Hi. I’m here to help you shape the story you want to tell.

I’m a writer and editor with over 25 years of experience in storytelling, first as a journalist, and now as a novelist and fiction editor. I work with writers who are serious about their craft and looking for thoughtful, constructive support at any stage of the writing process.

Whether you’re in the messy middle of a novel, nearing the end of a memoir, or returning to a project you’re not sure how to finish, I can help you make sense of it – structurally, emotionally, and line by line.

What I offer

I specialise in developmental editing, line editing, manuscript assessment and query packaging.

Developmental Editing: Deep structural work

This is comprehensive editorial support for manuscripts that need significant structural attention – whether you’re wrestling with pacing, your characters aren’t quite landing, or the thematic threads need strengthening.

I’ll read your full manuscript and provide:

• A detailed editorial letter (typically 8-15 pages) covering structure, character arcs, pacing, narrative voice, and thematic coherence
• Margin comments throughout highlighting specific issues and opportunities
• Clear, prioritized revision guidance that respects your vision while pushing the work forward

This is ideal for early-to-mid drafts where you know something isn’t working but can’t quite identify what, or for manuscripts that have potential but need significant reshaping before they’re ready for agents.

From £2,000 – contact for a full quote based on manuscript length and scope.

Line Editing: Refining prose at the sentence level

This is focused work on your manuscript’s language – tightening prose, strengthening voice, improving rhythm and flow, and ensuring clarity without sacrificing style.

I’ll work through your manuscript line-by-line using track changes, addressing:

• Sentence structure and variation
• Word choice and precision
• Redundancy and overwriting
• Rhythm, pacing, and readability
• Consistency of voice and tone
• Clarity of meaning

Drawing on 20 years of editing news copy to exacting standards, I have a sharp eye for what can be cut and what needs to stay. But this isn’t about making your prose “cleaner” at the expense of your style – it’s about making every sentence do exactly what you need it to do.

This service works best for manuscripts that are structurally sound but need sentence-level refinement before submission or publication.

From £1,200 – contact for a full quote based on manuscript length

Manuscript Assessment: Professional overview and editorial guidance

A comprehensive read-through of your complete manuscript with detailed feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and how to strengthen the work – without the line-by-line edits of a full developmental edit.

You’ll receive:

• A detailed editorial letter (5-10 pages) identifying strengths and weaknesses across structure, character, pacing, voice, and marketability
• Clear, prioritized recommendations for revision
• Honest assessment of where the manuscript stands and what it needs to reach the next level
• Marginal notes highlighting key issues and opportunities

This is ideal if you’re looking for expert direction before diving into revisions, want to understand whether your manuscript is ready for the next step, or need professional feedback to guide your development as a writer. It’s also a good fit if budget is a consideration – you get strategic guidance without the investment of a full developmental edit.

From £400 – contact for a full quote based on manuscript length

Query Package: Professional submission materials

A complete package of pitch materials designed to position your manuscript effectively for agents and publishers.

You’ll receive:

• A compelling one-page query letter that hooks from the opening line and presents your book clearly and professionally
• A one to two-page synopsis that captures your complete narrative arc, character development, and thematic resonance
• A short pitch paragraph (50-100 words) for quick pitches, email signatures, and conversations
• Two rounds of revisions on all materials included

I know how challenging it is to distill months or years of work into a single page – I’ve been through this process myself with my agent Anna Power at Johnson & Alcock. I understand what agents are looking for and how to position literary fiction for a competitive market. I’ll help you create pitch materials that accurately represent your book while highlighting what makes it distinctive and compelling.

This service is ideal for writers who have a polished manuscript and are ready to begin querying, or who have been querying without success and need fresh perspective on their approach.

From £250 – contact for a full quote depending on manuscript complexity

If you’re not sure what you need, I’m happy to talk it through.

Who I work with

I tend to work best with writers who care deeply about language, structure, and emotional truth – whether you’re working on literary fiction, experimental forms, narrative non-fiction, or something in between. I’m especially drawn to writers taking risks.

I work with debut writers who are still finding their voice or confidence, and those who are more experienced but are stuck within a messy draft. You don’t have to be published. You just have to be serious about the work.

What it’s like to work with me

I’ve been on both sides of the editing relationship. I have 20 years of experience of editing news copy to very specific word counts and to very tight deadlines, and so have a good eye for redundant words. But I am also a writer, just like you. I have an MA in Creative Writing (passed with Distinction and winner of the course prize), and am represented by Anna Power at Johnson & Alcock Agency in London. I know how it feels to feel stuck or uncertain about a project you care deeply about. I bring empathy, clarity, and a sharp editorial eye – but no ego. My aim is always to help you write the best version of your book, not turn it into mine.

This is a collaborative, respectful process. I’ll be honest, but never unkind.

Get in touch

If you’d like to discuss your project or ask about rates and availability, feel free to reach out at benreynoldswrites@gmail.com or use the contact form below.