Nicky Taylor | Commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery and suspense. Travel writing, food and drink, humorous memoir

Relax! You’ve done the hard work, so now it’s time to let someone else help. Are you looking for a careful and supportive editor to enhance your voice and give your writing a professional edge, enabling you to share and publish with confidence? Maybe you’ve just completed your first manuscript or you’re a more experienced writer; either way, I can help you to tell your story in the best way possible.

I specialise in developmental, line and copy editing of fiction and creative non-fiction, including thrillers, mystery and suspense, and travel memoir and food writing. Whether you plan to self-publish or submit to agents, I can offer a personal, flexible solution based on your individual requirements, priorities and goals. I work with independent authors from around the world, many of whom are repeat clients.

My aim is to always be empathetic and encouraging, helping you to connect with your readers in an engaging and accessible way, while respecting your unique style and voice. And hopefully, I can help you become a better writer. Think of it as a collaboration, where I have your best interests at heart.

Meet the editor: after twelve hectic years working in artist PR in the music industry, it was time for a lifestyle change. So, in 2001 I left the bright lights of London behind and set off on a sailing adventure. Since then, I’ve lived in various Mediterranean countries and islands, including Sicily, Greece, and Corsica, where I worked in tourism for ten years. I’ve now exchanged life afloat for dry land and live in Palma, Mallorca, an inspiring and cosmopolitan city, where I’m lucky enough to have the wonderful Mercat de l'Olivar indoor food market on my doorstep. I run the Writers and Readers in the Balearics Facebook group and host the regular Palma Writers Group.

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Genres and specialist areas

I edit fiction and creative non-fiction. A common thread in many of the books I've worked on is that they are set in locations around the world and often incorporate some foreign language. My areas of particular interest and expertise are:

Fiction

• contemporary/modern/upmarket/commercial/literary
• thrillers: psychological, destination, academia, legal, political, espionage/spy
• mystery and suspense, cosy mysteries
• trip fiction and holiday noir
• crime, cosy crime, domestic/suburban noir
• women's fiction

Creative non-fiction

• travel writing, tourism
• food and drink, cookery
• memoir: humour, travel, new life abroad
• sailing
• music

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Editorial services

Developmental editing, line and copy editing, and editorial consultancy

Developmental editing, also known as structural or substantive editing, addresses the big-picture issues and looks at how successfully your book works as a whole. Is your plot compelling and plausible? Are your characters fully dimensional? Does your story drag at times? Is the structure coherent? Does it match reader expectations? A developmental edit looks at your work objectively and offers constructive feedback on its strengths and weaknesses, providing suggestions for development and improvement in the form of an in-depth editorial report and comments throughout the manuscript.

Line and copy editing: this is editing at sentence level. Line editing – also known as stylistic editing – focuses on style, rhythm and flow. Copy editing concentrates on technical accuracy, consistency and clarity. I offer a combination of line and copy editing, balanced according to the individual needs of the manuscript. A line and copy edit will fine-tune your writing and iron out any ambiguity, repetition, redundancy, writerly tics or awkward syntax. It will also check for any plot, timeline, setting and character inconsistencies, and fix grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Editorial consultancy: if you need help with your manuscript but it isn't ready for developmental editing, book coaching may be what you're looking for. And for existing clients I can also help with editorial consultancy in areas such as self-publishing advice, submissions, query letters, synopses, back cover blurbs and author biographies.

►  For full details of the services I offer, please visit my website.

You're not on your own! I only take on a few new clients each year, because I'm invested in your writing future and building a long-term relationship. I love working with an author early on and seeing a project through to publication, helping you through the developmental stage, enhancing your writing during line and copy editing, and being there if you need advice or someone to ensure your cover and sales blurb is effective. While I'll always recommend someone else does the proofread, I'm here to offer support, whether during the self-publishing process or if you're approaching agents.

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Qualifications, training and CPD

As well as having a BA (Hons) degree in Publishing and English Literature, I've undertaken extensive editorial training. Course providers include the CIEP, Queen's University, Canada, the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), Club Ed, Liminal Pages, and Louise Harnby. Most recently, I've completed the EFA's Line Editing of Commercial Fiction: Advanced. 

►  To see full details of my qualifications, training and CPD, please visit my website.

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Client testimonials

Don’t just take my word for it! Here’s a taste of what my clients have to say about working with me:

Working with Nicky Taylor has been a true highlight of my publishing adventure. As an editor, she brings out the best in you, gently encouraging you to refine your voice while staying true to it. Nicky has a remarkable gift for recognising the importance of tone and individuality, helping the quirks in my style to shine rather than smoothing them away. 

From the moment we began working together, Nicky just got me in a way that still makes me smile. Her insightful feedback, coupled with a healthy dose of humour (gosh, those Track Changes comments were gold!), turned the editing process into a joy rather than a chore. She has an incredible knack for helping you see your writing in a whole new light – always supportive, never critical. I felt encouraged, respected, and expertly guided throughout.

Nicky brings out the best in your work with such grace and professionalism that I honestly can't believe I struck lucky on my very first try. I'm already looking forward to our next collaboration. If you're looking for an editor who's not only highly skilled but also genuinely invested in your success, Nicky is the one. Total treasure.

—Zoe Langley-Wathen, author, 630 Miles Braver: Midlifing on the South West Coast Path

Nicky's help was central to the (very unexpected) success of Shock Therapy. She really contributed to the shape of the narrative, as well as having a great eye for detail. I'm now in discussion on TV and film rights and have decided to spend next year writing full-time. When I’ve got a decent draft of the sequel, The Beijing Book Club, I won't hesitate to go straight back to Nicky for round two. I can't recommend Nicky highly enough.

—Angus Blair, author, Shock Therapy (The Times Thriller of the Month December 2023)

Developmental editing is an art involving a high level of expertise, skill, and alchemy. Nicky has it all. It’s rare to find someone who can so easily move between a narrative arc and small – but vital – details, especially in a mystery novel. Her stylistic edits make your prose flow with ease, and her comments always teach you something in the process. I highly recommend giving your next manuscript to Nicky so she can work her magic!

—Rose Donovan, author, The Art of Murder, Murder in a Mask (Partners in Spying series), The Mystery of Ruby's Stiletto (Ruby Dove Mysteries)

The most important member of any publishing team is the editor. Nicky patiently picks my book to pieces, cuts out irrelevant ramblings. Lets me know if I stray into irrelevance and suggests where I need to elaborate. When she presents me with the final product, it’s been transformed. So, if you enjoy my books, give a thought to Nicky, who made them the best they can be. Thank you, Nicky. You are certainly the best.

—Peter Barber, author, The Parthenon Paradox, A Parthenon in Pefki, Musings from a Greek Village, Musings from a Pandemic

Working with Nicky Taylor was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Having completed my first draft manuscript and as a new author, I was ignorant of the editing process. I approached four potential editors. Nicky was the only one who didn't rush to sell me an off-the-shelf product, taking the time to understand my motivations for writing and whether we would collaborate well together. She explained in detail how she could assist me in producing a better book and, from that point, I always felt that she completely bought into my goals for the book. We were a team, with different perspectives at times, but with one objective in mind: to produce the best book we could.
 
Nicky brought insights and perspectives to my novel that I hadn't seen before, and some of her advice was absolutely critical to shaping the second draft. There have been so many pieces of advice that have undoubtedly made me a better writer and will be taken forward into a sequel. I certainly look forward to our next collaboration. Anyone working with Nicky on their manuscript will be in for a great experience. Trust her and you will end up with a better book.

—Neil Boss, author, Maybe It's About Time

Look no further. You have found an editor who truly cares about you and your manuscript. Nicky Taylor is fantastic! Her gentle approach to suggested edits and her ideas as to what to cut and how to expand my story made all the difference in the final manuscript. Nicky was super responsive to my questions and gave honest feedback. Besides being a professional who takes her job seriously, she is also a kind-hearted spirit who will guide you to the final page.

—Mary Knight, author, The Sicilian Sorceress

If you are publishing your first book, you need Nicky Taylor. If you are publishing your tenth, you still need Nicky Taylor. She is superlative and probably the best editor in the world, and I cannot imagine working with anyone else. She goes six extra miles and makes your book so much better than it was. She also makes you feel good about yourself and your talent.

—Elizabeth Mostyn, author, The Only True Remedy, The Heights of Abraham, The Arc of Blood (The Phenomenological Detective Series)

In 2020 I completed the final draft of my memoir and had the great fortune of being introduced to Nicky Taylor. Within two months, I received a thorough, brilliantly composed editorial report that highlighted the strengths of the book and detailed areas of improvement. I used portions of this report to finalize my manuscript, to query literary agents and finally, to recently land a six-figure book deal with a major American publisher, Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. I could not be more thrilled, and I credit that early work with Nicky for helping to get me here today!

—Dr Mary F. Asfari, author, This is a Ghost Story

Nicky Taylor did a fantastic job with my novel. I was a rank amateur and completely clueless when it came to editing. Nicky patiently guided me through the whole process, making it as painless as possible. She provided me with a professional finished product that I am proud to offer for sale. I highly recommend Nicky to anyone looking for a top-notch editor.

—Lynn McAvenia, author, Dearly Departed (The Happy Spine Club series)

After several years of writing and rewriting my first crime thriller novel, I had reached an impasse. I decided that I wanted to go down the self-publishing route, but before putting my novel out into the world I knew I needed to hire an editor. Finding Nicky helped me achieve that dream. Hiring her to do a developmental and line edit of my novel was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Nicky took my novel and constructively and sensitively went through it line by line, providing me with professional and supportive feedback, help, comments and suggestions while keeping my voice and style of writing intact.

Nicky’s editorial report and style sheet were exemplary, and I was blown away by how detailed and instructive they were. They have helped show me where I needed to condense and expand my writing and develop my characters further, while at the same time killing my darlings, as the saying goes, who weren’t necessary to the story, and improving upon my spelling, grammar and syntax, to make my novel snappier and stand out.

It has been a privilege to collaborate with her, and to anyone out there who is looking for an editor themselves, I say this: you couldn’t be in a better or safer pair of hands. I would highly recommend Nicky to you. I have learned a great deal from her, which I will take with me as I venture into my next novel.

—Kevin G. Robinson, author, Knight’s Gambit

Over the course of my career, I’ve confidently written countless articles, features, press releases, and video and radio scripts. But penning a novel is different from writing non-fiction. Was my manuscript good enough for publication? Reminding myself that using a professional editor didn’t mean losing control of my work, I hired Nicky’s services. Her input was a revelation, enabling me to make relatively small changes that made a big difference to the final MS. And it was a pleasure working with her. Not only have Nicky’s expertise and experience significantly improved my debut novel, what I’ve learnt will be beneficial when I draft the second.

—Jan Edwards, author, Daughter of Deià

►  You can read more testimonials here

• Editor

• Fiction
• Action & adventure
• Biography, autobiography & memoir
• Crime, mystery & thriller
• Food & cooking
• Historical fiction
• Humour & satire
• Literary fiction
• Narrative non-fiction
• Travel & tourism

• Indie authors

• Self-publishing
• Book coaching