Need some fresh eyes on your writing?
My eyeballs are as fresh as it gets, and they’re ready to read your work.
I’ve been supporting, teaching and mentoring writers for over 15 years, providing editing, proofreading, creative development, a friendly ear and a firm kick up the backside when required. I’ve worked with a huge range of both fiction and non-fiction authors in a whole rainbow of genres, from literary fiction to academia, romance to crime, sci fi and fantasy to self-help books.
My approach can be completely tailored to your needs — whether you’re after some line-by-line editing, a deep dive into your characterisation, a plot overhaul, a visit from the grammar police, or just want a confidence boost to get you back on track. I offer detailed on-page editing, feedback, and video consultations to discuss your work ‘face-to-face’, as well as long-term mentoring options to keep you on the right path.
Editing, critique & mentoring:
Every story, every project and every writer needs a unique approach, so I’m always happy to build a bespoke package to suit your requirements. See below for some examples of the kind of work we can do together.
Pricing will also depend on the depth and type of editing and support you need, so the best way to start is by contacting me to let me know a bit more about your writing and what you’re looking for. Then we can create a plan that suits your requirements and your budget.
Manuscript review
& feedback
If you’re looking for an objective opinion on your story without the nitty gritty of in-line edits, you could benefit from a manuscript review.
Whether you’re embarking on a first draft, putting the final polish on your twelfth draft, or somewhere in the middle, I can help you get some clarity around plot, structure, narrative voice, characterisation, pacing, tone, style and technique.
Basically: “Does my story work?”
In-depth editing
& critique
Get an in-depth critique of your work with detailed, comprehensive line-edits and tailored guidance on how to shape and develop your writing.
My editing and critique services provide a thorough and constructive analysis of your work — from sentence structure to a broad plot overview — along with a full written feedback report full of advice and thought-provoking suggestions.
A personalised editing deep-dive!
Developmental support
& mentoring
If you’re looking for bespoke creative support or longer-term mentoring, let’s put together a package to suit your requirements and get you on the right track.
Developmental support can help you to get a new project off the ground, stay motivated, and work through plot issues and blockages that have you stumped. Includes written feedback and one-to-one video calls to keep yourself accountable, .
Fully tailored to your writing needs.
Looking for something different?
I can also provide feedback on query letters, synopses and agent submissions packages, as well as academic essays, dissertations, competition entries and applications for Arts Council Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grants.
Just wanna have a chat about your writing and get a personalised motivational pep talk? Get in touch and book in a one-to-one video call session!
For long-term mentoring and full-length manuscript editing, payment plans can be arranged. And if affordability is an issue, please let me know, as I try to offer at least one subsidised or free critique every few months.
But most of all, I want to hear about your story, so send me your words!
Make an enquiry:
Testimonials
"I have had the pleasure of working with Jo on my recent book, The Oxygen Advantage. I have no qualms in saying that Jo has been the best editor that I have ever worked with. She added a creative flair to the writing, making it digestible for the everyday reader. She followed the brief, delivering on time and providing feedback and insight where she could. She is a consummate professional and I have no hesitation recommending Jo for any editorial work - book, article or websites." — Patrick McKeown, CEO and founder of The Oxygen Advantage
“I feel like I just got a personalised writing course. Really loved the suggestions on how I could polish, clarify, prune and otherwise improve the flow. Especially how you explain your rationale and do it in a way that doesn’t change my voice. The lessons here go beyond one story and are something I can take forward to future work. Very motivating.”
“Oh my god you’ve made me so happy with the points you've flagged up. You are so clever! I've been nodding away at your ideas — this is absolute gold dust. Your feedback has come at exactly the right time. Thank you so much for the clarity when I was feeling foggy. I'm so excited, this is exactly the morale boost and the shot in the arm I needed. Your feedback is the best present I've ever had!” — Ellie L
“Jo has had a profound impact on my writing. Her wise words have steered me to be better, and her empathy and responsiveness is remarkable. I recommend her whole-heartedly.”
“Jo is extremely talented and knows her stuff when it comes to writing. She has helped me immensely in forming my ideas and structure for my memoir. What started as a simple idea and plan has turned into the beginnings of a comprehensive piece of work in response to her brilliant critique. Her feedback has been thoroughly helpful and encouraging. I really would be lost without her. I will be forever grateful for her help and support she has given me and have had the courage to enter a competition under her guidance. Thank you, Jo!”
— Min D
“Thank you for the work you put in on my story. You gave me the kick up the butt I desperately needed. I feel as though I’ve had a masterclass. I have a reputation for being pedantic and picky when it comes to tweaking a text, but you’ve raised the art of editing to a whole new level. I’ve learned a lot. Every comment you made was spot on.”
“I’ve done a few courses with a creative writing school over the past couple of years and got some useful feedback, but also some rather confusing and/or contradictory comments and suggestions. As newbie whose default is ‘mea culpa’, I felt obliged to make the suggested changes but wasn’t always comfortable with them. Then Jo’s wonderful feedback clarified confusions, encouraged me where to stick to my guns, suggested techniques for improvement, and generally pepped up my confidence no end. From the way she did all this I knew she knew what she was talking about. Her experience, expertise, insight and kindness have been invaluable and without doubt she’ll be my go-to person as I get further into my novel and seek professional feedback and sound advice. No more floundering around with courses, I’ll just be beavering away and submitting to Jo from now on. So happy to have found her.”
— Sue C
“Thank you so much. Your email knocked me for six. I was all prepared for constructive criticism. It hadn’t crossed my mind at all that your comments might be positive.
The day I got your email was pretty much one of the best days of my life. That sounds ridiculous but it’s the first time someone who isn’t my mum or a primary school teacher has said something that’s given me hope that I’m not deluded and that one day I might be able to write a book that people want to read. It was a big deal for me, so thank you.”
“I can't recommend Jo’s editing service highly enough. The feedback I received on my query package was detailed, thorough and framed in a way that was both thought-provoking and encouraging, getting me to consider how I could strengthen what was already on the page and providing a clear path towards achieving that goal. Following a written report which included both big-picture comments and sentence-level in-line suggestions, the query package also included a one-hour Zoom chat with Jo who provided additional thoughts and answered all my questions in a really accessible way. If you are working on a novel, this is definitely something to strongly consider. And if you're working on shorter fiction, I am certain that the other editorial options available are equally as golden.”
— Matt K
“Jo is an experienced, capable pair of hands to help you deliver your newborn story into the world. You’ll have to do the pushing and the wailing, but Jo can expertly guide you, and hold your hand when you need it during the birth of your book. She is warm and encouraging, but can also provide the constructive pointers that we all need, and help you to keep an overall perspective over your story and your journey to its completion. Highly recommend.”
“I have had two critiques from Jo in the past — the first because I was curious, and the second because of how truly excellent the first was. I struggle with plotting and knowing whether it the story working as it should and hitting the right beats. Jo offered really constructive and helpful advice on where to pare things back and where to strengthen things. Two things which sound deceptively simple, but in reality are not. It requires the person doing the critique to have a hold on the world that you have built and the characters that inhabit that world, whilst simultaneously ‘getting’ you as a writer. I loved speaking to Jo — it felt like I was talking to a good friend despite the fact that we had only really communicated via email before that first critique. The advice she offered was constructive, but it was more than that; it felt like she truly cared about my writing, my characters and my story — as if she was rooting for all of us from the side-lines. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Jo’s services again. When you are trying to find your way it can feel difficult and awkward showing your work to others, but my fears were quickly set aside as Jo is so warm, enthusiastic and genuine in her responses. Feedback can be so hard to receive, and I almost always come away from it feeling bruised and needing ‘processing’ time, however after Jo’s I felt confident — in myself and in the writing ahead.”
— Claire S
“Thank you so very much for sharing such detailed feedback on my Develop Your Creative Practice application. You have seen exactly what I’m trying to do, and it is so helpful to have someone else highlight which parts to change, cut or turn up or down.”
“Jo provided invaluable feedback on my proposal and opening chapters — being incredibly encouraging whilst also providing really useful, constructive feedback. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her critique services.”
— Jane S
“Your feedback was more detailed and helpful than four years at uni. I’ll definitely be back with more words.”
“Really great advice. Thanks for your patience and feedback. It’s lovely to have attention given to some of my fiction! Your input was all very constructive and thoughtful.”
— Ned C
“I cannot thank you enough for all your comments. It has really filled me with confidence and drive to improve and keep going.”
“Thank you so much for your feedback! Your comments were great and super helpful. What you said pretty much tracked with what my gut has been telling me."
— Anna
“Thank you so much for your comments — you pinpointed all the places that I too was a bit uncertain about. I’ve really appreciated your advice. it was well worth the money!”
"I'm so grateful for the close reading and critique — your feedback is so on point!"
— Jess T
“Really highlighted issues that I had not been aware of in my writing. The feedback was very thorough, insightful, and it was clear a lot of thought went into it. The process was painless as well, which always helps to know that there is a friendly face out there when you are only just starting out!”
“Thanks for the valuable feedback that helped take my story to a deeper level. I enjoyed collaborating with you.”
— Lisa H
“I completely agree with virtually all of your suggestions. Fresh eyes are so valuable, especially experienced ones such as yours. Very helpful and much appreciated! Thank you!”