Editorial services
I offer a wide range of copywriting services, from writing non-fiction books on many topics under my own name, through to ghostwriting, updating existing titles, and partially or wholly rewriting problematic manuscripts. I also write book introductions, jacket copy and Advance Information text, as well as working up copy for sample spreads for both Sales and as part of the in-house development process. Clients include Penguin Random House, Bloomsbury, Arcturus Publishing, Anness Publishing, Amber Publishing and Haynes Publishing.
Fees and terms depend on the individual project.
As with copyediting, I proofread all kinds of books: fiction and non‑fiction, adult and children’s, illustrated and non‑illustrated. Topics range from YA, NA and middle‑grade fiction through to poetry, sport, health, travel, cookery, nutrition, science, history, craft, natural history and everything in between. My current primary clients are Penguin Children’s, Bloomsbury Special Interest, Amber Publishing, Arcturus Publishing and John Beaufoy, but in the past I’ve worked for Casemate, Lonely Planet, Haynes, Parragon, Anness, Elephant and others.
Fees start from £23.50 per hour or can be agreed as a set fee.
I copyedit both fiction and non‑fiction, adult and children’s manuscripts for a wide range of publishers. I frequently work on complex structural and developmental edits – including rewriting where required – and have a reputation for meticulous fact‑checking; spotting – and suggesting ways to fix – plot holes and other inconsistencies; and careful line‑by‑line editing.
I’ve worked on many high‑profile titles by celebrities and highly respected authors. Recent examples include Sophie Rayworth’s running memoir Running on Air (Bloomsbury Sport); Manjeet Mann’s verse novel Roar (Puffin); numerous Dr Who titles (Puffin); most of Martin Dorey’s camper‑van travel guides (Conway); Iain Carter’s Golf Wars (Bloomsbury Sport); and many more besides. Please see my portfolio for more examples.
I also edit manuscripts for private clients who wish to self‑publish, either working with them from development through to POD or providing straight copyediting services.
Fees start from £27.50 per hour or can be agreed as a set fee.
In addition to project managing new titles from start to finish, I specialise in creating spin‑offs and bind‑ups of illustrated books, either reusing an existing design or working to a template that has been signed off by the publisher. Clients usually provide me with a brief, a bank of source material and a deadline, and then leave me to plan, design, copyedit, write (i.e. a new introduction, chapter openers and jacket copy), carry out picture research and art‑direct any additional photography that may be required. If needed, I also provide AIs, blurbs and metadata.
I’ve packaged multiple cookbooks in this way for Anness Publishing, as well as many children’s titles for Arcturus. I’m very experienced in using InDesign and Photoshop, and have recently been getting to grips with Illustrator to amend illustrations as required for the visual puzzle books I put together.
This means I can write, edit and design simultaneously, problem‑solving and coming up with creative solutions as I go, with regular check‑ins as required by the client.
If the services of other freelancers are required, I can commission, contract, brief and manage them, but they must invoice the client directly upon completion.
In addition, I copyedit and proofread directly into layouts, and take in both image and text corrections for time‑pressed in‑house editors who want a reliable pair of hands to help them get books over the finishing line.
Fees are based on a tiered structure, with a fee for planning; a page rate that covers design, picture research, all editorial work and any writing; plus an additional fee for project management.
In my role as a project editor, I handle multiple titles for multiple clients simultaneously and ensure files are delivered on time and on budget. For the most part, I project manage non‑fiction titles, whether they’re cookbooks, travel guides, wildlife guides, complex children’s non‑fiction titles or books on art. I love collaborating as part of a team, commissioning other freelancers, attending photo shoots, setting up meetings and liaising with Prepress, Production and printers.
As a publishing professional who commissions, writes, edits, designs and proofreads books myself, I have a deep understanding of all stages of the process. I’m quick to adapt to specific in‑house systems as required, whether that’s joining a department as a guest on Teams or navigating platforms such as Egnyte.
Fees start from £280 per day but depend on the scope and timeline of the project; a flat fee can be negotiated.
What I offer
As an author, editor, designer and project manager with more than twenty years of experience in the book publishing trade, I offer a broad range of editorial services, either individually or as a complete package, from planning through to print.
Every project I work on is unique and treated as such, and all are priced based upon the services required and the project complexity. For a detailed quote, please do get in touch via my Contact page. Please note that my schedule is regularly at full capacity, so I advise getting in touch in advance of your project timeline.
Contact me
If you're interested in working with me on your latest project, please send me a brief message (opposite) or drop me an email:
lucydoncaster1980@gmail.com