Editorial Support
Author Coaching
Commissioning
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‘Book Doctoring’
I work with in-house commissioning editors and authors to help shape a book from the ideas stage right through to a finished manuscript. I am a creative and sensitive editor and support new or established authors to get their message across while ensuring the book has strong commercial appeal.
Editing and Project Management
Meticulous and with a real eye for detail, I carry out in-depth structural edits or more straightforward copy edits, depending on what is required. I edit on screen and can liaise directly with the author(s) over queries/structural changes. Alternatively, I can draw up a separate document sensitively recommending changes that need to be made. I am also happy to project manage and support publishers from manuscript delivery through to final PDF, booking in additional freelancers as required.
(I no longer carry out proofreads, but please contact me if you have a particular project you need specific support with.)
SERVICES
Proposal Development
I work with literary agents and in-house commissioners to formulate and write winning book proposals.
Author Coaching
If you’re looking for an expert overview of your proposal or manuscript, I offer a one-off reader’s report identifying strengths and weaknesses, or I can work with you to hone your ideas and structure a winning proposal and/or sample text. I also offer advice on submitting your work to commissioning editors/literary agents.
Commissioning
I have ten years’ in-house commissioning experience and can boost your list through freelance commissioning in the following genres: health, parenting, well-being, personal development, soft business and personal finance.
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ABOUT ME
I have over 20 years’ experience in non-fiction publishing and am accurate, reliable and organised.
I work on both text-only and illustrated books across a range of genres, including parenting, health, well-being, personal development, lifestyle, cookery, self-help, soft business and popular psychology.
Qualifications
Training
2021 Word for Practical Editing, CIEP
2007 Copywriting, in-house course at Random House
2005 Negotiation Skills, in-house course at Random House
2003 Book Production for Editors, The Publishing Training Centre
2001 Copy-editing Skills, The Publishing Training Centre
2001 Proofreading for Editors, The Publishing Training Centre
Education
MA English Literature (Merit), University of Warwick
BA Hons English Literature (2:1), University of Warwick
‘A’ Levels: English Literature, A; Geography, A; Government and Politics, A
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Here is a selection of books I have worked on recently.
If you'd like to discuss how I can help you with your project, please email me.
PROJECTS
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I provide professional support with project editing, structural editing, copy editing and proofreading to some of the biggest names in the publishing industry, as well as self-publishing companies and independent authors. I also develop proposals for literary agencies.
CLIENTS
TESTIMONIALS
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I have worked with Julia for many years and I can trust her to work her magic on any book – no matter how challenging. Julia goes above and beyond with her editorial support and her author care is second to none.
Sam Jackson, Editorial Director, Penguin Random House
Julia is a truly exceptional editor – she has a solution-based, creative approach to the most complicated of projects from the get-go. She adds invaluable amounts of experience and knowledge to every project she works on with us – and genuinely makes the editing / book doctor process one of reward and joy for my authors; they absolutely love working with her, as do I. She engages in such an attuned way with our intentions and aims for a book’s overarching message, and helps bring it all to life time and time again.
Lauren Whelan, Publisher, Catalyst and Yellow Kite, Hodder & Stoughton
Julia is absolutely fantastic. I’ve been working with her now for many years and I request her for every book I do. She’s so detailed in her editing and goes above and beyond. She really supports her clients through the whole of the editing process which makes you feel relaxed and just so confident in her work. I always know that, if she’s supporting me on a project, that’s one less thing for me to worry about AND that it’ll be a super successful piece of work.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed, bestselling author of How to Wean Your Baby, How to Feed Your Toddler and
How to Feed Your Family
Julia is a sympathetic, shrewd and supportive editor who, as a literary midwife, helped me enormously to give birth to some quite controversial books.
Oliver James, world-renowned psychologist and bestselling author of Affluenza and Contented Dementia
Julia is an excellent editor and can turn her hand to a wide range of editorial work across different subject areas. You can always count on her to deliver, whether you need help with a structural edit, copy edit, proofread or complete rewrite. She's a pleasure to work with and I strongly recommend her.
Susanna Abbott, Publishing Director, Bonnier Books UK
Julia is such a brilliant editor. My book benefited so much from her commitment to rigour and detail. What surprised me the most was how collaborative the process was and how much we discussed what might have seemed like minor details to others, but were important to the philosophies and political commitments of the book. Julia was kind and encouraging. I would work with her again and again!
Tawseef Khan, solicitor, activist and author of Muslim, Actually
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Julia. She is professional and highly skilled, and adaptable in how she works with authors, showing flexibility in ways of working to get the best out of your writing. Her approach to editing and being able to give clear direction to appeal to the audience you are trying to reach is outstanding. Above all, she takes time to get to know you as an author and what matters to you, as well as what you are trying to convey with your manuscript. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Dr Radha Modgil, doctor, broadcaster and author of Know Your Own Power
It was a privilege to work with Julia. Her editing challenged me to clarify my arguments and bring a deeper focus to the book, and her attention to detail was a huge reassurance. I have no doubt that Julia’s involvement in the book took it to the next level – any author who gets to work with her is a lucky one.
Molly Forbes, campaigner, speaker and author of Body Happy Kids
Julia is a pleasure to work with and challenges ideas where necessary to bring out the best in a manuscript. She is reliable, organised and quick!
Zita West, leading fertility and pregnancy expert and author of Zita West's Guide to Fertility and Assisted Conception
Julia has been a consistent inspirational support throughout my writing career. Without her I would never have got the job done. Never have I met anyone that can get things done properly in such little time.
Sammy Margo, chartered physiotherapist and author of The Good Sleep Guide
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CONTACT
For more information or to discuss individual projects, please email me at mail@juliakellaway.co.uk or complete the form below.