Ms Michelle Griffin

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Please note that I am currently fully booked until Dec 2024

Experienced editor and proofreader (16 years in-house; freelance since 2019) of non-fiction, and commercial and literary fiction.

Hello! I’m Michelle, and I am a qualified and highly experienced editor and proofreader. I have a particular interest in fiction – particularly anything sci-fi, fantasy, romance, supernatural and mythology-based (if your work even touches upon one of these genres, you can rest assured that you and I will have plenty to talk about!) – and in history. While my main research and past studies have focused on Irish history – and I have worked on many books on the subject! – I also have a keen interest in world history, as well as in academic assessments of modern literature and drama.

The publishing world can be demanding, changeable and all-consuming, but I love everything about it. I especially enjoy working directly with an author and helping them fine-tune their work – whether that means drilling down to find the real heart of a story and helping bring it to the fore; working out the kinks in a plot; or emphasising the key information in history texts or memoirs. It is a unique and immensely satisfying relationship, one built on trust and mutual respect; authors and publishers need to know that their book is in safe hands, and I pride myself on being knowledgeable and professional, but also open, friendly, and fun to work with.

I have extensive experience of bringing a book through the entire publishing process: from commission to print. So, whether you have a fiction or non-fiction title; are at the start of your publishing journey and would like some feedback on your work; or are getting close to the finish line and just need someone to hunt down those last few typos, I can help you tell your story.

Media

Books, Illustrated books, Multi-author books, Educational materials

In-house and freelance experience

Freelance since 2019

Production editor/editor, Blackstaff Press, 2006 to 2019

Editor, Colourpoint Creative, 2017 to 2019

Editor, Brehon Press, 2003 to 2012 (6 years part-time voluntary)

Training

Proofreading PDFs (PTC), 2022

Efficient Editing (CIEP), 2022

Fiction Editing (CIEP), 2022

Editing Digital Content (CIEP), 2021

Advanced Copyediting (PTC), 2019

Clients for whom you have worked within the past three years

HarperCollins UK

HarperCollins Ireland

Bloomsbury/Head of Zeus

Voyager/Magpie Press

One More Chapter

Borough Press

Bonnier Books

Heligo

Black & White

Eriu

New Island

Gill Books

Blackstaff Press

Irish Academic Press

Dingle Publishing

Colourpoint Creative

Northern Ireland Publications Resource (NIPR)

Prime Cut Theatre Company

Subjects

Fiction (popular, supernatural/science-fiction/mythology/fantasy, historical, literary, adult)

Children's/YA/teenage publishing (fiction –  educational/informative – history, mythology)

History (19th century, 20th century, Irish, British, Northern Irish, local, World War I, World War II)

Biography/autobiography/memoirs (20th century, 21st century, historical, literary, musical, political, business)

Qualifications

BA Irish History/Politics

MA Irish History

Specialised Software

Adobe Acrobat, PDF Expert

testimonials

'Michelle is one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced and accomplished editors and we place work with her regularly and without hesitation. She has an excellent and sustained track-record of completing work to the highest standard for us. Whether she is assessing and developing manuscripts, doing substantive or line by line editing, catching legal issues or other sensitivities, or sourcing illustrations and clearing permissions, she does a first-class class job. She is experienced across a whole range of genres – memoir, fiction, history, politics – and has worked on heavily illustrated books, meaning that she has just as keen an eye when it comes to design and layout issues as she does in editorial matters. Her in-house experience means that she understands the publishing process from beginning to end and she quickly grasps a set brief and works to it, gives appropriate updates on progress (flagging issues as necessary), and always provides thorough and helpful handover documents.

I recommend Michelle without hesitation to authors and publishers; she has been a valuable asset to Blackstaff and to me in my work as managing editor.' 

Patsy Horton, managing editor, Blackstaff Press

'Michelle Griffin was a key member of the editorial team for 'Girls Who Slay Monsters' and her work was exceptional throughout the project. She carefully considered the big picture of each story within her process, and had a keen eye for detail. Booksellers, authors, and readers of all ages have praised the prose in this book, and Michelle’s work has undoubtedly contributed to this.' 

Ellen Ryan, 'Girls Who Slay Monsters: Daring Tales of Ireland’s Forgotten Goddesses' (HarperCollins 2022) – Winner of the An Post Children’s Book of the Year (2022)  

'Michelle Griffin was the copyeditor on my novel 'Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau', and I was overwhelmed by her attention to detail, professionalism and sensitivity. She ‘got’ the tone of the novel brilliantly, and all her comments showed a very finely-tuned ability to get the best out of the text. This is my ninth novel, so I have worked with many editors, but with Michelle I knew I was in expert hands from the moment I saw her report. Her detailed timelines and character lists helped me to keep track of dates and events, and have even helped me as I embark on writing the sequel. Working with Michelle was one of my most positive editorial experiences in a long career. I very much hope to work with her again and recommend her very warmly indeed.' 

Sheena Wilkinson, 'Mrs Harts Marriage Bureau' (HarperCollins, 2023)

'Michelle Griffin was the copyeditor for my debut novel. Her work was scrupulous and thorough. She really engaged with the overall direction of the manuscript whilst maintaining a meticulous approach to the details. Although the  narrative voice in 'The Deadwood Encore' is idiosyncratic and colloquial, Michelle took this in her stride. This is indicative of her commitment to a collaborative approach. I have no doubt her work strengthened and improved my manuscript. I hope any future writing I produce would be subjected to the level of professionalism and care Michelle gave to this book. She also brings a positive engagement and energy to her work which made this part of the process very enjoyable. Her work gave me an extra level of confidence sending my story out into the world. My experience of this process would make me happy to recommend Michelle for copyediting work.'

Kathleen Murray, 'The Deadwood Encore' (HarperCollins, 2022)

The relationship between editor and author has the potential to generate depression, anxiety and lots of sleepless nights. This was not the case with Michelle, her professionalism and meticulous approach was balanced by a generosity of spirit and the ability to extract my literary best as we edited our way through my manuscripts.’

Tom Hartley, Lord Mayor of Belfast, 2008–09 (Written in Stone series, Blackstaff Press)

Michelle Griffin is one of the very best. She is scrupulous, sensitive and gifted. The book she worked on required not only a special editor but a special person, such were the sensitivities involved. And, while being meticulous about what the book needed, she was never anything other than keenly, instinctively alert to the human beings concerned.' 

Damian Gorman, 'So Young' (Blackstaff Press, 2022)

‘Michelle is an excellent and dedicated editor and I believe her editing input substantially improved my manuscript. The vast majority of changes that she suggested I make were eventually incorporated into the finished text. Now, when I read the book, I am really glad those changes were made. She struck the right balance between improving the narrative while remaining focused on the deadline. She was meticulous and thorough and I found working with Michelle enjoyable and hugely beneficial. Apart from being personable, she is forthright, honest and committed. I cannot recommend her highly enough.’

Kevin Doyle, 'A River of Bodies' (Blackstaff Press, 2019) 

• Editor
• Proofreader