I weigh words with care, shape stories with skill, aid the author and remember the reader.
I shape proposals and manuscripts to make them the best they can be. I have the knowledge and experience to help you as an author to navigate the publishing industry.
My freelance services
Whether you are aiming to be traditionally published or working to self-publish your book, I can help you on your journey. The main editorial services I offer are as follows, but I can be flexible in adapting my services to meet your goals and budget. Please get in touch to discuss your project and to arrange an informal initial chat.
- Query letter review – Are you preparing to submit your proposal to agents or publishers? Get my feedback as an experienced commissioning editor and publisher to help you refine your query letter and sample material, to give you the best possible chance of getting your book accepted.
- Editorial assessment – For a more in-depth assessment, I can review your full manuscript and give big picture feedback on the content, structure and style of your book, its readiness for publication and its commercial potential.
- Developmental editing – The same big picture feedback as an editorial assessment, but also with detailed inline comments and suggested edits on the text, to help get the overall storyline or structure of the book right, on a chapter-by-chapter and section-by-section basis. Ideal if you are self-publishing and want your book’s overall structure and narrative shaped to a professional standard.
- Copy-editing – This is more of a detailed polish, best done when you are happy that you have the right overall shape of the book. Here I focusing on paragraph-by-paragraph and sentence-by-sentence style, consistency, clarity and so on to make the book as readable and impactful as possible, with correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Ebook production – do you need a more sophisticated approach than an automated conversion can provide? I have EPUB and mobi production experience, able to create high-quality ebook files that provide that extra human touch and level of design polish.
What my authors say
“Caleb’s editorial work was a game changer for the publication of my book. I appreciated both the depth of his engagement and the breadth of knowledge he brought to the text. His editorial style was delightfully suggestive, so I never once felt that my own voice was being squeezed out.”
– Andrew Fellows, author of Smuggling Jesus Back into the Church
“Working as my editor, Caleb was a steady hand and winsome guide to steer me through the process. My book started as a capable text with promise and Caleb helped me craft it into something excellent.”
– Alastair Gordon, artist and author of Why Art Matters
Selected titles I’ve worked on
My experience
My experience is primarily in “trade” non-fiction (i.e. popular-level, commercial non-fiction rather than academic or educational books). I specialise in Christian books, bringing strong theological and Biblical knowledge and careful cultural sensitivity to my editing. I also enjoy working with authors of all beliefs, perspectives and life experiences. I have a particular knowledge of Wales and Welsh culture, including speaking the Welsh language.
Most recently I have been working as Publisher, Calon Books, the trade non-fiction imprint of University of Wales Press on intelligent popular books connected to Wales and Welsh culture. I was Publishing Director for IVP Books from 2019-23, managing the overall IVP list of Christian books, commissioning titles and editing manuscripts. I have also worked in-house for Scripture Union Publishing and Hodder & Stoughton in editorial roles, as well as on freelance editorial projects.
I also enjoy science fiction, fantasy and children’s books, with a deep understanding of narrative structure and storytelling principles. My English Literature MA in children’s literature and medievalism, with particular focus on C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, T. H. White and the medieval Arthurian tradition.
I also offer digital freelance services, including designing author websites and digital marketing strategy and content creation, so if you need help promoting your books online, get in touch.
Arrange a free consultation
I’d love to hear from you about your book proposal or manuscript. Please get in touch to discuss and to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your goals and requirements. You can also reach me via publishing freelancing platform Reedsy.
