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I particularly enjoy working with first-time writers, and enabling them to join the growing self-publishing market with a polished manuscript.

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My experience in editing fiction will enable you to showcase your writing at its best while keeping to your voice and your story. I see our working relationship very much as a partnership, with good communication at all stages being the key.

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As a writer myself, I understand the challenges of producing a finished piece and putting your work out there for people to see. Go to https://sheenabillettauthor.com to find out about my writing.

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I am a professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (formerly known as SfEP - the Society for Editing and Proofreading), and am also a partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.

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When I'm not editing you can find me playing the piano, singing in my local choir, or - yes it's true - reading! I have always been an avid reader of many genres, and this life-long passion enables me to see your book with a reader's eye as well as that of a professional editor.

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I have done extensive training over a number of years and continue this on a regular basis.

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Previously completed courses:

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• SfEP - Practical mark-up of PDFs

• SfEP - Editing and Proofreading Music

• SfEP - Introduction to Fiction Editing

• SfEP - Copy-Editing Headway

• SfEP - Copy-Editing Progress

• SfEP - References

• EFL -  Intermediate Developmental Editing

• PTC - Basic Proofreading Course (Widely recognised as the benchmark for good practice within the industry)

• CIEP - Word for Practical Editing (2021)

• CIEP - Efficient Editing (2021)

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I am very flexible in the way I approach each project, and everything I do is tailored to the way in which you, the client, wishes to approach the task in hand. If you are unsure about any issues with regard to your project, we will work together to solve them. It is very much a bespoke service.

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I'll ask you about your writing and what your ultimate goal is: whether it is to submit to a publisher, or to publish independently. Although I specialise in working with self-publishing authors, I can also offer help and advice to those wanting to submit their work to agents or publishing houses.

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Then I'll take a look at the whole manuscript and advise which editorial service would best suit you, moving forwards. I'll also give you a quote and some idea of a time frame for the proposed work.

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If this is a proofread or a copy edit I will work on a short sample of a few thousand words so that you can see what my work looks like. We can then have a discussion about whether this works for you or whether you would like some changes. If you are having a developmental edit, we will discuss  general pointers and any issues that may need attention. It is always important to sort these things out before I start the full project.

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Each project I work on is individually priced according to the number of words and the amount of time I need to spend on it, but here are some ball-park figures and timescales for books of an average length i.e. 80-90,000 words:

Developmental edit from £400  - 4 weeks

Copy edit from £600 - 4 weeks

Proofread from £300 - 2 weeks

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• Do I have to pay a deposit? Yes. If the project is over £300 I will require a deposit of at least £100 to confirm the booking.

• Can I pay in instalments? Yes. If the project is over £300 I can invoice at intervals as we go along; often this is at the beginning, middle and end of the work, but I will discuss these terms with you before I book the work in.

• How can I pay?  You can pay using a BACS transfer or via Paypal. All the details you need to make the payment will be on the invoice.

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