Manda Waller | Fantasy, Romance and YA Fiction Editor
Based in Kent, UK, but working with authors from around the world
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.mandawaller.co.uk
- Organisation
- Manda Waller | The Human Fiction Editor
- Job title
- Friendly, cheerful, kind fiction editor with transparent prices
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Manda
See my website: www.mandawaller.co.uk
Email me: [email protected]
Friendly, cheerful, kind fiction editor with transparent prices
Manda made my words flow like hot chocolate
The Human Fiction Editor
Have you written a romance, fantasy, women’s fiction, YA or science fiction novel?
Do you want to publish with confidence?
I'm here to help you turn your manuscript into a published novel you can be proud of. If you book my editing services you will be working directly with me, one-to-one.
I can promise you a human touch at all times, free from subcontractors, agencies and AI.
As a friendly, cheerful, supportive editor, I promise to make the editing process as positive as possible, from the initial point of contact right through to final sign-off.
I offer safe-space editing and I believe there is space for kindness in every interaction.
My Services
Line Editing (Copyediting)
Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Line-Editing (Copyediting)
This is line by line, word by word, detailed editing that ensures the reading experience is the best it can possibly be.
Working through your manuscript from beginning to end, I suggest alterations to your text, adding comments for clarification. Note: these are suggestions. This is your book, and your baby, and you know it best.
When I line-edit your book, I will be looking at:
- General punctuation, spelling and grammar
- Point of view and head-hopping
- Overuse of stage direction
- The use of tentative language
- Overwriting
- Unnecessary adverbs
- Showing vs telling
- Excessive timeline nudges
- Character description
- Chapter and section endings and beginnings
- Action beats
- Tense
- Sentence length and rhythm
- Dialogue (and thoughts) formatting, punctuation, idioms, dialects and tags
- Conscious language, inclusivity and stereotyping
As with most editors, I use MS Word Track Changes. This means that you get to see each and every suggested change, and can choose to accept or reject each one individually (if you so wish!). I make changes directly to your manuscript, and I also use the comments function to explain, ask questions, point out the bits I really love, and make suggestions.
My fees are completely transparent, and are clearly displayed on my website (www.mandawaller.co.uk).
Style Sheet: As well as the detailed, word-by-word edit, I also provide you with a style sheet. This is a document that records the major editorial decisions taken during the editing process (for example, -ise or -ize, double speech marks or single, etc.). This is particularly useful if someone else is going to work on your manuscript (a proofreader, for example), or where your novel is going to form part of a series.
Editorial Report: For every manuscript, I include a brief editorial report. This looks at your manuscript, highlighting your strengths and identifying areas that could be strengthened. This report uses examples taken from your manuscript, offers supportive, constructive suggestions and, where applicable, details of further resources. The idea is that, at the end of the editing process, you feel encouraged, supported and empowered to continue writing more, even better books.
email me: [email protected]
Developmental Editing
If you aren't confident about the overall shape of your novel, I also offer manuscript appraisals and developmental editing. Coming before line-editing, both these services review the big picture elements (plot, pace, structure, conflict, tension, characterisation and voice).
A manuscript critique does not make changes to your text - instead, you will receive a comprehensive report outlining suggestions for you to apply yourself.
A developmental edit leaves detailed, actionable comments within your manuscript, and you will also receive a comprehensive editorial report outlining suggestions for you to apply.
My fees are listed on the homepage of my website.
Proofreading
After your manuscript has been edited, my proofreading service spots any final errors.
Checks include: punctuation, spelling, paragraph indentation, section and chapter breaks, capitalisation, surplus spaces, inconsistencies.
My fees are listed on the homepage of my website.
Genres
Romance (all sub-genres and spice levels)
Chick Lit and RomCom
Women's Fiction
Fantasy
Young Adult
Middle Grade
Science Fiction
Experience
- Editor for over 30 years
- Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
- Affiliate Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors
- Member of Contemporary Romance Writers
- Member of the British Fantasy Society
- 80+ author relationships
- Contracted freelancer for 5 publishing houses
Editorial training
- Fiction Editing (CIEP)
- Proofreading (CIEP)
- Copyediting (CIEP)
- Developmental Editing (Club Ed Freelancers)
- Fiction Report Writing (Louise Harnby)
- CIEP Conference 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Show, Don't Tell Workshop (Contemporary Romance Writers)
- Self-editing for Authors (Contemporary Romance Writers)
- Word for Practical Editing (CIEP)
- Romance for Editors (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Editing Sex Scenes (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Efficient Editing (CIEP)
- Editing Science Fiction and Fantasy (Club Ed Freelancers)
- Editing Short Stories and Novellas (Club Ed Freelancers)
- Editing for Point of View and Perspective (Club Ed Freelancers)
- Editing the Romance (Club Ed Freelancers)
Manda's editing is like pouring water on a slightly wilted plant
Business training
- Clearer Communication
- Business Management
- Effective Customer Service
- Team Management
- Budget Management
- Time Management
Formal Qualifications
- BA Hons English Literature
- BA Hons Sociology
Testimonials
Leanne Marshall, Women's Fiction Writer: Communication was second to none. Insight was second to none. Attention to detail was second to none. Finished product/editorial review was second to none. Very happy with Manda’s services and would use for future manuscripts without a doubt.
Christine Lee, Magical Realism Writer: Manda was excellent – always on the ball with any questions I had, and always giving concise answers. The editing process was more than I was expecting, and the editorial report exceeded my expectations too – very in depth, but very easy to understand. Manda was extremely helpful, honest and approachable with any issues I had.
James Maughan, YA Fantasy Writer: Manda is a fantastic editor. Her feedback was honest, informative and intelligent. Her work was excellent and allowed me to achieve a level of professionalism in my work, that I could not have attained without her input. She knows her subject inside and out, and I’ve grown to trust and value her opinions. I will definitely be using her again.
Stacy Coffey, YA Writer: Manda was just amazing! I hired her to edit a novel for me and she was thorough, expertly knowledgeable about everything from grammar and syntax to sensitivity issues in the content. And most importantly to me, she was professional and kind when giving me feedback on my work. I’m an artist and my ego is delicate! But Manda was able to convey her thoughts on the work in a constructive and positive manner. When her edit of the book was finished, she sent me both the red marked version of the manuscript, so I could see changes, and the clean, unmarked version, such a help! She also kept me updated throughout the process and came in two days under deadline. Manda’s a solid pro!
Boris Stevenson, YA Horror Writer: Manda’s edits and feedback were incredibly valuable, insightful, and showcased her attention to detail and evident experience. Ever professional, she met timelines, communicated clearly, and exceeded expectation. I will be contacting her in the future for other projects.
Sean James, Fantasy Writer: Manda is one of the best I have ever used. I cannot stress how professional this woman is. Very easy to work with, very easy to communicate with and makes things so simple. Honestly, if you do not use her you have rocks in your head.
Rahull Ravi, Dawn Hill Publications: Thoroughly professional service. She made sure to understand our unique requirements prior to starting the project. Once we began the proofreading project, Manda was timely and stuck to the deadlines we agreed upon. She has a great eye for catching out errors in punctuation, grammar as well as identifying any potential improvements in the plot and characters themselves. Would highly recommend to anyone who needs a reliable editor/proofreader at an affordable rate!
There are lots more testimonials on my website: Testimonials
email me: [email protected]
Service(s)
Specialisms
Client types
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.