Rebecca Horsfall

12th August 2020/in Children / Young Adults, Fiction /by James Grace

Rebecca Horsfall – Editor

Rebecca been a fiction editor and creative-writing tutor for well over a decade, working with upwards of 150 authors in a broad range of genres.

She is the author of the bestselling epic character-driven novel, Dancing on Thorns, which was published by Random House in the UK and USA to wide critical acclaim in 2005. Before that, she was a script supervisor and editor in the West End theatre for many years.

In addition to her own writing and editing, Rebecca has given lectures and masterclasses in fiction writing for a number of colleges and organisations and is a regular teacher at Jericho Writers’ Festival of Writing, running courses and workshops in topics that include character creation, plotting, problem solving, and literary style.

Many of Rebecca’s editing clients over the years have gone on to sign with agents and achieve publication. She is happy to work long term with authors on multiple manuscripts.

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Why we love Rebecca

We work with Rebecca as an editor and as a tutor. In both, she brings a passion for the written word and an extensive knowledge of the craft of writing.

What Rebecca says about editing

For me, the success of a novel depends primarily on strong storytelling and compelling characters. I have a sharp analytical eye for these aspects, and my aim for each editorial project is to arrive at a technically polished novel that firmly grips the reader, allowing space for your personality as a writer to shine through. This is the combination we want in order for your novel to attract agents and publishers.

However, my own experience as a novelist has also taught me that fiction writing is as much a challenge of confidence, belief and perseverance as it is a technical one, so it’s important to me to take a personal approach to editing that is supportive and solution-focused.

I bring a broad life experience and education to my work as an editor – academically, I trained in science and then (much later) in psychotherapy – and I greatly value the opportunity to edit many kinds of adult fiction alongside my work as a writer.

What Rebecca works on

Editorial Assessment

Agent Submission Pack

Post-Editorial Guidance

Genres Rebecca specialises in

Fiction:

Picture books
Children’s

Rebecca’s published books

Dancing on Thorns

Dancing on Thorns

When Jonni Kendal comes to London to pursue her dream of becoming an actress, she’s young, naive, full of courage and determined to excel. Just nineteen, she’s desperate to escape the narrow, parochial life her parents have planned for her.

Jean-Baptiste St. Michel is haunted by his father: the man who abandoned him as a child, the man he can hardly remember, the man he cannot forget. Driven by his determination to forge a life for himself outside of the shadow his father’s famous name casts, he’s ambitious, talented and dangerously attractive – but suspicious of emotional attachments.

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Testimonials

“Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into the review of Trewyn Bay. I really appreciate it. I can’t tell you how helpful it has been. You’ve given me clarity. I won’t trouble you with a call because I can’t think of anything you haven’t covered in your very detailed notes. It’ll be my ‘fix-it manual’ for the task ahead.”

– Claire

“Thank you for your report. Your suggestions were exactly what I needed and you have given me much to think about…! I now feel I have greater clarity and direction on where to go from here. I very much appreciated your candour and insight and wonder if you would be open to a repeat commission when I have finished?”

– Andrew

“I want to say thank you for taking the time and trouble to undertake the ms assessment. I appreciate it was a laborious task! I particularly appreciate that you understood the type of assessment I was seeking – and gave it to me. I’d spent a lot of time on this ms and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. A lot of what you said was really helpful and valuable advice, pointing out details I was either clueless about or made me think, OMG that’s right, or OMG, that explains this, that and the other problems I’ve had with this MS.”

– Jan

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Julie Hoyle

12th August 2020/in Children / Young Adults, Non-fiction, Fiction /by James Grace

Julie Hoyle – Editor

During a very successful teaching career spanning thirty-four years, Julie enhanced her editing skills while assisting students in reaching their goals before entering the publishing world.

Her copy-editing and proofreading experience in publishing is wide and varied. She edits fiction in a broad range of genres from crime to romance, from fantasy to comedy, short stories, poetry collections and children’s books She has worked on non-fiction texts and case studies in the areas of psychology, self-help and autobiographies. She has also worked on educational publications such as a new reading scheme, KS1, 2 and 3 maths workbooks, student planners and teaching posters.

Julie has written numerous book blurbs which have been complimented by the authors. She is a very conscientious worker, has a great eye for detail and always hits her deadlines.

Julie is married with a grown-up son. She is a keen Masters’ swimmer, competing in events all around the country and abroad.

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Why we love Julie

Julie is a detailed and thorough copy-editor who has earned her stripes in teaching. We love reading her editorial work – there’s always so much to learn!

What Julie says about editing

After teaching for thirty-four years I have entered a new career in the publishing world with passion and enthusiasm to help aspiring writers reach their goals.

I relish the challenge and reward of copy-editing and proofreading; working closely with authors to understand their needs and intents and also to have an impact on their work. I provide the author with easy-to-read detailed feedback, giving advice and suggestions with reasons for those choices so that the author can make informed decisions.

I am a meticulous worker, excelling in spelling, grammar and punctuation with great attention to sentence structure, readability and clarity. I have enjoyed working on a wide range of genres but especially enjoy crime, romance and children’s literature.

What Julie works on

Copy-Editing

Proof-Reading

Genres Julie specialises in

Fiction:

Contemporary
Literary (including ‘bookclub’)
Crime / Thriller / Action
Women’s
Romance & erotica
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Comic/Satire
Short stories & novellas
Picture books
Children’s
Young Adult

Non-Fiction:

Memoir/Autobiography
Other narrative non-fiction

Julie’s client successes

‘Scarcrow’ by Wayne Telford

Scarcrow

Who killed Angus Hard and why? Doctor Jack Lantern and his evil alter ego, Scarcrow, will not rest until the truth is uncovered. But nothing is quite what it seems and this leads to a battle for his very soul as a familiar evil arises to confront him.

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‘Sawson’s Quest’ by Charles Gratwicke

Sawson’s Quest

As he looked to speak to the coachman, those eyes alighted on Sawson and remained locked upon him whilst his mouth curled in a sinister smile. Sawson… caught the man’s look. He stood as if transfixed and shivered… and then the coach was gone and so was Sawson’s peace.’ Edward Sawson had arrived in a small village in the Downs some twenty-five years earlier with nothing but the clothes in which he stood. A mysterious and reclusive figure, Sawson was always on the lookout but he nevertheless had made a happy and peaceful family life for himself. Until a chance encounter destroys it all and makes him confess the remarkable and shocking events of his life that have put them all into the grave danger they now find themselves in…

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‘Variety – The Spice of Life’ by Bernard Peter Atha

‘City Crime’ by Ian Richardson

City Crime

When a body is found floating down the canal, Detective Chief Inspector David Gould of the City of London police is called in to investigate, and his inquiries lead him to a secretive travel agency.
Gould enlists the newly promoted Detective Sergeant Philippa Cottrell to go undercover but, soon afterwards, Neil Harvey – the high-flying owner with a mysterious past – is found shot dead in his office.

Gould and Cottrell work tirelessly to solve the case, drawing them into further murders, blackmail, drug dealing, a bitter family feud and a past that comes back to haunt…
With many suspects who have motive – the neglected wife, the belittled business partner, the scorned mistress, the humiliated daughter – this compelling, twisty page turner will keep you guessing right up to the end.

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Testimonials

“Julie’s strengths are her service-oriented approach, her attention to detail and her desire to complete her work to schedule. She’s a safe pair of hands and I gladly recommend her.”

– Aryanne O

“I hired several freelance proofreaders and I found Julie’s work was the most thorough; no dot or dash was left unattended. She proofread with a great deal of focus and an exceptional attention to detail. I was very pleased with her work and she is the first person I will contact for all my future proofreading. l would highly recommend anyone to hire Julie, if you require anything proofreading.”

– Sofia D

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Eleanor Hawken

11th August 2020/in Children / Young Adults /by James Grace

Eleanor Hawken – Editor

Eleanor is an experienced fiction editor and has worked on titles across the various children’s markets, from Young Fiction to YA. She loves discovering fresh talent and working with new authors to hone their story-telling skills.

Eleanor has had nine novels for children published under her own name. Her titles include Sammy Feral’s Diaries of Weird (winner of the Lancashire Library’s Fantastic Book Award 2014), Felix Frost, The Blue Lady and The Grey Girl. Eleanor has also written under the pseudonym Zed Storm, devising writing and working as a series consultant on the Will Solvit books. She has also written Book of the Film novelisations for movie studios, and countless activity and story books for various Disney films and franchises in her days as an editor in licensed publishing.

Eleanor is married with two young sons. When not writing, editing or helping with maths homework she loves nothing more than to practise yoga!

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Why we love Eleanor

It’s always a pleasure to read Eleanor’s reports. Enthusiastic and full of encouragement, Eleanor also offers a useful insight into the children’s and YA market.

What Eleanor says about editing

I have always loved stories, and am passionate about reading, writing and telling them. I remember vividly what it was like to be a rookie writer with no industry experience at all. Plenty of people helped me along the way, and now it’s a privilege to be able to help others.

Since beginning my editorial career I’ve had an eye for commercial children’s fiction. I’m particularly drawn to books that may appeal to reluctant readers – the more children we see with books in their hands, the better!

My passion and experience in how to create a commercial hook are key elements that I bring to editing.

I aim to look at each project with a view of how it could be the best possible version of itself. How can a book be funnier? Scarier? Better paced? How can we create characters that leap off the page and into the reader’s hearts? I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to work with new authors, helping them to hone their storytelling skills and begin their publishing journey.