The right editing

Guidance on the different stages of editing and the recommended order of play. 

Punctuating dialogue

Learn how how to punctuate your dialogue to publishing-industry standards.

Using apostrophes

Everything the indie author needs to know about using apostrophes in fiction writing.

Publish with confidence

Welcome! Want to craft a novel that's ready for readers? I’m a specialist commercial fiction editor who helps independent authors prepare their books for market.

Not a seasoned author? No problem. Many of my clients are beginner and emerging writers starting out on their publishing journey. And if you're passionate about crime, mystery and thriller fiction, great. Me too.

Sentence-level mastery

Perhaps your writing needs smoothing to ensure it engages your reader. Or maybe industry-standard grammar, spelling and punctuation are your sticking points.

​​I’ll work carefully through your narrative and dialogue, attending to flow, clarity and consistency. That way, you can concentrate on what you do best – ​telling stories. 
Not quite ready to commit to a full line- and copyedit?
​Try a mini line-level critique, a 10k-word agent teaser​ or a sample edit.

Safe hands

I write too – fiction and business books – ​so I know what it's like to walk in your shoes.

I have 30 years of professional experience, including in-house roles for two international publishers. I'm also an Advanced Professional Member of the CIEP.​​

Let’s talk

If you’re nervous about working with an editor, why not get in touch for an initial chat about what you need? 

​Whether this is your tenth book or your first, I'm on your side and am happy to guide you.​

My promise

I'll be honest about how I can help. If you want a service that I don't provide, I'll put you in touch with a colleague.

That means if we do work together, we'll both feel we've found a good match. That's the foundation of a great working relationship!​

Free resources

I've created a library of free resources just for self-publishers and independent authors. Simply help yourself to whatever you need.

No strings; no fees. Just stuff to make your writing life easier.​

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Through all of the changes and feedback I was never once anxious. That you made all of the changes needed with generosity and care is incredible. This is what I want to spend my life doing, and you have helped me to shed so many of my fears about doing so. It means everything. Thank you.

Rebecca Milton, fantasy author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
​Louise gives invaluable feedback on the quality, readability and pacing of manuscripts. I would not hesitate in recommending her to others or using her again myself.

Julian Dollimore, crime fiction author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Andy Maslen, bestselling crime author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Louise has the rare ability to refine and polish sentences with a perceptive lightness of touch, revising only where necessary, and somehow, magically, what is left on the page better captures the very essence of exactly what you wanted to say.

​Add that she is a pleasure to work with and clearly loves what she does, and it really does become impossible to find fault with her service.

​In short – if you want your writing to be better, then you need to get Louise to edit it. I can't recommend working with her highly enough.

Kess Goldland, thriller author

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

A few of the 600+ books in my portfolio ... first and later editions

I write fiction ...

Picture
I'm not just a fiction editor. Like you, I write fiction. My favourite genres are crime fiction, speculative fiction and a little science fiction and horror. I write for pleasure but I enjoy putting my own sentence-level editing advice into practice too!

And I write about fiction writing ...

Editing Fiction at Sentence Level
If you're a beginner or developing writer looking for guidance on self-editing your novel, this book is for you. It shows you how to hone line craft so that the narrative and dialogue compel readers to turn the page. There are examples of good practice throughout.

Meet Louise

Editor, writer, speaker and podcaster with thirty years of experience in the publishing industry ...
​
I specialize in working with independent authors of commercial fiction. I'm an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a Member of ACES, and a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).

My portfolio includes a Pulitzer Prize winner, A Visit from the Goon Squad, and an anniversary facsimile edition of probably the most famous Gothic horror novel ever published, Dracula.

I write too ... books on line craft for authors and editors; on marketing and business planning for editors; and fiction for lovers of crime and speculative fiction and thrillers.

I live with my husband and daughter in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk Broads and have the privilege of spending my working week with words.

​My clients come from all over the world but they have one thing in common – they want to make their books the best they can be.

I help them with that mission and I reckon it's the best job in the world!

​Ever wondered what an editor's office looks like? The gallery below gives you a flavour of mine!​