Lesley Jones | Fiction Editor
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.perfecttheword.co.uk
- Membership Grade
- Advanced Professional Member
About Lesley
||| My website
http://www.perfecttheword.co.uk
||| Why choose me?
Polishing your prose: keeping it yours.
I understand the amount of time and soul searching it has taken you to craft your manuscript; I’ll ensure any work I do with you on that MS will be with a view to producing a book that’s the best it can be. Publishing a book on your own (self-publishing as an independent author – indie publishing) can be a daunting task, but I’m here to help you through one of the most important stages. You will find me approachable and friendly – please visit my website for more information about how I work.
||| Skills and services
- Copyediting
- Line editing
- Deep line editing/developmental-style editing
- Editing non-native English (for novels and biography)
- Manuscript critique
- I am a former solicitor and have competent spoken French
||| Subject areas
- Fiction of all genres – in particular: crime and thrillers; science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, and horror; historical; young adult; children’s
- I also have experience in editing non-fiction, including books on religion, law/police, and biography
- I edit in UK, Australian, NZ, Canadian, and US English, and also work with ESL clients
||| Affiliations and experience
- Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders (CIEP)
- Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
- Member of the Association of Independent Publishing Professionals (AIPP)
- Member of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES)
- Associate member of the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA)
- Ten years’+ experience of freelance proofreading and copy-editing for large publishing houses (including Macmillan, Faber & Faber, Harper Collins and Black Library) and independent authors, now focusing on fiction editing
I have proofread, copyedited or structurally edited well in excess of 300 books or projects, including Children of Time (winner of the 2016 Arthur C Clarke award for best novel), Dead Man’s Walk (by Pulitzer prize winner Larry McMurtry), and A Bird in Winter by Louise Doughty, soon to be adapted for TV
||| Recent clients include
- Many independent authors
- Faber & Faber
- Fairlight Books
- Pan Macmillan
- Black Library
- Harper Collins
- Bonnier Zaffre
- Titan
- Bloodhound Books
||| What my clients say about me
'Lesley’s red pen will help turn your writing into gold!' - D M Searle, author of Back and The Apex
'Lesley is in every sense the professional. Not only is her communication super-fast (sometimes responding within ten minutes of an email being sent), she also has an impeccable eye for detail, as well as a deep understanding of the nuance of the language. She’s earned my highest recommendation.' - David Bates, author of A Faun’s Tale
'Thank you so much for helping me get my book to where it can win awards. I’m so glad I managed to find someone as talented and professional as you.' - Jo de-Lancey, author of The Crystal Shore and The Blue Mage
‘Working with Lesley on my third novel was a delight. I only wish I had found her sooner! Lesley also added comments on the parts of my writing she particularly enjoyed. These were scattered like jewels among the corrections and every one made me smile as I worked through her suggested amendments, learning all the way.' - Kim Gravell, author of To Pay For The Crossing
'Lesley’s edits have been amazing — the more I go through them the more I realise just how good her comments and corrections are!' - Hayley Wellock, author of Vagrant
'The work Lesley has done on my writing is what I desperately needed and I want to thank her for how she handled the weaker points of my novel. She is always respectful but honest and I’m aiming to learn and take on board her very valuable advice and insight — worth every penny! Thank you so much, over and over again!' - David Woods, author of Reports of Strange Noises
'My journey with Lesley was the best decision I ever made. I am a better writer because of it. Author, just trust your story, your novel, your writing to a great editor with a proven track record. Think of it as an investment in your future as a writer. You want to be read, don’t you? Commit. Your mother can even sob some more when she holds your published book in her hand. Go to it.' - Rose Zolock, broadcaster, journalist and author of Medium Wave
Myself and the rest of the Editorial Services team have been greatly impressed by Lesley’s attention-to-detail and diligence. She has engaged excellently with the books she’s worked on for us and is always sensitive to the varied styles of our authors. We’ve had no hesitation in commissioning her to work on books by both brand-name commercial authors and literary stars (among them a Pulitzer-winner).' - Fraser Crichton, Editorial Services Assistant, Pan Macmillan
'I cannot recommend Lesley Jones highly enough, despite knowing I will now have more competition for her valuable time and skills.' - Joy Dramargon, author of Scarifice – The Prophecy and Salted Wounds
'Very careful, detailed work.' - Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time; Winner of the 30th anniversary Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel
Lesley is a wonderful editor to work with – meticulous, hardworking, dedicated, and she edits in the author's voice. I am looking forward to her edit of my sequel this year. Thank you, Lesley, for making a better writer out of me!' - Niraj Srivastava, India, author Daggers of Treason; Winner, 5th Annual Beverly Hills Book Awards - Multicultural Fiction
'Lesley simply has a way with words that helps the writer’s message come across without sacrificing the author’s original voice. She is meticulous, professional, and caring with any project she undertakes.' - Mehrdad Noorani, spiritualist author
'It’s like me, only better.' - Fran Clark, author of The Long Way Home
'Lesley has a good eye for detail and is dedicated to the tasks that are asked of her in addition to thoroughly researching the style guides and resources provided for our books. She has always delivered her projects on time and takes suggestions and tips by our editorial staff with enthusiasm and care. I would highly recommend Lesley as a freelancer for her impeccable work ethic, quality of work and attention to deadlines.' - Sarah Greene, Desk Editor, Black Library
... read these testimonials and more in full on my website
||| Get in touch with me here
Service
Specialisms
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.