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.
Are you an author based in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Have you just written a novel and are now looking for help with editing your manuscript before you send it to a book publisher?
Below you’ll find 19 top providers of novel editing services in the UK.
Note: Before selecting an editor for your book including any of the following novel editing services, do your due diligence. Find reviews of the editing service you’re interested in and request samples from the editor, so you get an idea of the quality of the provider.
1. Robin Seavill
Robin Seavill is a professional editor who offers copy editing and proofreading for writing in British and American English. Located in Bristol, England, Robin has worked with numerous reputable publishers, including HarperCollins, Virgin, and Harlequin. His areas of specialty include non-fiction biographies and true crime, as well as fiction including action, historical fiction, thriller, and mystery.
After a successful few years editing for companies like Proscenium Theatre Publications Ltd. and Bath & West Life Magazine, Robin started working as an independent editor in 2002 and continues to do so to this day. He’s edited titles including “Echoes from the Past” by Peter Rimmer”, “The Milan Contract” by Stephen Franks, and “Not Another Happy Ending” by David Solomons.
Speak to Robin Seavill today.
2. Emily Cox
Newport, Wales, in the United Kingdom, is home to Emily Cox. The experienced editor offers developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading for clients writing non-fiction books on business, career, health, humanities, life science, psychology, and self-improvement. She is passionate about her work and has experience working with business coaches, CEOs, and marketing experts on getting their books ready for publication.
Emily has been a freelance edition for over five years since getting started in 2016. She’s committed to helping her clients find success in their writing. Examples of successfully published writing that Emily has helped include “Fat to Fabulous: Diet Free Weight Loss for Real Women” by Shari Ware, “Courage To Bloom: Reclaim your Identity, Realise your True Potential and Achieve Personal Success in both Life and Business” by Brenda Rsiaousis, and “Simplify: Declutter your time, home, finances and thoughts” by Sam Theron.
Contact Emily Cox now!
3. Kate Ellis
Kate Ellis has edited for various organizations including Express Publishing, Parthian Books, Harper Collins, and Accent Press. She currently offers freelance editing services for authors working in either British or American English. The Cardiff-based editor is certified in copy editing and proofreading through the Publishing Training Centre.
Kate’s editorial services range from developmental and copy editing to editorial assessments and proofreading. She focuses her efforts on fiction, such as historical fiction, women’s fiction and novels about holidays, mystery, and romance. Take a look at some of her editing in “Time to Say Goodbye: a heart-rending novel about a father’s love for his daughter” by S.D. Robertson, “Would Like to Meet” by Polly James, and “Dance With the Dead” by James Nally.
Rely on Kate Ellis for your next work in progress!
4. Eldo Barkhuizen
Llandudno, North Wales is home to Eldo Barkhuizen, a professional editor with over two decades of experience. An Advanced Member of the UK Society for Editors and Proofreaders, he’s done work for renowned groups such as Zondervan, HarperCollins, and Wiley-Blackwells, among others. He offers copy editing and proofreading services for books written in both British and American English.
Eldo has been working professionally as a self-employed copy editor and proofreader since 1997. His focus is on non-fiction books, including Christian non-fiction, health, history, philosophy, psychology, self-help, and writing. Books he has edited include “Behind the Smile: My Story” by Lisa Potts, “Coming of the Rain” by Katherine Makower, and “The Book What I Wrote” by Eddie Braben.
Speak to Eldo Barkhuizen today!
5. Rhodri Owen
Based in Cowbridge, in the United Kingdom, Rhodri Owen is an editor who has been freelancing since 2006. His experience includes working with Gomer Press, Graffeg, Alcemi, and other reputable organizations in the industry. He delivers copy editing and proofreading to books of a variety of genres, including biographies, nature, and sports, as well as literary fiction, contemporary fiction, and fiction for children.
After a long and successful career as a journalist with the BBC, among other jobs, Rhodri turned his professional interest and attention to editing. He’s since edited countless books, such as “Dead White” by Gwen Parrott, “Salt” by Catrin Kean and “Unleaving” by Siân Collins. Writers will benefit from working with someone with an eye for detail and a masterful understanding of the English language.
Let Rhodri Owen how he can help you with your manuscript!
6. Bethn Kyle
Graduating with a postgraduate degree in publishing, Bethn Kyle is an experienced editor. The Belfast-based editor does freelance copy editing, editorial assessments, and proofreading for books written in British English. Writers will also want to know that Bethn holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature and is fully capable of delivering quality, detailed grammatical and syntactical corrections to the writing.
Bethn Kyle has many years of experience working as a proofreader for companies like Maurice Wyle Media, Ulster Herald, and Ambassador International. Her main focus is on fiction, and she edits literary fiction, romance novels, Christian fiction, and more. “Jewels of Jabbok” by Joanne Peden, “A Diamond of Dust: The True Story of a Top Trainee Surgeon” by Anato Swu, and “Sunbeams in the Mist: Collection of Poetry and Stories Celebrating God and His Creation” by Elizabeth Hamill are a few books that she’s edited.
Speak to Bethn Kyle today.
7. Deborah White
Situated in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Deborah White is a professional editor with a background in teaching. A trained teacher with a bachelor’s degree in education, she is able to provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter reviews with the delivery of a sympathetic teacher and the critical eye of an editor.
Deborath’s areas of specialties range from children’s non-fiction and Christian non-fiction to fiction for middle-grade readers, new adult novels, romantic suspense, and young adult fantasy. She has been working as a freelance editor since 2015. Take a look at some of the writing that Deborah has done herself, including “The Fairy Journals Collection”, to get a feel for her own writing style.
Contact Deborah White today!
8. Michelle Griffin
Belfast, Northern Ireland is home to Michelle Griffin. The independent editor is certified for copy editing, proofreading, and grammatical skills through Publishing Training Centre, in London, and Publishing Ireland. She is capable of delivering developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessments, and proofreading to text written in British English.
Michelle focuses on biographies, non-fiction books about history, literary fiction, science fiction, and women’s fiction. She’s been freelancing since 2019 but has extensive editing experience prior to that, working with Blackstaff Press from 2006 to 2019 and with Brehon Press for about nine years before that. She has edited “Hooleygan: Music, Mayhem, Good Vibrations” by Terri Hooley, “The Pen Friend” by Ciaran Carson, and “Belfast City Cemetery: The History of Belfast, Written in Stone” by Tom Hartley.
Go with Michelle Griffin for your next manuscript!
9. Geoff Hill
Geoff Hill is an experienced author, journalist, and editor. He’s based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the United Kingdom, and can provide developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessments, and proofreading. Any writer would be lucky to work with someone with Geoff’s breadth and depth of experience as a professional communicator.
With an undergraduate degree in English language and literature, Geoff’s editorial focus ranges from contemporary fiction and historical fiction to non-fiction self-improvement books to travel and sportsbooks. He’s been self-employed since 2009 and continues to deliver the same high level of quality over the last twelve years. Look at some of his past writing to get a feel for his caliber of skill, including “Way to Go: Two of the World’s Great Motorcycle Journeys” and “In Clancy’s Boots: The Greatest Ever Round-the-World Motorbike Adventure.”
Reach out to Geoff Hill now!
10. Rachel Thompson
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Rachel Thompson is a self-employed editor of both fiction and non-fiction literature. She has edited children’s non-fiction, books on travel, as well as historical fiction, women’s fiction, children’s fiction, and books for young adults. Her editorial services include developmental editing, query letter review, editorial assessment, and copy editing.
Rachel’s professional career as an editor began with stints with Egmont UK, Immediate Media, and Penguin Random House UK. She has been self-employed as of 2018 and continues to wow clients with her level of ability and professionalism. She has contributed to the successful publication of books like “Who Was Anne Frank?” by Ann Abramson, et al, “Clangers: Small’s Birthday Treat” by Daniel Postgate, and “Unforgettable Journeys: Slow down and see the world”, part of the DK Eyewitness series.
Speak to Rachel Thompson now!
11. Aimee Walker
Aimee brought over nine years of experience working as a librarian to her new freelancing career as an editor. Working out of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Aimee is PTC qualified and graduated with an undergraduate degree in English. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders. Capable of working on material in both British and American English, her editorial services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and query letter review.
Aimee has been freelancing since 2018 and has over three years of experience in the industry. Whether you are working on literary fiction, women’s fiction, romance, or a non-fiction biography or book on psychology, you are sure to benefit from Aimee’s no-nonsense approach and professional editing. “Belfast Gate” by Tony Macaulay, “Crossfade” by Kelly Kay, and “The Occurrence” by Robert Desiderio are a number of books that she’s edited.
Go to Aimee Walker for your next work in progress.
12. Julie Fergusson
Julie Fergusson is an editor based in Edinburgh, Scotland who has experience working with writers of various genres. The independent editor has done work with individual authors, as well as with publishing firms like Avon, Bookouture, Polygon, and Quercus. Her copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading services are available to authors working on manuscripts in Canadian, American, and British English.
Julie enjoys working mostly on fiction writing, including books categorized as dystopian, LGBTQ fiction, literary fiction, mystery, romance, thriller, women’s fiction, and young adult. She’s been freelancing as an editor since 2013 and has over eight years of experience in the industry. Some of the titles that she has edited include “The Brilliant & Forever” by Kevin MacNeil, “The Rat Stone Serenade” by Denzil Meyrick, and “The Night He Left” by Sue Lawrence.
Speak to Julie Fergusson for more information!
13. John Reid
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, John Reid is a professional editor and founder of his own publishing company Blackwater Press. His editorial services range from developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading to indexing and query letter review. He holds an MSc in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and is certified by CIEP in proofreading.
John works on a wide range of literature including dystopian fiction, humor, and short stories as well as non-fiction biographies, and books on entertainment, history, and philosophy. He had been working with Ringwood Publishing before launching Blackwater Press in 2020, where he now works. Books that he has edited include “Not the Deaths Imagined” by Anne Pettigrew, “From Arthur’s Seat: 4: A collection of short prose and poetry” by Magali Roman, and “The Flute in Scotland from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century” by Elizabeth Ford.
Contact John Reid to learn more about what he does.
14. Andrew Gerard Cusick
Andrew Gerard Cusick has made his life’s work to help writers ready their writing for publication. Local to Glasgow, Scotland, Andrew offers editing services including proofreading, developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessments to his clients. He’s worked as a freelance writer and editor since 2007.
Andrew is a versatile editor and able to edit books within a wide range of genres, such as non-fiction books on health and sports, dystopian fiction, epic fantasy and books for young adults, and post-apocalyptic fiction, and steampunk novels. Look into titles like “Complete Book of Shaolin: Comprehensive Program for Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Development” by Wong Kiew Kit, “The Power of Tai Chi Chuan: An Introduction to the Benefits of Health, Self-Defence and Personal Development” by Robin Gamble, and “Tribute at the Gates” by C.J. Aaron for examples of his editing at work.
Speak to Andrew Gerard Cusick for more details!
15. Laura Kincaid
Working out of her location in Edinburgh, in the United Kingdom, Laura Kincaid is a certified editor with years of experience editing multiple genres of books. She offers copy editing and proofreading to fiction written in Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, British and American English, including contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, books for young adults, and books of fantasy, romance, and suspense.
Before beginning to freelance in 2012, Laura gained invaluable experience working with various companies like Athena Press, Canongate Books, and Barrington Stoke. Writers will benefit from the skills that she accrued during this time. You can take a look at some of her editing in titles like “A Bad Boy Stole My Bra” by Lauren Price, “The Gravity of Love” by Noelle Harrison, and “Just Don’t Mention It” by Estelle Maskame.
Reach out to Laura Kincaid to figure out if you would benefit from the services that she is offering!
16. David Bamford
David Bamford is a professional editor able to edit both fiction and non-fiction books alike who is based in London, England. For over seven years, he edited for Little, Brown Book Group in the United Kingdom, working with Abacus, Virago, and Fleet, among other reputable names. He is certified by The Publishing Training Centre in editing and publishing, and currently offers developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessments, proofreading, and query letter review services.
Today, David offers his editorial services as a freelance editor. He’s happy to work on literary fiction, non-fiction books on art, entertainment, history, and science, as well as biographies and memoirs. You’ll want to take at some past titles that he’s edited, including “British Summer Time Begins” by Ysenda Maxtone Graham, “Long Drawn Out Trip” by Gerald Scarfe, and “Here Comes the Sun” by Steve Jones.
Speak to David Bamford today!
17. Sophia Blackwell
Situated in London, England, Sophia Blackwell is an independent proofreader and editor, as well as the marketing manager for Macmillan, Bloomsbury, and Hachette UK. She has been editing since 2010 and in marketing since 2008, positions that give her an incredible base of past experience in two related fields. Additionally, Sophia is certified in content marketing foundations, SEO foundations, and digital publishers, from the Linkedin and The Publishing Training Center, respectively.
Sophia’s editing services include developmental editing, copy editing and proofreading, for books written about contemporary romance, historical fiction, literary fiction, and non-fiction about music, philosophy, and sociology. She edited “Carpe Diem Regained: The Vanishing Art of Seizing the Day” by Roman Krznaric, “Buena Vista in the Club: Rap, Reggaeton, and Revolution in Havana” by Geoffrey Baker, and “What If the Queen Should Die” by John-Paul Flintoff.
Reach out to Sophia Blackwell to start a conversation now!
18. Tom Feltham
Tom Feltham has been editing as a self-employed editor for over ten years. Based in London, England, Tom holds an undergraduate degree in English literature, a postgraduate degree in creative writing, and is certified in both copy editing and proofreading. After years working at companies like Amazon UK and Thomson Reuters, he started working on his own in 2015 and has not looked back since.
Authors of both fiction and non-fiction genres can rely on Tom to deliver outstanding copy editing and proofreading, his two main editing specialties. He’s interested in editing contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and mystery, as well as non-fiction about entertainment, history, and political science. His portfolio includes “The Final Flight” by James Blatch, “Crooked Alleys” by Soraya Lennie, and “The House of Jaipur: The Inside Story of India’s Most Glamorous Royal Family” by John Zubrzycki.
Go with Tom Feltham today!
19. Rebecca Millar
Certified at the Publishing Training Centre in copy editing and proofreading, Rebecca Millar has been a freelance editor since 2019. A member of the Chartered Institute for Editors and Proofreaders, as well as an associate member of the Crime Writers Association, the Bath, UK-based editor offers editing services including developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter review.
With fiction as her focus, authors of mysteries, crime novels, medical thrillers, and psychological thrillers can look forward to working with this experienced editor. Writers would benefit from her rich history of editing experience from working with reputable firms like SilverWood Books, Penguin Random House, Troubador Publishing Ltd, and others. Take a look at titles that she has edited such as “Now You See Her” by Heidi Perks, “The Nanny” by Gilly Macmillan, and “Gone by Midnight” by Candice Fox.
Rely on Rebecca Millar for your next manuscript!
Do you know any other novel editing services in the UK? Please tell us about them in the comments box.
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.