Debbie E.

Editor/proofreader: historical fiction, mystery, memoir, web content

If you're looking for a fiction editor, memoir editor, nonfiction editor, or web content editor, I may be the perfect fit. I've edited 100+ fiction and nonfiction books, plus reports, web content and more. I'm also: - an Advanced Professional Member (highest level) of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) - a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) - a graduate of the University of Oxford. I'm a book editor who loves helping indie/self-published authors, publishers, and businesses to produce work of an exceptional standard. My clients include independent publishers, authors, and companies like The Royal Mint. I read French at the University of Oxford and have lived and worked in France, hence the specialist arm to my business of editing books set in France, but I work on all kinds of other books too, including mysteries and thrillers, historical fiction, and memoirs/biographies. I'm putting the finishing touches to my debut novel, a mystery set in the south of France, which I plan to self-publish later this year (2025). I also have extensive experience as an editor of web content on a variety of platforms so can edit/proofread your website through the lens of SEO, web accessibility and user experience. I'm the author of 'Improve Your Author Website' and 'Improve Your Editor Website'. Message me for a no-obligation chat about your project! SERVICES I offer the following for all genres, esp. historical fiction, mystery, memoir, biography, French setting: - Line editing/copyediting (Separate or combo) – A line-by-line check (line editing) to improve word choice, flow, and sentence structure, while taking care to retain your unique author’s voice. Also a copyedit for errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, the flow of language, and style issues. I can also carry out a degree of fact-checking. - Proofreading – A close check of your proof once it's been designed and typeset, looking for errors that have crept in during revision, plus issues with formatting, layout, page numbering, headers, footers, table of contents, and more. - Website editing and proofreading – I have an extensive background in web marketing. I can line-edit and copyedit your web text before you upload it to your site, then proofread your webpages. I will also make suggestions to improve your site's SEO, accessibility, and usability. - Edit of your first 10,000 words – I will carry out a detailed edit at the level of your choice (line edit, copyedit, or a combination of the two). You will receive a bespoke style sheet and an editorial report detailing areas of strength and suggestions for improvement. - Sample edits – Try before you buy. For a nominal fee (taken off the full cost of the edit if you hire me), I’ll provide an edit or proofread of 2,500 words and a short editorial report containing advice you can apply to your whole book. SUBJECTS AND GENRES I edit fiction, nonfiction, and web content. I enjoy working on a variety of topics and genres, but am especially interested and experienced in the following: - Historical fiction – I enjoy the research involved! I've edited many historical fiction manuscripts and have an A-Level in Early Modern History. I also enjoy reading historical fiction. - Books set in France – My MA in French from the University of Oxford and my experience of living and working in different regions of France will benefit your book - Mysteries/thrillers – I've written a mystery novel and studied the craft of writing, story structure, plot, and character arcs. I also read mystery books for pleasure. - Memoirs/biographies – I find other people's lives inspiring and fascinating, and will bring the principles of story craft to your book - Websites – Any topic! I worked in the field of web for almost 20 years and am the author of 'Improve Your Author Website' and 'Improve Your Editor Website'. WHAT YOU'LL GET I'll gather your full requirements to ensure I deliver exactly what you need. I will continue to communicate with you throughout our project and will deliver high-quality work on time, with full tracked changes and comments on reasons for suggested changes where needed. You are in control the whole time and do not have to accept all/any of my suggestions! I always carefully read through text at least twice to ensure I capture as many issues as possible. I'll produce a style sheet, unique to your project, that details style decisions made (including grammar, spelling, and punctuation). If you're a fiction writer, the style sheet will also include a descriptive list of characters, locations, and the timeline of your book to ensure consistency. My rates strongly reflect the effort I'll put into your project and the high quality of work I'll produce. It takes time to painstakingly check copy for errors, flow, consistency, and style standards. This work cannot be rushed. GET IN TOUCH Please contact me if I sound like the right editor for you!