Becky Stradwick – Jericho Writers
Jericho Writers
167-169 Great Portland street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF
UK: +44 (0)330 043 0150
US: +1 (646) 974 9060
Becky Stradwick

Becky Stradwick - Editor

Becky has worked in the industry for 23 years, as a publisher, literary agent and bookseller.

As Editorial Director at Penguin Random House, she published authors such as Susan Cooper, James Dashner, Jason Segel, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Damian Dibben, Ellie Irving, Fox Benwell, Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie, Lauren Kate, John Stephens, Heather Demetrios, Rosemary Clement Moore and Michael Scott.

As literary agent at Darley Anderson’s, she represented authors including Phil Earle, Michelle Harrison, Carmen Reid, Jenna Burtenshaw, Rob Stevens, Adrienne Kress and Lisa Clark.

Before this she worked as a bookseller, managing Books etc branches, before becoming Head of Children’s books for Borders UK, where she won Children’s Bookseller of the Year two years running. She has written for THE ARTISTS AND WRITERS YEARBOOK, THE BOOKSELLER and PUBLISHING NEWS.

Some of her favourite authors include Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman, Jonathan Stroud, Akwaeke Emezi and Elizabeth Wein.

Her all-time favourite books are THE BORRIBLE TRILOGY by Michael Larrabeiti, WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams and HIS DARK MATERIALS by Philip Pullman.

Testimonials

I have been a professional freelance writer for nearly 40 years (!) and of all the editors I have ever had, Bek is, and continues to be, my favorite. She is respectful of my voice, my vision, and my work. She has never tried to change me or mold me into anything or anyone else. Instead, with a clear eye, a brilliant grasp of story and craft, and a warm heart, she has led me to places in my writing I didn't know were there all along, inside me. Thoughtful, kind, yet direct and specific, her editorial guidance has been one of the highlights of my career. She is truly my dream editor, and I cannot express the deep gratitude I feel toward her. I appreciate her more than I can say, and anyone who works with Bek Stradwick is fortunate beyond the telling. 

Nancy Holder, award-winning NYT Times bestselling author.

I loved working with Becky, who delivered constructive criticism with good humour and sensitivity. She was adept at pointing to the parts of my manuscript that were strong, while also highlighting exactly what was needed to raise it to the next level.

Kirsten B

Becky was very sensitive in her critique and extremely professional in her comments. “Less is more”, she pointed out, because I do tend to waffle on and, in retrospect, the word count was horrendous, there were far too many characters and there was a lot of repetition. Becky was ever so supportive and encouraging. Actually, she was more than that, because she was extremely nurturing, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

Cynthia T

Bek Stradwick did a developmental edit on my children's fantasy novel. It is my baby and I've been working on it for over a decade so it was hard to hand it over. Bek was nothing short of brilliant. She didn't just provide me with invaluable feedback, she encouraged me to keep going and gave me some inside tips on the publishing industry and how to get an agent. She treated my manuscript with care and attention, was generous with her time, and was highly professional. I felt like she really understood the heart of my book and was rooting for me throughout. If you are looking for a thorough, professional and communicative developmental editor who gives it their all, look no further than Bek!

Daniella Blechner, author and founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing

Becky is brilliant—flexible, friendly, and somehow manages to deliver the harshest critiques in such a way that you end up thanking her for it! Her insights were spot-on and professional. No doubt I'll be using her services again.

Abdellatif

Becky is an excellent editor and I'm delighted with the detailed, helpful, feedback she has given me and excited to get back stuck in!

Julieanne D

WHY WE LOVE BECKY

Combine winning industry experience with a real understanding of how books work and you get Becky Stradwick. Each report is detailed, constructive, and encouraging – with Becky in your corner you’ve got the tools you need to take a manuscript to a novel.

WHAT BECKY SAYS ABOUT EDITING

One of my happiest early memories was being taken to raid the senior school library, because I’d eaten every book in my primary school. It’s that hunger for stories that has guided my career ever since, and it’s always a thrill to be the first set of eyes on a book.

I love working with writers who are at the beginning of their careers, and enjoy coaching and supporting you through the editorial process.

My advice comes from a commercial as well as a creative perspective. I think my authors would consider me a firm but fair editor who knows when to push and when to coax, and I am collaborative, confident and kind in my approach to maintaining your voice and vision.

As publisher and agent, I’ve worked with hundreds of writers, from absolute beginners to Sunday Times and NYT bestselling authors. I specialise in YA and MG and am also happy to review your picture book texts.

I also offer developmental and line-editing, if you feel your work is ready.

Genres Becky specialises in

Fiction
Young Adult
Children's
Contemporary
Crime / Thriller / Action
Women’s

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