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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 (British and US English). 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.
It’s important that you choose an editor who specialises in your genre or subject, and also that they have professional training (see details of my qualifications and training here). My areas of expertise, experience and particular interest are:
From since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with two things: books and music. The two collided when I did my degree dissertation on The Smiths’ lyrics, and my plans to become a journalist or writer of some sort were soon sidetracked by twelve unforgettable years in the music industry. After gaining in-house record company experience, I joined an independent PR company and became head of radio promotions. During my career I was fortunate enough to work with some incredible artists such as Pulp, The Charlatans, The Verve, Prodigy, Julian Cope, Stereophonics, Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo, Metallica, and many more. It was all-consuming, though, and no surprise that I was burnt out by the end.
So, in 2001, my husband, Paul, and I decided it was time for a lifestyle change. We left the bright lights of London behind and set off on a sailing adventure, literally into the unknown. Since then, I’ve lived in various Mediterranean countries and islands, including Sicily, Greece, and Corsica, where I worked in tourism for ten years. This new, more relaxed lifestyle meant I had plenty of time for reading. Making up for lost time, I rediscovered my love for the written word, brushed up on the skills originally honed during my degree course, and decided to retrain as a professional editor.
There’s only so long you can live on a boat for, I’ve learned, and we’ve now exchanged life afloat for dry land and live in Palma, Mallorca. It’s an inspiring and cosmopolitan city, where I’m lucky enough to have the wonderful Mercat de l’Olivar indoor food market on my doorstep, an endless source of culinary inspiration. I also run the Writers and Readers in the Balearics Facebook group and host the regular Palma Writers’ Group social meetups. Lastly, I speak French and am currently learning Spanish, and have previously taught English as a Foreign Language.
So, that’s a bit about me. I’d love to hear your story!
‘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.’
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 various locations around the world, evoking a strong sense of place, and often incorporate an element of foreign language. I’m also especially focused on suspense; sometimes the smallest changes can amp up the tension, regardless of genre.
It changes on a daily basis, but probably my all-time favourite author is Patricia Highsmith; I love her sense of detail and economy of language, and her intriguing, multidimensional characters. However, my favourite book ever might just be Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. I will also always have a place in my heart for the magic of Ian McEwan’s prose and story structure, especially his earlier work. Contemporary favourites include Louise Candlish, who never fails to create an original, compelling story with a surprise plot twist, and always in a desirable setting; Liz Nugent, who somehow always manages to make the reader care about characters who are actively dislikeable; and Lucy Foley, Harriet Tyce, Erin Kelly, Lucy Atkins, JP Delaney, Lisa Jewell, T.M. Logan, Mark Edwards, and Louise Doughty, to name just a few.
The idea that a moment’s indecision or a chance meeting can change the course of the rest of your life is something that intrigues me, as does the premise of extraordinary things happening to ordinary people. And anything to do with travel and food is likely to have me hooked! Ultimately, whether it’s fiction or creative non-fiction, I love a good story that keeps you wanting to turn the page but also creates a strong emotional connection.
‘Nicky was awesome and stuck with me throughout my entire series. Her care and expertise helped make these books something to be proud of. Thank you for helping me be a better and more confident writer.’
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, and a member of the international Association of Independent Publishing Professionals (AIPP), which is dedicated to supporting freelance professionals who provide services for independent authors. 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.
* Since gaining chartership, the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) has been renamed the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).
