Hi, I'm Elise
Freelance Editor
I’ve spent five years working in the publishing industry, predominantly in the literary division of global talent management agency YMU. I supported Global M.D. Amanda Harris, now of Maven Literary, offering editorial support to writers and colleagues and reviewing hundreds upon hundreds of submissions. As Junior Literary Agent, I represented literary and upmarket fiction and narrative non-fiction, and worked on further projects spanning the breadth of the industry, from children’s to cookery, commercial fiction to self help, and from memoir to soft business. The best thing about my job was helping an author realise the full potential of their writing, and I'm excited to continue working directly with writers.
My role is to be an advisor and collaborator. My notes and suggestions will work in conversation with your writing, aiming to clarify your vision and offer a fresh pair of eyes. I’m here to help your submission stand out, your manuscript shine, and your confidence grow.
Services
Feedback on your query letter, opening chapters and synopsis, designed to help clarify your pitch and ensure your submission stands out in busy inboxes.
Submission Package Review
Focusing on plot, character and structure, this is big picture support. I’ll provide an editorial letter with queries and suggestions, and will leave comments in the m/s for specific feedback.
Developmental Edit
A close textual edit for clarity and consistency, as well as spelling and grammar.
Copy Edit
If you’re not ready for a full developmental edit, an assessment will give you a diagnostic report of topline editorial and positioning thoughts. This is available to authors with a completed manuscript and those still in-progress.
Editorial Assessment
Author Testimonials
Louise Powell, Underdogs (John Murray Press)
"I had the pleasure of working editorially with Elise when she was my literary agent. We took my manuscript through a structural edit, with a focus on narrative arcs and interiority, then moved onto a line edit. Throughout this process, I was deeply impressed by the depth and quality of Elise’s notes. They were delivered with the utmost professionalism, sensitivity, and respect for a world not traditionally represented in books. As a Northern, working-class writer who grew up below the poverty line, I had felt very apprehensive about the editorial process, but Elise made it an utter delight. Thanks in no small part to her incredible notes, my manuscript went on to secure a book deal with a ‘Big 5’ publisher. I would work again with Elise in a heartbeat, and very highly recommend her editorial services"
Dakota Warren, Be Happy I Am Mad (Simon and Schuster)
"I signed with Elise because she immediately understood what I was trying to achieve on the page and was just as excited about the manuscript as I was. Her editorial feedback was thoughtful, rigorous, and always rooted in bringing out the strongest version of the work. She helped transform a very early draft into something far more cohesive yet also ambitious, while never losing sight of the heart of the story. The manuscript we eventually sold would not have existed in the same form without her guidance. Elise a brilliant editorial partner, deeply perceptive, and I can’t recommend her services enough"
Editor Testimonials
Ella Harold, Commissioning Editor at Fig Tree (PRH)
"Elise has impeccable taste in fiction, and an eye for the winning combination of stylish writing and engaging story that makes a novel click. I would trust her insights entirely"
Linda Mohamed, Fiction Commissioning Editor at Faber
"Elise has an acute commercial eye and a true passion for writing of the highest quality. I know she will be a joy to work with"
Serena Arthur, Commissioning Editor at Footnote Press (Bonnier)
"Elise is a joy to work with, with a great editorial eye. She kept YMU Fiction going and I’m very sure that she will be just as dedicated and meticulous in this new role as she was in the previous one"