The author/editor

Meet Rachel

My life is all about stories! I edit fiction for authors and traditional publishers. I also write fantasy and romance books.

I have a degree in English and Creative Writing, and I started out as a book editor in 2017, quickly going full-time with my freelance business. Since then, my clients have included Big 5 publishers such as HachetteHarperCollins, and Penguin Random House. I also edit for Writers & Artists, one of the best industry platforms in the UK, run by Bloomsbury. I’ve worked on around two hundred books to date, including Amazon and New York Times bestsellers.

I’m also an author of fantasy and romance books myself. I’m represented by Thérèse Coen at Susanna Lea Associates.

I live in North West England with my husband and our two cats. When I’m not writing or editing, I’m usually playing video games, watching movies or Kdramas, or posting bookish things on Instagram.

The editorial assistants

Haru
Jesper
where i’ve been on the web

Guest posts and interviews

BBC News

interview

BBC feature in Working from home ‘has helped me make my career‘.

Pen to Published Series 4

podcast episode

Pen to Published interview on self-publishing versus traditional.

Pen to Published Series 5

podcast episode

Pen to Published interview on marketing yourself and your book.

The Publishing Post

interview

Featured in Upskilling Tips for Freelancing, talking about setting up a book editing business.

CIEP Meet the Members

interview

An interview with the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading about how I got started as an editor.

Dave Chats

interview

I discuss studying for a degree, how this helped me get into publishing, and balancing writing/editing.

editor life

Editing qualifications

Qualifications

  • Copyediting 2: Headway (CIEP, 2021)
  • Essential Proofreading (The Publishing Training Centre, 2018)
  • Introduction to Fiction Editing (SfEP, 2017)
  • Copyediting 1: Introduction (SfEP, 2017)
  • Proofreading 1: Introduction (SfEP, 2017)
  • BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing (2016)

Professional development

  • Trauma-Informed Editing (FOLD Academy, 2022)
  • Editing Memoir (Tanya Gold’s Courses for Editors, 2021)
  • Comma Press virtual publishing conference (2021)
  • Book Formatting Using Word Styles (Editors Canada, 2020)
  • CIEP virtual annual conference (2020)
  • Tolkien symposium on fantasy literature (2020)
  • Inclusive Language Series (ACES, 2020)
  • Editing for Young Readers (ACES, 2020)
  • Sensitivity Reads: What You Need to Know (Editorial Freelancers Association, 2018)

Fun facts

Forever On Repeat

video game soundtracks


favourite genres

fantasy and romance


favourite flower

cherry blossom


favourite season

autumn


My Happy Place IS

A bookshop or café


my must-watch movie

howl’s moving castle


favourite animal

cats


favourite place to read

an armchair by a window


want to get in touch?

Let’s chat