Editor
Novelist and writing coachAnastasia Parkes
Anastasia Parkes is an author with multiple creative personae. As Anastasia she has published a short story collection (Stabbing the Rain, 2013), and writes ‘human interest’ articles for The Times, The Daily Mail, The Lady, and The Tablet. These articles tackle, with humour and honesty, intensely personal topics such as single motherhood, older parenthood, living with multiple sclerosis, and life as a young English teacher in 1980s Cairo.
She has written two novels under the pseudonym Maria Lucas: Daddy’s Girl (2016), and Loved Ones (2017).
As Primula Bond she is the successful author of the classy and explosive erotic romance Unbreakable trilogy The Silver Chain (2013), The Golden Locket (2013) and The Diamond Ring (2014), published by HarperCollins. Primula has delivered workshops at the York Festival of Writing and Eroticon in Bristol on how to write sex scenes and Anastasia has taught general short story techniques.
Anastasia has an MA in English Literature. She has worked as a Jericho Editor for over 10 years, covering a range of fiction and non-fiction genres.
Find Anastasia on Twitter/X here: @AnastasiaParkes
Find Primula on Twitter/X here: @PrimulaBond
If you’d like to work with Anastasia, get in touch with our Writer Support team; tell us about your book and what you’d like support with, and we’ll help you identify your next steps.
Can't recommend more
- Jane S.
Excellent
- Pippa B.
Very perceptive
- C. M, author of Whispers of Hope
Seized the issues and suggested solutions
- Kate W.
Immensely useful
- Natalie C.
Very helpful
- Alice C.
Really getting my money's worth
- Liz F.
Thorough, detailed and comprehensive
- Lisa. W
Truly blown away
- Shannon F
I feel inspired to continue my efforts
- Jill
In perfect shape to sell
- Liz F, author of The Good Woman's Guide to Making Better Choices
Hit the nail on the head
- Kit Roberts Johnson, author of Frozen Voices: A Speech Therapist's Alaskan Memoir
Exactly the kind of feedback I needed
- Susan A
A breath of fresh air
- Marcy F
Manuscript Assessment
Published by Affirm Press
Anastasia worked with Liz Foster on a Manuscript Assessment for The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices, which went on to be published by Affirm Press (part of Simon & Schuster Australia).
Manuscript Assessment
Published by Penguin Random House SEA
Chris Mabey worked with Anastasia on a Manuscript Assessment for Whispers of Hope. Since this, Chris has gone on to be published by Penguin Random House SEA.
Manuscript Assessment
Successfully self-published
Since completing a Manuscript Assessment with Anastasia, Kit has gone onto successfully self-publish her memoir Frozen Voices.
Anastasia's specialties
Why we love Anastasia
Anastasia has been with us for over a decade and we’d be lost without her. She’s a thorough editor who writes detailed, bespoke reports for every single writer she works with. Her reports will give you the boost you needed regarding what’s working, and will give you the tools you need to iron out the rough patches.
What Anastasia says about editing
I have worked for Jericho Writers for a number of years now, firstly as their erotica expert but since moving away from writing erotic romance myself I now enjoy assessing wide-ranging literary styles. Not only does reading and critiquing the work of aspiring writers keep me learning the craft, it has honed my report writing skills and opened a fascinating door into the real and imaginary worlds of other writers who write for the love of it as well as with the ambition to be published.
My aim is to be constructive and encouraging, but also to be pretty tough because there are no half-measures or short cuts in an incredibly overcrowded and competitive market. The majority of aspiring writers write consciously or unconsciously from their own experience but (unless they are selling their work as a memoir) I want to help broaden their horizons and to teach the deceptively complex techniques which will turn the kernel of an idea into something polished and professional – and marketable. After all, we all want to share our vision but we also want to sell!
Underpinning this is my unapologetic insistence on accurate language and grammar which is why I go into great deal to pinpoint and correct errors or omissions.
What Anastasia works on
By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Anastasia.
Manuscript Assessment
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Post-editorial guidance
Copy-editing
Short Stories
Opening Section Review
Anastasia's published books
