How I can help you

As a freelance editor and writer, and passionate children’s specialist, I can offer:

  • Project managing and looking after titles editorially from initial concept to final files
  • Commissioning, briefing, directing and nurturing authors and illustrators
  • Developing new formats and content for character properties
  • Reviewing and reporting on manuscripts for agents and authors
  • Editorially guiding illustrators on their journey to become storytellers
  • Developing concepts, writing storylines and story shaping
  • Writing to brief, including novelty, activity, pre-school, non-fiction and picture books
  • Structural editing and line editing to shape, pace and polish manuscripts
  • Copy-editing and proofreading

My clients include Walker Books, Bodleian Children’s Books, Bradt Travel Guides, Owlet Press, Quarto Children’s Books, Oxford Children’s Books, Storymix and Wonderbly.

So whatever your project, no matter how big or small, if you are looking for someone with creative flair and a flexible approach, then please do get in touch via my contact page.

Testimonials

Yuval Zommer, Author

“Helen is that rare thing: an editor who is both conceptual and visual. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Helen on two picture book titles and benefitted not only from her incredible attention to detail but also from her knack as to what makes a book travel. It’s mainly due to her intuitive expertise that both titles are as well received and have as many co-editions.”

Korky Paul, Illustrator

“Helen has played a major role in developing the Winnie and Wilbur brand, carefully crafting and editing the stories and guiding me through the illustrations. I love working with Helen and am full of admiration and respect for all the work and effort she has put into Winnie and Wilbur.”

Richard Byrne, Author

“Helen was my editor at OUP for nine years and she played a huge part in the creation of the picture books we brought to fruition together. She was always involved from the very start of the creative process, discussing and suggesting ideas based on my sketchbook doodles and her advice was always brilliantly insightful. I am grateful for the many times Helen’s gentle but decisive editorship got me out of a story drought or plot cul-de-sac.”

Layn Marlow, Author

“Helen is an exceptionally talented picture book editor. I’ve always found her to have a light touch coupled with deep understanding and this sensitivity extends to the all-important visuals too. Helen always manages to be friendly, prompt and responsive at the same time as taking a well-considered, thoughtful approach to every project. For me, that’s a perfect combination!”

Kate Harris,
Adviser, Coach, Consultant, Mentor

“I have worked with Helen at both HarperCollins and OUP. She is an intuitive and meticulous editor and publisher, who always demonstrates great judgement. Helen builds collaborative and creative relationships with authors and illustrators, who love working with her. She combines her creative flair with exceptional organisational ability and works well across all departments.”

Liz Cross,
Publishing Director, David Fickling Books

“Helen is an extremely creative, meticulous, and diligent editor who is highly skilled at working with authors and illustrators, as well as at conceptualising, storylining, shaping and writing. She can always be relied on to deliver promptly and thoughtfully on a brief, and I would not hesitate to recommend her.”

Felicity Trew,
Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency

“I’ve worked with Helen on a number of successful titles during her time as commissioning editor at OUP and her dedication, creative flair and commitment to authors and illustrators is first-rate. Helen’s ability to see the potential in even the smallest seed of an idea has always been inspiring and projects have soared off the ground as a result.”