Discover your book’s errors, plot holes and other issues before your readers do.

I’m a friendly, experienced editor and proofreader, specialising in books set in France, mysteries and thrillers, historical fiction, memoirs and biographies.

Proofreading and editing is not only my job, but my passion. I take pride in helping self-published authors and publishers produce work of an exceptional standard.

I also offer mentoring sessions to show you the way forward with your author website, and I’m the author of Improve Your Author Website.

My areas of editing expertise

Fiction editing

I edit novels across a wide range of genres but specialise in:

  • mysteries and thrillers
  • historical fiction
  • books set in France

Depending on the level of editing you require, I will check for:

  • plot holes
  • characterisation
  • issues with grammar, spelling and punctuation
  • author voice
  • word choice and flow
  • factual accuracy
  • and much more

Nonfiction editing

I edit a broad range of nonfiction but specialise in:

  • memoirs and autobiographies
  • biographies and historical content
  • books with a French connection

Depending on the level of editing you require, I will check for:

  • factual accuracy
  • author voice
  • issues with grammar, spelling and punctuation
  • issues with tables and diagrams
  • consistency of references
  • issues with tables of contents
  • and much more

Training and credentials

Editing isn’t a regulated industry. It can be difficult to know which editors you can trust to treat your work with care and produce a high-quality edit.

I’m a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and have an MA in modern languages from the University of Oxford.

I have passed several CIEP courses and have worked on many books for previous clients, covering a diverse range of genres and topics. For a selection of projects I’ve worked on, visit my portfolio.

I also offer a sample editing service so you can see what I can offer before committing to a full edit.

CIEP Professional Member
Alliance of Independent Authors Partner Member

My services for authors and publishers

Line editing

I will carefully work through your manuscript line by line to improve word choice, flow and sentence structure, while taking care to retain your unique author’s voice.

Copyediting

I will check for a broad range of problems, including grammar, spelling and punctuation, flow, style and author voice. I will also carry out a degree of fact-checking.

Proofreading

I will work on your designed, typeset proof, seeking errors that have crept in during revision, plus formatting, layout, page numbering, headers, footers, table of contents and more.

First 10,000 words

An affordable option to discover ways to improve your whole manuscript. You will receive a line edit and/or copyedit, style sheet and editorial report.

Sample edit

Try before you buy! I’ll edit or proofread up to 2,500 words of your choice and a short editorial report containing advice you can apply to your whole book.

Books set in France

I’ll carry out a normal line edit, copyedit or proofread, plus check any French dialogue and placenames, and authenticity of setting and characters.

Kind words from previous clients

Exceptional talent

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Debbie has all the skills of a top-notch editor: a sharp intellect that can sort out all the various angles of any given piece of writing; a keen eye for detail; an excellent communication and work ethic.

Debbie is also punctual, reliable and kind. She also makes the whole process fun and collegial.
Aran Thomas
Author of Welcome to Planet Earth

World-class editor

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Debbie is a world-class editor, so professional and thorough in her work. Our book was all over the place in voice, tone, and development. After she finished, our book was…well…an actual book.

We hired her for line editing but she did way more than that. She made this book come to life.
Jaslin and Yusuf Varzideh
Infinite Creations

I can’t recommend her highly enough

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I would give Debbie 6 stars if it was possible. She made this ordeal easy for me especially since it was my first book.

She respectfully corrected without being condescending, which made it easier for me to work with her.

I can’t recommend her highly enough.
T E Anyansi
Author of Nigerians, Unshackle Yourselves

Improve Your Author Website

Available in paperback, hardback, Kindle, EPUB and PDF

Clear actionable advice to make your author website a marketing powerhouse.

Your website is your most effective promotional tool … if used correctly. Tap its full potential.

  • Attract more readers
  • Increase book sales
  • Expand your reach

This book is packed with practical advice on every aspect of your author website.

Improve Your Author Website, a comprehensive guide, by Debbie Emmitt, available in ebook, Kindle, hardback and paperback

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