Wes Brown - Editor
I am a writer, editor, and lecturer. I specialize in literary fiction, auto-fiction, memoir, sports, speculative and creative nonfiction.
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Overview
As a published novelist, critic, short story and writer, I know the value of feedback and mentoring. I work with authors at all stages in life and development. Most importantly, I only take jobs based on whether I feel my skills can contribute to your development and if I can see the potential for the kind of writing I love. I specialize in literary, autobiographical, sports, speculative and creative nonfiction. I have written for the Times Literary Supplement, Literary Review, and New Humanist.
I am a CHASE PhD scholar in narrative non-fiction and teach English & American Literature at the University of Kent and teach modules in creative writing at the City Lit and University of East London. I have worked as an English teacher for an academy trust. I was also a senior bookseller and events manager in Borders books.
Before this, my background was in publishing as the founding editor of Dead Ink Books and The Cadaverine, chair of the Society of Young Publishers in the North & Midlands, and young writers' co-coordinator at the National Association of Writers in Educations.
My novel autobiographical novel, Breaking Kayfabe, explores narrative theories of identity and questions of authenticity through the fictionalisation of my time as a pro wrestler. It will be published by Bluemoose in 2023.
I have developed raw talent to a professional standard and former students and clients have gone on to become published and prize-winning authors.
What I offer:
• Bespoke feedback and services based on your needs
• I do not 'force' my artistic ideals on writers, I help them find their own
• I am friendly and professional - my job is to help you
• As a school teacher, lecturer and editor, I am able tailor my approach to best suit your ambitions
• Fifteen years experience in the literature sector
• An understanding of the book trade from the perspective of a writer, a publisher, and a bookseller
I am a CHASE PhD scholar in narrative non-fiction and teach English & American Literature at the University of Kent and teach modules in creative writing at the City Lit and University of East London. I have worked as an English teacher for an academy trust. I was also a senior bookseller and events manager in Borders books.
Before this, my background was in publishing as the founding editor of Dead Ink Books and The Cadaverine, chair of the Society of Young Publishers in the North & Midlands, and young writers' co-coordinator at the National Association of Writers in Educations.
My novel autobiographical novel, Breaking Kayfabe, explores narrative theories of identity and questions of authenticity through the fictionalisation of my time as a pro wrestler. It will be published by Bluemoose in 2023.
I have developed raw talent to a professional standard and former students and clients have gone on to become published and prize-winning authors.
What I offer:
• Bespoke feedback and services based on your needs
• I do not 'force' my artistic ideals on writers, I help them find their own
• I am friendly and professional - my job is to help you
• As a school teacher, lecturer and editor, I am able tailor my approach to best suit your ambitions
• Fifteen years experience in the literature sector
• An understanding of the book trade from the perspective of a writer, a publisher, and a bookseller
Languages
English (UK)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Philosophy
Sports & Outdoors
Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Dystopian
Literary Fiction
Short Story
Certifications
- PhD: Narrative Non-Fiction - Practice as Research
- MA Creative Nonfiction
Awards
- Arts Award Gold, Silver & Bronze Advisor
Work experience
Lecturer
University of Kent
September, 2019
–
Present
(almost 3 years)
I teach on the American Modernities: 20th Century American Literature module
Lecturer
City Lit
February, 2019
–
Present
(over 3 years)
I teach popular courses on Creative Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction: An Introduction, Autobiography into Fiction and Autofiction: A Taster.
Visiting Lecturer
University of East London
September, 2014
–
September, 2016
(about 2 years)
Module leader for Life Writing, Long Fiction, Professionalism and Publication, Dissertation support and publisher of an anthology of student work
Editor
The Cadaverine
September, 2010
–
June, 2013
(over 2 years)
Director
Self-employed
May, 2010
–
June, 2014
(about 4 years)
I founded and ran Dead Ink Books for four years. I developed new ways for authors to connect with readers, embracing new trends like E-Books and subscription / kickstarter models whilst maintaining a traditional sense of editorial value and vigour.
Work Placement
Penguin Books
June, 2008
–
June, 2009
(about 1 year)
Portfolio (11 selected works)
Shark
Wes Brown
LS13 is a snapshot of a generation of emerging writers working or living in Leeds today. The selection is diverse – from sea shanties about Clarence Dock to science fiction, social realism, concrete poetry, magic realism, flash fiction, a crime novel, rocket builders, dreamers, monsters and ice men – these are stories from Leeds, in Leeds and outside of Leeds, from the pens and imaginations of... read more
Wild Ink
Richard Smyth
Wild Ink is a blackly comic story of friendship and envy, love and memory, booze and uproar, secrets and scandal. Albert Chaliapin is dead – or at least, he feels like he ought to be. He lives in a world occupied only by the ghosts of his former life (and his nurse, who can’t even get his name right). Then, one day, his past – in the form of a drunk cartoonist, a suicidal hack and a corrupt Ci... read more
We believe in young writers – specifically those aged between 16 and 25 – no offence to the other – and want to give them a space to display their work. This can be fiction, poetry, literary reviews, and discussions about writing itself. We’re quite greedy! In the Monet issue you'll find new writing Sarah Fletcher, Hannah Bullimore, Andy Cook, Emma Forbes, interviews with Joe Dunthorne and Rac... read more
In this issue, you will find interviews with Aki Schilz, a brilliant writer and Editorial Services Manager at The Literary Consultancy. Aki speaks eloquenty about writing and a new TLC free manuscript appraisal scheme being offered to young writers run in partnership with the NAWE Young Writers’ Hub. We also grill one of the most existing emerging writers in the country, Sally Ashton, on her n... read more
Controller
Sally Ashton
"Controller is both fierce and fearless. It is a compelling, unblinking journey into the dark." Stephen MayHow far would you go to satisfy your desires? Sex and punishment, art and exploitation, Controller is the debut novella from one of the UK’s finest young writers.A young traveller finds herself in Northern Spain, working as an artist’s model. As her relationship with the artist deepens an... read more
Kosmonaut Zero
Richard Evans
A science fiction odyssey set in the retro-futurist Moscow of 1969.Marina Mernova, a KGB officer and older sister to little Leon, is given a simple mission: to find a missing scientist of high value to the Soviet space programme.1960s Russia is a land of rockets and shortages, a utopia with a paranoid underbelly – and Marina’s search uncovers a chilling experiment that will shatter the limits ... read more
LadyFest: Winning Stories from the Oxford Gender Equality Festival 2010
Angela Jackson, Kathy Keown, Rosalind Newman, Laura O"Brien, Sarvat Hasin, Kate Pocklington, Aimee Cliff, Farah Ghuznavi, Cherish Shirley
This DEAD INK anthology celebrates nine winning stories from the 2010 LadyFest Competition judged by Bidisha. Contributors include Angela Jackson, Kathy Keown, Rosalind Newman, Laura O'Brien, Sarvat Hasin, Kate Pocklington, Aimee Cliff, Farah Ghuznavi and Cherish Shirley. Competition judge Bidisha writes of the winning stories:WINNER: A Touch of Male by Cherish Shirley. "A Touch of Male was wr... read more
The Ruins
Danny Broderick
Deep in the ruins of a collapsed Spanish city, Estrella is trying to survive with the best skills she has – torturing men. But in the basement of Paco's bar, her victim is making life difficult with his outrageous requests. Meanwhile, upstairs, her landlord is demanding overdue rent and the washed-up locals are getting abusive. Danny Broderick's beautiful and melancholic story of love and desi... read more
Wes has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Wow. If I could give Wes even more stars I would. His feedback was extremely thoughtful, detailed and, most importantly, actionable. Having worked with Wes, I feel like I have the roadmap I need to get my first draft into final shape. Highly recommend!
susan carpenter, September 2020
What can I say, the man knows his stuff! Wes is an exceptional editor, punctual and generous. If your going to hire an editor, hire Wes. He'll show you the big picture, and give you excellent advice.
Carlos Rodriguez, August 2020
I greatly appreciate the assistance Wes Brown has provided on my project to date. I originally approached him with a draft for editorial assessment, one that I was struggling to take further within the limits of my own imagination and writing talents. From reading his report he has shown all the qualities I was hoping to find in an editor. Specifically he applied his experience both as a writer...
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David Turner, April 2020
I had no idea of the value that an editor could bring until working with Wes. Recommend very highly
Susannah Wild, August 2019
Wes’ editorial assessment of my first draft was spot on. He tore apart the rookie mistakes of my digressions, time shifts, POV, dialogue, and dramatic arc, suggesting a more cohesive…and more readable…structure. A clever story isn’t enough by itself to get published, he pointed out. A novel is formulaic and must abide by established rules to avoid confusion and provide reader satisfaction, elem...
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Bob Stafford, July 2019
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