Zennor Compton – Editor

Looking for an honest and empathetic editor to make your non-fiction book shine? Whether you have the nugget of an idea, a full manuscript or anything in-between, I can help.

I spent 12 years working at Penguin and Macmillan where I published dozens of bestsellers; half of the books I published the year before I left Penguin hit the Sunday Times lists. Books I've worked on have won prizes, been bookseller picks, been translated in multiple languages around the world and featured on countless outlets from The Times and Radio 4 to This Morning. I've worked with first-time authors, seasoned writers, experts, celebrities and brands such as: Mark Ronson, Hayley Morris, Ashley James, Eva zu Beck, Monzo, BBC and many more.

I specialize in memoir, nature, travel and narrative non-fiction but I’ve also worked on self-development, journals, health, spirituality, history, humour… Even colouring books! I help authors realise their full potential by combining high editorial standards with clear commercial focus. I work creatively and collaboratively, always balancing respect for an author's voice with grounded understanding of what readers (and publishers) want and need.

I offer book coaching, editorial assessments, one-off consultations and developmental editing to help you reach your goals. If you're not sure which service you need, that's fine - let's talk about it!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Testimonials:

'Zennor has a genius for honing in on what the true story of the book is, where the focus should be. She seemingly instinctively senses the shape of a book with an omnipotence a writer too close to the page is unable to ... A sensible, sensitive guide with a gimlet eye for detail, gently nudging when a writer might have gone off course, while maintaining the all-important for a writer: faith and encouragement. I can say from experience that if she is your editor you are in a very safe pair of hands.' Jade Angeles Fitton, author of HERMIT

'Working with Zennor gave me the confidence to finally put pen to page and write my book. I’d already put so much of myself into the manuscript, but she helped me step back and see the bigger picture without losing my voice ... She asked thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable questions, but always with kindness and purpose. I never felt edited out of my own work; I felt more confident, focused, and clearer about what I was trying to say and why it mattered.' Ashley James, author of BIMBO

'Zennor edited two of my books with her intelligence, rigour and warmth and it was a genuine pleasure to have her believe in me not once, but twice. She combines forensic editorial precision with an instinctive understanding of voice, tone and audience. Every manuscript was sharper, funnier, and more confident because of her involvement. She is calm under pressure, exacting in standards, and a genuine pleasure to work with.' William Hanson, author of JUST GOOD MANNERS and HELP I SEXTED MY BOSS