You want your writing to captivate and connect with your audience. You want to draw your readers into the world you’ve created. And you want to be taken seriously. So now, you’re looking for the right editor to help you achieve your goals.
I work with indie authors who choose to self-publish and those who hope to follow the traditional publishing route. I’ve collaborated with first-time authors and experienced writers based worldwide. I aim to be empathetic and encouraging at all times and, through my comments and suggestions, show you how to improve and elevate your writing. It’s always your work, but I can give you the confidence to share it with the world, safe in the knowledge that it’s the best it can be.
I edit fiction and creative non-fiction. A common thread in many of the books I’ve worked on is that they are set in locations around the world, evoking a sense of place, and often incorporate an element of foreign language. I’m also especially keen on suspense; sometimes the smallest changes can amp up the tension, regardless of genre.
My areas of particular interest, expertise and experience are:
Fiction
- contemporary/modern/upmarket/commercial fiction
- thrillers: psychological, legal, political, espionage
- mystery and suspense
- trip fiction and holiday noir
- crime, domestic/suburban noir
- literary fiction
Non-fiction
- travel writing, tourism
- food and drink, cookery
- new life abroad
- memoir
- sailing
- music
‘Working with Nicky Taylor was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Having completed my first draft manuscript and as a new author, I was ignorant of the editing process. I approached four potential editors. Nicky was the only one who didn’t rush to sell me an off-the-shelf product, taking the time to understand my motivations for writing and whether we would collaborate well together. She explained in detail how she could assist me in producing a better book and, from that point, I always felt that she completely bought into my goals for the book. We were a team, with different perspectives at times, but with one objective in mind: to produce the best book we could.
‘Nicky brought insights and perspectives to my novel that I hadn’t seen before and some of her advice was absolutely critical to shaping the second draft. There have been so many pieces of advice that have undoubtedly made me a better writer and will be taken forward into a sequel. I certainly look forward to our next collaboration. Anyone working with Nicky on their manuscript will be in for a great experience. Trust her and you will end up with a better book.’
Meet the editor
After twelve hectic years working in artist PR in the music industry, it was time for a lifestyle change. So, in 2001 I left the bright lights of London behind and set off on a sailing adventure. Since then, I’ve lived in various Mediterranean countries and islands, including Sicily, Greece, and Corsica, where I worked in tourism for ten years. I’ve now exchanged life afloat for dry land and live in Palma, Mallorca, an inspiring and cosmopolitan city, where I’m lucky enough to have the wonderful Mercat de l’Olivar indoor food market on my doorstep. I run the Writers and Readers in the Balearics Facebook group and host the regular Palma Writers’ Group. I speak French and am currently learning Spanish, and have taught English as a Foreign Language.
Qualifications, training and CPD
General and CPD
- BA (Hons) degree in Publishing and English Literature (2:1) | Oxford Brookes University, UK
- TEFL/TESOL certificates (Teaching English as a Foreign/Other Language) | i-to-i, UK
- Diploma in Proofreading and Editing (distinction) | College of Media and Publishing, UK
- Structural Editing Standards (proficient) | Queen’s University, Canada
- Editing with Word | Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP)*, UK
- Editing Recipes and Cookbooks | ACES: The Society for Editing, US
- London Book Fair | 2019, UK
- Annual Conference | Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) | 2020, 2021
- Audiobook Production and Narration | Udemy
- Coaching Writers | Club Ed, US
* Since gaining chartership, the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) has been renamed the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).
Fiction editing and creative writing
- Fiction Editing | Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP)*, UK
- Copy Editing Fiction | Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), US
- Copy Editing and Line Editing for Fiction | Club Ed, US
- Developmental Editing: In Practice | Liminal Pages, UK
- Masterclass: Key Concepts in Developmental Editing | ACES, US
- Developmental Editing of Mystery/Thriller/Suspense | Club Ed, US
- The Developmental Editing Detective | Club Ed/EFA, US
- Crime Fiction Masterclass | The Writers’ Academy (Penguin Random House), UK
- Point of View and Narrative Voice Masterclass | The Writers’ Academy (Penguin Random House), UK
- How to Edit Queries, Synopses, Blurbs and Other Author Collateral | assessed version | Club Ed/EFA, US
- Fiction Editing Mini Conference | Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP)* | 2019, UK
- How to Create the Perfect Submission (seminar) | London Book Fair | 2019, UK
- How to Write the Perfect Fiction Editorial Report | Louise Harnby, UK
- Introduction to Line Editing Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction | EFA, US
- How to Line Edit for Suspense | Louise Harnby, UK
- Writing a Psychological Thriller | Emily Barr, UK (current)
I’m an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), which means I’ve achieved the requisite amount of training, experience and expertise to satisfy their rigorous admissions panel, and a vetted Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). I’m also a full member of ACES: The Society for Editing, a member of the international Association of Independent Publishing Professionals (AIPP), which is dedicated to supporting freelance professionals who provide services for independent authors, and an approved editor on PubLaunch. I’m a firm believer in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and devote time to educating myself through reading and learning from other editors and organisations and keeping up to date with new trends.
