Mary Hargreaves - Editor
Mary Hargreaves is an author and editor with a decade of experience.
After writing her first novel, This Is Not A Love Story (Trapeze, 2020), she decided to take her editing career further and joined the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders, where she undertook a fiction editing course. Her second novel, Enough Already, came out in 2021, and her third, Two Doors Down, was published in 2024.
Mary writes women’s fiction, and has a particular interest in funny tales about imperfect women. She knows how hard the writing process is, and loves nothing more than helping talented authors make their work the best it can be.
If you’d like to work with Mary, 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
- Aiden Ainslie, author of the 'Love at Lake Clyde' series
- David Makinson, author of 'Just A One Night Stand'
- Anonymous
- David F.
- Bill M.
- Lucy A.
Why we love Mary
Mary is a meticulous editor who we’re lucky to work with. Whether you’re looking for a copy-edit to sort out the nitty-gritty of sentences, or a constructive detailing of how to make your manuscript as a whole shine, Mary is who you want on your team.
What Mary says about editing
As someone who knew nothing about the world of fiction publishing until I wrote my first novel, I know how overwhelming and mystifying the world of books can be. Writing a book is a solitary activity and I know first-hand that the next steps can be just as alienating. I love working with aspiring writers and being drawn into the worlds they have created. It is a big step to allow someone else into the story you have spent so much time and effort weaving, and I am always acutely aware of what a privilege it is to be given access. I love working closely with my clients, and my top priority is always to respect the work that has gone into a manuscript and to provide the absolute best service in order for it to reach its fullest potential.
I am a women’s fiction author, and have a particular love for stories about imperfect women. As well as manuscript assessments, I also take line-editing, copy-editing and developmental editing work.
What Mary works on
Manuscript Assessment
Developmental Editing
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Post-editorial guidance
Line-editing
Copy-editing
Proof-reading
Short Stories
Opening Section Review
Genres Mary specialises in
Mary's published books
This Is Not A Love Story
Maggie Gardiner’s life is a mess. After one particularly awful night, she makes a list. She will tick off each item and become Maggie 2.0 – a better, more desirable version of herself. What could go wrong?
Shortlisted for the RNA’s Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award.
Enough Already
Briony can’t get anything right. She’s anxious and certain that everybody hates her. After a catastrophe at work, she is signed off on mental health leave and joins a social anxiety support group. The people she meets there, and the experiences that follow, might teach her more than she ever imagined.
Sharply witty and highly relatable – KATE SMITH
Two Doors Down
Eve’s life is a constant juggling act between her successful, but fast-paced, marketing career, complicated friendships, and a revolving door of disastrous dates. But life would be fine . . .
If only her neighbour from two doors down would stop his cat getting into her house!
Adam’s life is on track. He’s a dedicated tutor, has a close-knit group of friends and a steady, long-term relationship. Except his girlfriend is distant, and he’s lost motivation for his job. But life would be fine . . .
If only his neighbour from two doors up would stop her cat getting into his house!
Eve tries to return Adam’s cat, but it becomes clear neither own ‘Old Sausage’. They have been duped by the antics of a stray. Despite his endearing presence in both their houses, he must be returned to his true owner.
As Eve and Adam start their search, they realise they have more in common than they thought, and when both are betrayed by those closest to them — Eve loses her job and Adam’s girlfriend leaves — they find that there’s more to life than just getting by.
And perhaps a new beginning was on their doorstep all along . . .
