word Track Changes, I can talk you through it.

In the course of editing your book, I would be looking at:

- General punctuation, spelling and grammar

- Point of view and head-hopping

- Overuse of stage direction

- The use of tentative language

- Overwriting

- Unnecessary adverbs

- Showing vs telling

- Excessive timeline nudges

- Character description

- Chapter and section endings and beginnings

- Action beats

- Tense

- Sentence length and rhythm

- Dialogue (and thoughts) formatting, punctuation, idioms, dialects and tags

- Anything else that you'd like me to look at (within reason!)

I hope this gives you a brief snapshot of me and the services I provide - but please do contact me with any questions. I'd love to help!

Manda