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Writing Tips Oasis

Writing Tips Oasis - A website dedicated to helping writers to write and publish books.

5 Top Book Editors in South Africa

By Madalina Olteanu

book editors in south africa

Please note: This article contains affiliate links to Reedsy. That means Writing Tips Oasis receive a small % of the sale if you hire the services of any of the following editors, or another professional on Reedsy, but at no extra cost to you.

If youโ€™re searching for book editors in South Africa, weโ€™ve featured 5 below.

 

1. Lizette Balsdon

Lizette Balsdon is a professional book editor working in South Africa. The experience freelancer editor holds a certificate in creative writing and is able to do copy editing and proofreading on books written in South African, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian, and British English.

Lizette Balsdon can help with editing your literary fiction, thriller, womenโ€™s fiction, non-fiction biographies, career guides and Christian non-fiction, among others. Take a look at some of her past edits, such as โ€œA Motherโ€™s Courageโ€ by Suzy Milhoan, โ€œDemons in the Cellarโ€ by Tim Ebl, and โ€œHow to be a DIVA at Public Speakingโ€ by Shola Kaye.

Contact Lizette Balsdon today.

 

2. Nkhensani Manabe

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nkhensani Manabe is a professional freelance book editor who has been self-employed as an editor and proofreader since 2019. Capable of editing in South African and British English, Nkhensani Manabeโ€™s editing services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading.

In addition to her experience as a freelancer, Nkhensani Manabeโ€™s professional experience includes time working for Jacana Media as an editor. She also holds certification from the University of the Witwatersrand in publishing studies. Writers working on biographies or coming-of-age fiction and contemporary fiction should consider her for their next project. Her portfolio includes โ€œStand Against Blandโ€ by Sylvester Chauke, โ€œPerfect Imperfectionsโ€ by Makanaka Mavengere Munsaka, and โ€œThose Who Live in Cagesโ€ by Terry-Ann Adams.

Take a look at what else Nkhensani Manabe can do.

 

3. Paula Marais

Paula Marais is a freelance book editor who works in Cape Town, South Africa. Her academic background includes undergraduate degrees in languages and psychology, a masterโ€™s degree in creative writing and a diploma in digital marketing. Paula Marais is a writer herself and has been recognized with a nomination for the Etisalat prize in 2015.

Since 2006, Paula Marais has been a self-employed book editor. Sheโ€™s able to lend her 16 years of experience in developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading to editing non-fiction books on business and psychology, as well as literary fiction and womenโ€™s fiction. Sheโ€™s edited books like โ€œThe Polygamistโ€ by Sue Nyathi, โ€œWhen your blessings donโ€™t countโ€ by Linda Lewis, and โ€œAn Out-of-Court Settlement: In Search of the Messiahโ€ by Charles Rapp.

Speak to Paula Marais.

 

4. Neymat Raboobee

Neymat Raboobee is a professional freelance editor and writer based out of Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to being a freelance editor, Neymat has also extensive professional history as an editor working with companies like STADIO and Riot New Media, 2U Inc.

Neymat Raboobee is able to edit books written in South African, British and American English. Neymatโ€™s editorial services include copy editing and proofreading fiction like cozy mysteries, middle grade fantasy, romance, urban fantasy and novels for young adults. Look at Neymat Raboobeeโ€™s portfolio, including books like โ€œHey Girl! Amazing Secrets to Making The Most of Your Teenage Yearsโ€ by Grace Anighoro, โ€œHannah and Bilal, Happy and Healthyโ€ by Nabeela Vad Walla, and โ€œHow to Talk to Your Muslim Child about Sexโ€ by Firoza Osman.

Connect with Neymat Raboobee today.

 

5. Sheena Carnie

Local to Durban, South Africa, Sheena Carnie is an experience, self-employed book editor. Sheena holds a diploma in journalism and has over twenty-three years of experience working as an editor for Angler Publications. Clients can rely on her experience and editing savvy to help their manuscripts get to the next level.

Since 2008, Sheena Carnie has been freelancing as an editor, doing developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading for fiction novels including Christian fiction, contemporary fiction and action and adventure novels, as well as Christian non-fiction, biographies and books on nature and parenting. Her edits include โ€œFor the Love of Havanaโ€ by Victor Metcalf, โ€œThe Awareness Effectโ€ by Lerato Gunguluza, and โ€œThe Millennium Ultimatumโ€ by Graham Keet.

Learn more about Sheena Carnie.

 

Some More Top Book Editors in South Africa

6. Leonard Rawlins

Leonard Rawlins is a professional independent book editor who works out of Carletonville, South Africa. He holds a certification in feature writing from the University of Cape Town and is proficient in editing books in South African and American English. Leonard Rawlins has been working as an independent book editor since 2011.

Writers can go to Leonard Rawlins for his developmental editing, editorial assessment and proofreading services. He works on historical fiction, mystery, science fiction and thrillers, not to mention non-fiction books on art, business, crafts and true crime. For an idea of his own writing style, look at some of his own books, including โ€œGuns of Justice: The Kinโ€, โ€œIn the Wake of Addiction, and โ€œRestitutionโ€.

Check out what else Leonard Rawlins can do for you.

 

7. Jenni Horn

Cape Town, South Africa is home to Jenni Horn, a professional self-employed book editor who has over twelve years of experience as an editor and writer. Jenni Horn also has an academic background that supports her editing, with an undergraduate degree in translation, French and linguistics.

Jenni Hornโ€™s professional history as an editor includes positions working for Daily Dispatch, Evening Post, Oxford University Press, Longman and Pearson Education, among other reputable companies. Sheโ€™s able to provide developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading for books written in South African English. Jenni Hornโ€™s happy to work on literary fiction, short stories, and non-fiction books on education, health, sports and writing.

Go with Jenni Horn as your next book editor.

 

8. Hugo Chandler

A professional independent book editor and proofreader, Hugo Chandler works out of his location in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been freelancing as an editor and proofreader for about five years. Hugo Chandler is proficient at editing books written in South African, British and American English.

Go to Hugo Chandler to edit your work in progress, whether it is a mystery novel or a non-fiction book on true crime. His edits include โ€œThe Cauldronโ€ by Trevor Peter Armstrong, โ€œMillionaire at 22: or at any other age you want to beโ€ by Albert van Wyk, et al., and โ€œDown at Jika Jika Tavernโ€ by Ashling McCarthy.

Rely on Hugo Chandler!

 

9. Tracy Buenk

Situated in Durban, South Africa, Tracy Buenk is an experienced freelance book editor. She has a significant amount of relevant academic background, having completed a number of certifications in copy editing, proofreading and writing. Tracy Buenk is proficient in editing books written in South African, British and American English.

Since 2012, Tracy Buenk has operated as a freelance book editor. She does developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading on contemporary fiction, psychological thriller, and non-fiction biographies and books on health and well-being. Take a look at her edits in โ€œFive Seatsโ€ by Leonie Vorster, โ€œSiren Deepโ€ by Natasha Willemse and โ€œUnspoken Wordsโ€ by Kwena Mokwele.

Find out more about Tracy Buenk.

 

10. Leandi Cameron

Based in Pretoria, South Africa, Leandi Cameron is a professional self-employed book editor with proficiency in editing books written in South African, Australia, American and British English. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism as well as certification in writing and copyediting.

Leandi Cameron has been a self-employed book editor since 2013, before which she had a long career as a newspaper editor and journalist. She is able to provide editing services like developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading for writers working on childrenโ€™s non-fiction, books on psychology and health, as well as fantasy novels, horror novels, science fiction, and books of other genres. Take a look at her own style of writing in her book โ€œA Tale of the Other Kindโ€.

Let Leandi Cameron know what youโ€™re looking for in a book editor.

Are there any other book editors in South Africa youโ€™re aware of? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!

 

I am a content writer from Romania. My projects involve non-fiction writing, academic writing, product reviews, as well as technical writing. Although I have a personal preference for articles regarding social issues and human rights, I can provide content on any other topic.

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