Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Alice Spaulding McVeigh
Alice McVeigh
I’m a traditionally published (“top five” publisher) and very well-reviewed author, copy-editor and ghost writer, American-born though based in London, UK. I’m an elected member of the UK’s prestigious Society of Authors and the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) as well as the EFA and NAIWE. My latest book, speculative fiction under her pen name Spaulding Taylor, will be published by UK publishers Unbound, in Spring , 2020 – but I’m also proud of having edited over 85 full-length books to publication.
I specialise in developmental fiction editing, in improving dialogue and characterisation, and in copy-editing. My preferred genres are contemporary fiction (such as my first two published novels), literary fiction, sci-fi/speculative fiction, memoir and biography. I am hugely empathetic – well, as a fellow writer, I understand what it feels like, to be edited! – and very supportive. For a separate fee, I’m willing to assist with targeting likely agents with killer query letters.
Originally I worked for over 15 years as a cellist, touring on four continents with orchestras including the BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic. While playing cello full-time I was lucky enough to have my first two contemporary novels bought by Orion/Hachette.
Since my daughter arrived, in 1997, I’ve worked from home, substantively copy-editing over 70 novels, non-fiction books and academic projects for clients from countries as far afield as China, Australia and Iran, though primarily the US and UK. (I’ve also had one humorous, non-fiction book published, with cartoons by Noel Ford, and one play mounted in London, though not in the West End!)
There are roughly four strands to my editing work: nailing extraneous verbiage for university presses, sharpening up plot and dialog for newer novelists, ghosting books in genealogy, memoir, or biography, and – when lucky! – celebrity ghosting. Another strand of work involves translating from American to British English (and the reverse.) Many of my non-UK clients credit me with supplying a “touch of British class.”
In common with most people here, I’m a huge believer in getting the right “fit” between writer and editor – few things are more personal than working on someone else’s book manuscript. I’m always willing to sign an NDA and also offer a free sample edit, so that both parties can feel entirely secure before committing themselves to a working contract. I work fast, and so – although rarely the cheapest in terms of hourly rates – I can generally save clients both time and money.
This is what I do – not a sideline. I now boast over 20 years of full-time book-editing experience, so you’re taking no risks with your project here. I’m empathetic, experienced, and expert – and I love words, whether creating my own characters or facilitating full-length books for other writers. If interested, I have a substantial web presence, including Facebook, and I’ve also written some articles for The Guardian, The Strad and other international publications.
If you have a query, don’t hesitate to get in touch, whether by e-mail, phone, Facebook, or Skype. I work part of the year from our second home on the Mediterranean – but I’m still accessible. (If I don’t get back to you within an hour or two, I’m probably on the tennis court!) Please access www.alicemcveigh.com for full biography, sample edits, costings, reviews of my own published works, and client testimonials.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Alice
13 Oakwood Road
BR6 8JH
Orpington, Orpington, Kent, UK BR6 9JH
UK
Home phone: 00441689861594
Business phone: 00441689861594
Cell phone: 00 7847 529223
Email: astmcveigh@gmail.com
Email: a.mcveigh@giardini.co.uk
More information: View PDF file
Years in the field: 22
Years freelancing: 22
Alice McVeigh
I’m a traditionally published (“top five” publisher) and very well-reviewed author, copy-editor and ghost writer, American-born though based in London, UK. I’m an elected member of the UK’s prestigious Society of Authors and the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) as well as the EFA and NAIWE. My latest book, speculative fiction under her pen name Spaulding Taylor, will be published by UK publishers Unbound, in Spring , 2020 – but I’m also proud of having edited over 85 full-length books to publication.
I specialise in developmental fiction editing, in improving dialogue and characterisation, and in copy-editing. My preferred genres are contemporary fiction (such as my first two published novels), literary fiction, sci-fi/speculative fiction, memoir and biography. I am hugely empathetic – well, as a fellow writer, I understand what it feels like, to be edited! – and very supportive. For a separate fee, I’m willing to assist with targeting likely agents with killer query letters.
Originally I worked for over 15 years as a cellist, touring on four continents with orchestras including the BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic. While playing cello full-time I was lucky enough to have my first two contemporary novels bought by Orion/Hachette.
Since my daughter arrived, in 1997, I’ve worked from home, substantively copy-editing over 70 novels, non-fiction books and academic projects for clients from countries as far afield as China, Australia and Iran, though primarily the US and UK. (I’ve also had one humorous, non-fiction book published, with cartoons by Noel Ford, and one play mounted in London, though not in the West End!)
There are roughly four strands to my editing work: nailing extraneous verbiage for university presses, sharpening up plot and dialog for newer novelists, ghosting books in genealogy, memoir, or biography, and – when lucky! – celebrity ghosting. Another strand of work involves translating from American to British English (and the reverse.) Many of my non-UK clients credit me with supplying a “touch of British class.”
In common with most people here, I’m a huge believer in getting the right “fit” between writer and editor – few things are more personal than working on someone else’s book manuscript. I’m always willing to sign an NDA and also offer a free sample edit, so that both parties can feel entirely secure before committing themselves to a working contract. I work fast, and so – although rarely the cheapest in terms of hourly rates – I can generally save clients both time and money.
This is what I do – not a sideline. I now boast over 20 years of full-time book-editing experience, so you’re taking no risks with your project here. I’m empathetic, experienced, and expert – and I love words, whether creating my own characters or facilitating full-length books for other writers. If interested, I have a substantial web presence, including Facebook, and I’ve also written some articles for The Guardian, The Strad and other international publications.
If you have a query, don’t hesitate to get in touch, whether by e-mail, phone, Facebook, or Skype. I work part of the year from our second home on the Mediterranean – but I’m still accessible. (If I don’t get back to you within an hour or two, I’m probably on the tennis court!) Please access www.alicemcveigh.com for full biography, sample edits, costings, reviews of my own published works, and client testimonials.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Alice
