Katy Massey - Editor
Katy Massey is an author and former journalist.
Her memoir, Are We Home Yet? (Jacaranda Books) was published in 2020 and was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize and the Portico Prize. In addition, her fiction and non-fiction has been widely anthologised, including Common People edited by Kit de Waal from Unbound, The Place for Me, published by Scholastic, and speculative collection Glimpse, from Peepal Tree Press. Her debut literary thriller All of Us Sinners (Little, Brown Book Group) won the ILP John Creasey Dagger 2025 at the Crime Writers Association Awards and was longlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize.
Katy has an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from Newcastle University.
Find Katy on X here: @TangledRoots1
If you’d like to work with Katy, get in touch with our Writers Support team; tell us about your book and what you’d like support with, and we’ll help you identify your next steps.
Testimonials
- Anon
- Thomas F.
- Aman K.
Why we love Katy
Katy has worked extensively as a mentor and publisher of over 50 novice writers across two anthologies: Tangled Roots and Who are we now? which reflect the diversity of modern Britain, and include contributions from Hannah Lowe, Blake Morrison and Diana Evans. Katy’s way with words make her an astute editor with a keen understanding of how to elevate an author’s work. She’ll get excited about your book and tell you how to improve it!
What Katy says about editing
I love writing – in fact, I’ve never done any other job – but it is difficult. Sometimes, very.
I worked as a journalist for years, but I really wanted to write fiction. I simply didn’t know how. I thought it was inspired, highbrow and out of reach.
I was stalled for years, until I found our something spectacular. Writing isn’t a ‘natural gift’. It is a skill. It can be learned. This was a revelation.
When someone who cares passionately really engages with your work the effect is amazing. They tune into your creativity and help you carve a path to achieving your goals.
I have worked with dozens of writers. (I am particularly strong on handling emotionally difficult subjects.) I love seeing how their confidence develops along with their work.
And of course, I read widely. I love memoir and fiction equally, but a really good central story is a must. Book club fiction probably best describes it – but I’ll read a cereal packet if there’s nothing else!
What Katy works on
Manuscript Assessment
Developmental Editing
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Post-editorial guidance
Short Stories
Opening Section Review
Genres Katy specialises in
Katy's published books
All Us Sinners
Winner of the ILP John Creasey Dagger 2025 at the Crime Writers Association Awards and longlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Described by Chris Whitaker as ‘a majestic debut’.
Leeds, 1977. A chill lies over the city: sex workers are being murdered by a serial killer they are calling the ‘Ripper’, the streets creeping with fear.
Tough, sharp, but tender, Maureen runs Rio’s, a clean, discreet brothel in the city. She’s a good boss who takes great care of her workers – especially her best girls, Bev and Anette. The Ripper may be terrifying girls who work the street, but at Rio’s the girls seem safer.
But when Bev’s sweet-natured son is found beaten to death, a figure from Maureen’s past, DS Mick Hunniford, shows up at her door. Does his arrival herald danger or salvation? And who can Maureen really trust?
The impressive and moving debut crime novel from huge new talent Katy Massey opens up a world we have rarely seen, at a time of great danger and drama.
Are We Home Yet?
Praised by Bernardine Evaristo as ‘a gem’. Shortlisted 2021 Jhalak Prize and longlisted 2021 Portico Prize.
Spanning the years from 1935 to 2010, Are We Home Yet? is the moving and funny story of a girl and her mother.
As a girl, Katy accidentally discovers her mother is earning money as a sex worker at the family home, rupturing their bond. As an adult, Katy contends with grief and mental health challenges before she and her mother attempt to heal their relationship. From Canada, to Leeds and Jamaica, and exploring shame, immigration and class, the pair share their stories but struggle to understand each other’s choices in a fast-changing world.
By revealing their truths, can these two strong women call a truce on their hostilities and overcome the oppressive ghosts of the past?
Common People
Anthology of Working-Class Writers.
The Place for Me
A Collection of short stories for young people about the Caribbean Windrush generation.
Tangled Roots
A collection of mixed race memoirs.
Who Are We Now?
A collection of true stories about Brexit