X

Full manuscript editing now booking into 2026
Skip to content
Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
Instagram
  • Home
  • AboutExpand
    • About Rachel
  • BooksExpand
    • Nethervale series
    • Cat café
    • Translations
  • Editorial servicesExpand
    • Editorial services
    • Testimonials
    • Portfolio
  • ResourcesExpand
    • Writing resources
    • Editor resources
    • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author

word count

Word count, how long should your novel be?
Advice for writers | Getting published | Literary agents | Writing

Word count: How long should your novel be?

Read more Word count: How long should your novel be?Continue

Hi, I'm Rachel! I'm an editor and a published author. On this blog, you'll find tons of advice on writing and getting published – based on my own writing journey and an eight-year career as an editor. New posts are added regularly. Enjoy!

more about me

Follow blog

Follow the blog and receive notifications when I post new writing advice!

Topics

  • Advice for writers
  • Author Journeys series
  • Book news
  • Character development
  • Editing
  • Fantasy writing
  • Freelancing
  • Getting published
  • Literary agents
  • Mindset
  • Proofreading
  • Romance writing
  • Self-publishing
  • Social media
  • Story development
  • Traditional publishing
  • Trope Tuesday
  • Working with an editor
  • World-building
  • Writing
  • Writing craft
  • Yearly roundups

My books

  • Snowed In at the Cat Cafe
  • Cake Off at the Cat Café
learn more

Services for authors

copy/line editing manuscript assessment developmental editing submission packages

Some of my editing clients

  • The Girls Are Good by Ilaria Bernardini
  • Love at First Knight by Megan Clawson
  • The Wise One by K.T. Anglehart
  • The Twin Flame by K.T. Anglehart
  • The Book of Martyrs by various authors
  • Darkness in the Blood by Guy Haley
  • The Wolf king by Lauren Palphreyman
  • The Other Ones by Fran Hart
work with me
Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association

Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! ✨️ This Homeward Ache by @amybaiklee – a beautifully written book on why we feel a mysterious sense of yearning/longing for something that always feels just out of our reach. Reminiscent of C.S Lewis's non-fiction writings (but better, in my opinion!), this book explores the longing for a home beyond the world we inhabit. It was gorgeous. Profound, thought-provoking, and very comforting to me. A Sign of Affection by @morishita.suu – I love this manga series! And manga is ideal for reading after surgery since it's heavy on art, and not too wordy. This series has the most adorable and wholesome love story I've ever read. We follow college students Itsuomi and Yuki. Itsuomi is a keen traveller and multilingual and Yuki is deaf. These two help one another navigate life and challenges as they fall in love. It's very sweet. -- What have you been reading lately? 📚 I hope to get back to writing soon myself too!
Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on my lunch break. 🌲🍃 Some much-needed trees and blue skies to soothe the soul!
A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛ A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛️ This is something I've been reminded of constantly lately as I've been facing a lot of personal challenges and I've sort of distanced myself from some elements of social media as a result. There is so much we don't share online. I value my privacy, so I often don't talk about my personal struggles – that's not to say they don't exist. Remember, when you look at social media, the cliche really does apply that you're seeing a highlight reel. You might be sitting there comparing yourself and wondering why you're not as successful or having as much fun as that person, but beneath all of that, they could be grieving, or dealing with family issues, housing problems, health problems, loneliness – anything! Even relationships on social media can feel manufactured. Liking posts isn't the same as connection. This is part of why I made the cat café series so focused on places where people can come together. We need them. It's not easy to find places like that in real life, but I think it's important we try. Even if it's just a book club, a writing group, a class, or a favourite café. I'm sharing this in case anyone needs to hear it too. And I hope whatever challenges you are facing, you have some support (even if just in the form of a furry friend). ❤️🐱
Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer yet? I heard the baker Clem has been whipping up some delicious cakes... 🐈☕️🧁 (Yes this post is an excuse for me to post a photo I took in April during the time of the cherry blossoms flowering, then promptly forgot to share... 😂) #cakeoffatthecatcafe #rachelrowlands #romancebooks #romancereads #sweetromance #catsagram
What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catp What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catpurrcino Cat Café... ☕️🐈‍⬛️ On a more serious note, I'll soon be revising the third book in the cat café series! I'm having surgery next month, so revisions are not going to be as quick as I would have liked them to be, and I've had to rearrange many of my editing projects (if you are a client of mine, the support and understanding has been SO appreciated ❤️). I was feeling overwhelmed about it all this morning as I was taking Haru to her yearly health check at the vet. She hates going and was not happy with me for being put in her carrier! But when we got home? She was so happy to be back and immediately bounced back, nuzzling my hand and being her usual sweet, happy self. (Before heading off for a nap...) Cats can teach us so many life lessons about bouncing back! She reminded me of that today. I can't bring her to hospital with me but I can try to be more Haru... Maybe a topic for a future newsletter... 😉😂

Explore

  • Books
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Media

Privacy policy · Editorial services terms and conditions

Copyright © Rachel Rowlands 2025 · Theme: Hearten Made

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Other commissions may be earned for purchases made through affiliate links on this site. Read disclaimer.

Scroll to top
  • Home
  • About
    • About Rachel
  • Books
    • Nethervale series
    • Cat café
    • Translations
  • Editorial services
    • Editorial services
    • Testimonials
    • Portfolio
  • Resources
    • Writing resources
    • Editor resources
    • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Search