I’m the co-author of several New York Times and Sunday Times bestsellers and have worked on numerous high-profile non-fiction titles across memoir, business, popular science, personal development and history. I specialise in rescuing books that have got into trouble, and can turn a messy manuscript into a bestseller. I am the trusted editorial consultant and writing partner to entrepreneurs, academics and artists, often working alongside authors for years.
My agent for ghostwriting, co-writing and book doctoring is Valeria Huerta at Aevitas Creative Management.
Ghostwriting
I write for and with celebrities, academics and experts on subjects from leadership to popular science and family memoir to personal development. I work closely with them to convey their story, shape their ideas, come up with a structure and write for their target readership in a voice that feels like their own. I can start with a blank page or with 150,000 words of notes, and produce a book on time and on brief.
Book doctoring
I’m a specialist non-fiction structural editor who can take a book apart and put it back together again, smoothing and sharpening as necessary. I’m happy to switch between rewriting and editing and I love hybrid writing-editorial projects that require flexibility and creativity. I’m diplomatic and empathetic. I know how sensitive it can feel for an author, their editor and agent when a book has run into trouble. If a project has got stuck, I can rescue it while keeping everyone onside.
Editorial & Mentoring
I typically work on three projects a year and am booked months in advance, but I do occasionally carry out work for private clients. I can help with ongoing mentoring for projects such as memoirs. I can advise on how to write non-fiction book proposals for agents, or whether your book has commercial appeal and is ready to submit. I offer packages of support tailored to your needs. Please contact me to discuss.
“Helen’s input was invaluably wise, adept and always persuasively delivered. Her qualities make her the best literary editor I’ve worked with.”
John Naish – journalist and author of Enough
My experience
Over the last fifteen years I’ve worked on dozens of books published by major London publishing houses. They include:
An award-winning and bestselling memoir by a high-profile musician
Three well-reviewed and bestselling books by a popular scientist and academic
A compendium of personal essays by A-list celebrities
Two books of popular history / family memoir that were bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic
An investigation of social and environmental activism by an A-list celebrity
A groundbreaking book about the Second World War by a well-reviewed historian
A memoir by a spiritual leader
Three books by a bestselling business, social change and leadership writer
The ongoing literary output of a high-profile artist and musician
A life-affirming book about processing grief
And a gift book by the late Queen’s favourite corgi
“Alongside her outstanding editing skills, Helen possesses a temperament that makes all the difference: she is calm, supportive, judicious, perceptive and endlessly patient.”
Anna Swan – author of Statues Without Shadows
What my clients say about me
“Helen not only tolerated my eccentricities but fooled me into thinking that her brilliant ideas for improvements were actually mine. Quite simply the best book editor I have ever worked with.”
John Humphrys – journalist, broadcaster and author
“Thank you for your patient, sensitive and insightful comments. It really is very rewarding to have that kind of attention devoted to my work.”
John Dickie – Professor of Italian Studies at University College, London and author of the international bestsellers Cosa Nostra and Blood Brotherhoods
“Helen worked as an editor at Hodder for several years where she was supremely talented and efficient, regularly turning problem manuscripts into bestsellers. I would recommend her highly.”
Rowena Webb – Director of Non-fiction Publishing, Hodder & Stoughton
“I started working with Helen when I wanted to take the next step in building my writing career. She was more than just a mentor: she was a life coach, a therapist and a guru. Through our work together I was able to find new direction in my writing projects.”
Deb Sperling – memoirist and editor
My story
I’ve been a fanatical reader all my life and a freelance editorial consultant and writer for fifteen years.
I started out in book publishing twenty-five years ago in publicity and editorial at Virago, the feminist literary imprint. I then spent a year working at Susanna Lea Associates, a rights agency in Paris, before commissioning non-fiction at Hodder and Stoughton.
In 2009 I moved to Buenos Aires to learn to tango and went freelance. I lived in Argentina for nine years before returning to London with my husband and daughters.
I love dancing tango, reading Gothic fiction in English and Spanish, and I still think that hunting for the right words alongside other book obsessives is the best job in the world.
“Helen has the perfect blend of supportive encouragement and editorial rigour for a first-time author. She applied her razor-sharp skills to restructure my novel. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Tim Martin – author of Moral Hazards
Say hello! Let’s talk about your project.
