Book Editors

8 Developmental Editors in the UK Who Can Transform Your Book

Navigating the literary landscape can be a complex task, especially when you’re looking to polish your manuscript to perfection. This is where the expertise of a developmental editor becomes crucial, helping to shape your narrative, refine your voice, and ensure your story resonates with readers. If you’re an author in the UK, there’s a wealth of talent right on your doorstep.

In this blog post, we present the top 8 developmental editors in the UK, each with a proven track record of honing compelling narratives and helping authors achieve their publishing dreams. Stay tuned to discover the perfect match for your manuscript.

1. Eve Hall

Meet Eve Hall, a distinguished freelance fiction editor who has honed her skills at the UK’s largest publishing houses: Penguin Random House and Hachette. As an ex-Editorial Director for Hodder & Stoughton, Eve brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked with internationally bestselling authors and edited some of the biggest names in fiction today. Offering services like developmental editing, copy editing, and query letter reviews, Eve can help you perfect your manuscript, regardless of its genre. She is particularly adept at commercial fiction, with a specialty in the crime & thriller genre. Praised for her instinctive editing skills and mastery of story structure, Eve is not only an editor but a supportive partner in the writing process. With Eve’s developmental editing expertise, authors can confidently bring their stories to life.

2. Lok Yee Liu

Lok Yee Liu is a seasoned editor with a rich background in children’s education publishing and a passion for representation and accessibility​. She has extensive experience working with young voices across different genres and mediums, including poetry, educational texts, and animations​. Lok Yee offers a range of services including developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading​. With her comprehensive understanding of technical editorial points, she expertly navigates structure and development editing while respecting the author’s style​​.

Lok Yee’s work experience is impressive, boasting a role as a former editor at Oxford University Press and her current role as an editor for educational content at Global Alumni​. As a freelancer, she has served notable clients such as Oxford University Press and HarperCollins​. Furthermore, she has gained valuable experience from internships at Cambridge University Press and John Blake Publishing​.

In addition to her editing skills, Lok Yee has shown leadership as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mic Magazine, where she managed editorial processes and collaborated with teams to organize charity events​. Fluent in UK and US English, she specialises in children’s non-fiction, education and reference, ELT, as well as fiction genres such as coming of age and contemporary fiction​. With Lok Yee Liu, authors can expect a collaborative and respectful editing process that enhances their creative vision.

3. Nicky Lovick

Nicky Lovick is an acclaimed developmental editor with 20 years of experience, specializing in women’s commercial fiction, crime, and thrillers​​. Her impressive portfolio includes stints as Managing Editor at Constable & Robinson and Headline Publishing Group, where she managed a range of titles, including works by acclaimed authors like Martina Cole, James Patterson, and Andrea Levy​. Now a freelance editor, she continues to work with top publishers like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, as well as with indie authors globally​. Her expertise lies in enhancing story quality, looking at plot, structure, and characterisation, among others, and giving manuscripts a professional polish​. Praised for her diligent, attentive approach and keen eye for detail, Nicky comes highly recommended by both clients and colleagues​.

4. Liz Dalby

With over 24 years of experience, Liz Dalby is a highly trained publishing professional specializing in developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Her expertise spans across a broad range of genres, particularly in general trade non-fiction areas such as architecture, art and craft, fashion, and cookery, and she also excels in literary fiction and mystery & crime genres. Liz’s services are marked by her ability to enhance the original character of your work, ensuring a high-standard, efficient, and reliable service. Fluent in both UK and US English, Liz holds a BSc in Architectural Studies and is a CIEP Advanced Professional Member. Her extensive career includes roles at CIEP, Quarto, Scholastic, Usborne, and Miles Kelly Publishing​.

5. Roisin Heycock

Roisin Heycock is a seasoned Developmental Editor with an illustrious 15-year career in the publishing industry. Her experience spans stints at renowned publishing houses like Pan Macmillan, Faber & Faber, Quercus, and Hachette. As the former Editorial Director at Pan Macmillan and Quercus, Roisin’s leadership led to the winning of prestigious awards like the Guardian Children’s Prize and the YA Prize. Her expertise extends to shaping narratives, revitalizing plots, and ensuring authors develop their skills for long-term career success. Roisin also offers up-to-date book market experience, possessing a keen understanding of what publishers want and how to pitch effectively to them​.

6. Tim Major

Tim Major is a seasoned editor specializing in science fiction, horror, and YA fiction, with an impressive 15-year career in senior editorial roles across esteemed publishing houses such as Scholastic, Pearson, CGP, and Oxford University Press. His services encompass manuscript assessment, structural editing, copyediting, and proofreading, tailored to an array of genres, including action & adventure, fantasy, mystery & crime, psychological thriller, and short story​​. Tim’s unique expertise is underscored by his own successful publications, and his mastery of both UK and US English​. His previous roles have not only included editing for prominent organizations but also leading editorial and online resource teams, demonstrating his ability to deliver high-quality results in diverse settings​.

7. Parul Bavishi

Meet Parul Bavishi, a seasoned professional editor with a decade of experience at renowned publishing houses, including Random House and Quercus. As a dedicated developmental editor, Parul has worked with a diverse range of authors from first-timers to award-winners, specializing in thrillers, non-fiction, and YA genres​. Beyond her extensive experience, Parul is also the co-founder of the London Writers’ Salon and co-host of the Story Grid Showruners Podcast, where she analyzes hit TV shows to offer storytelling insights​.

Parul’s services include developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review, and she offers guidance on publishing strategies and plot or character development​. With a stellar work history at Eccles Fisher, Random House, Cornerstones, and Quercus/Hachette, she’s received glowing testimonials from authors who’ve praised her professionalism and dedication​.

Choosing Parul means choosing a dedicated and experienced partner for your writing journey, offering not just editing expertise, but also an invaluable network and deep industry knowledge.

8. Rebecca Jones

Rebecca Jones is a seasoned editor specializing in commercial fiction, children’s, and YA literature, with a decade of experience across three major literary agencies​. She provides comprehensive services including developmental editing, manuscript assessments, and query letter reviews, underpinned by a First Class degree in English from the University of Cambridge. Her career encompasses senior roles at Rogers, Coleridge & White, and Ed Victor Ltd, where she managed international translation rights and worked with celebrated authors like Ian Rankin and Joanne Harris. She also had a stint as a Junior Agent at The Wylie Agency, servicing clients like Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie​.

Choosing the right editor can be a game-changer for your writing career. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, these top UK developmental editors are poised to take your manuscript to the next level, ensuring it is both engaging and market-ready.