Editing for Writers

Fiction Feedback is a professional manuscript critique and editing services for fiction authors seeking publication.

 

We offer expert developmental editing, copy-editing, line editing and manuscript mentoring from editors with publishing industry experience.

 

Whether you’re pursuing agent representation, a traditional publishing deal, or independent publication, our tailored editorial services get your manuscript ready for success.

Fiction Feedback is proud to sponsor the CWA Emerging Author Dagger competition.

editing for writers

Let our professional editors help you to successful publication.

 

Fiction Feedback is one of the UK’s leading editorial consultancies. Established in 2008, we provide top-quality critique and editing services, with editors drawn from publishers, literary agents and the professional world of writing and editing.

 

Asking for professional help with your writing makes sense if you’re aiming to:
* Get representation from a literary agent
* Secure a traditional publishing deal
* Successfully publish independently
* Increase your chances in writing competitions
* Enhance your reputation as a professional writer

 

Why use Fiction Feedback consultancy rather than a freelance editor?
* Wider choice of editors, no matter what you’re writing.
* Critiques from multiple editors, which writers find extremely valuable.
* Reassurance of a safety net; if an editor can’t continue, another editor will.
* More availability.
* Far more experienced, working to a higher standard than many freelancers.
* Excellent contacts with agents and publishers.

Who we help

* Crime and thriller writers
* Writers of historical fiction
* Writers of romance and SFF
* Writers of literary fiction
* Writers of narrative non-fiction such as memoir

* Fiction authors seeking agent representation
* Authors preparing for traditional publishing
* Independent/self-publishing authors
* Writers entering competitions

 

Properly edited writing engages readers and leads to good reviews, recommendations and higher sales. It also tells prospective publishers – and independent publishing is an important route to traditional publishers, for writers eager for a contract – that you take your writing seriously.

 

“Fiction Feedback’s manuscript notes are among the best I have ever received. In depth, perceptive and full of actionable, valuable suggestions. The reviewer highlighted weak spots and recommended solutions without ever being proscriptive. Exactly the kinds of insights that hugely improve a story.”

Ray Celestin – multiple Dagger-winning crime writer 

who we help at Fiction Feedback
About Fictiopn Feedback

Who are Fiction Feedback?

 

Founded by Dea Parkin in 2008, the Fiction Feedback editorial consultancy is one of the UK’s foremost provider of professional editing services to writers. We pride ourselves on our integrity and on the professionalism and value of our service.

 

Our founder and editor-in-chief Dea Parkin was Secretary and then General Coordinator of the Crime Writers’ Association 2016-2023 with all the professional contacts and standing that confers. She remains Competitions Coordinator within the organisation, and Fiction Feedback is proud to sponsor the CWA Emerging Author Dagger competition.

 

We employ the services of experienced editors who work in the worlds of publishing and professional writing. Several of our editors freelance for publishers in the UK and the US. A number are themselves literary agents or publishers and others are published authors.

From 2026, Dea is a judge on the CWA Historical Dagger.

Find out more about Fiction Feedback

Critiques

 

Critiques are like a structural editing report in summary: they highlight the main strengths and weaknesses and suggest ways to make improvements.

 

If you’ve never had professional input on your writing before, we recommend you start with a critique.

 

For more experienced writers, they’re also useful for getting an overview of a novel’s strengths before committing to spending more time on it.

 

We also offer a Critique Plus. This offers the benefit of saving on the cost of a full developmental edit while providing more than a simple critique. With two options: focus on the report or on the margin comments, as you prefer or an extra, in-depth focus on the report on areas you identify or questions you pose.

 

Learn more about our Critiques

Critiques for writers
example book covers of edited manuscripts

Editing

Editing is essential for professionally produced novels and narrative non-fiction, such as memoirs. From ensuring the story is engaging through strong narrative arc, characterisation, writing style, plotting and pace, to perfecting word choice, spelling, punctuation and grammar; these are the processes a novel or memoir must go through if it’s to make that vital first impression

 

We offer two different types of editing services: line and copy-editing. This is where facts are checked and where the prose undergoes forensic examination. We look at the nuts and bolts of the prose, such as grammar, word choice and punctuation, and much more.

 

Or, developmental/structural editing, this is the first step for a manuscript. A very detailed assessment of the novel, usually consisting of both a long report and comments on the manuscript itself.

 

Find out more about our Editing services

Police advice service

Police Advice

Our police advice service calls on the multiple skills of Simon Dinsdale, a published crime writer as well as a very senior, retired police officer.

Find out more >

cumulative editing service

Mentoring

What we like to call cumulative editing takes the form of developmental editing (editing report and comments on the manuscript) to the novel section by section.

Find out more >

Synopsis Writing service

Synopsis Writing

If your synopsis isn’t up to scratch, and doesn’t do your book justice, you’re unlikely to be asked for your full manuscript.

Find out more >

Crafting Crime course

Crafting Crime

We have partnered with award-winning author and editor Martin Edwards to create an online, home study crime writing course called Crafting Crime.

Find out more >

Frequently Asked Questions

What is editing?

Structural or developmental editing looks at how your novel hangs together. Narrative arc, characterisation, pace, plot and writing style are the editing focus at Fiction Feedback. More

What are line and copy-editing?

Checking your word choice and the nitty-gritty of spelling, grammar and punctuation is a Fiction Feedback speciality. More

When should I get a critique?

Fiction Feedback critiques are summaries of major strengths and weaknesses with suggestions for improvements. Try them if you’re new to writing, or if your work-in-progress represents a departure for you.

I’d like two or three critiques of my novel by independent editors.

A service we offer at Fiction Feedback. Every opinion is subjective, but where comments are duplicated, you know they’re onto something.

I’ve worked on my first chapters, synopsis and cover letter. How do I know they’re ready to submit?

Try a Fiction Feedback Submission Package Special. We help you grab attention and impress!

My crime novel contains a fair bit of police procedure. I worry it might not be accurate. What can I do?

Send it to the Fiction Feedback police expert. It’s an extra editing stage we recommend so you get crucial information right.

I’d like to take a course on crime-writing written by someone I can really respect.

Martin Edwards, one of the most respected crime writers alive today – a Diamond Dagger winner and consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics series – offers a 12-module course called Crafting Crime, mentored by Fiction Feedback.

I’m really struggling to write my synopsis. What do I do?

Let an expert at Fiction Feedback write it for you! Or perhaps, help you hone your own draft to perfection. More

My novel is quite literary. How can I be sure I’ll get it critiqued or edited by someone sensitive to my aims?

Fiction Feedback editorial consultancy has a stable of editors with different areas of expertise and interest. Every piece of work submitted is assessed and allocated to an editor with the right experience and focus.

I’ve written a Middle Grade novel. How can I be sure my editor will have the right experience?

An editorial consultancy such as Fiction Feedback has editors with different areas of expertise who we will match with your work.

I want more than a critique but my budget won’t stretch to full edit. What do I do?

Fiction Feedback’s critique plus is exactly what you need. Our critique plus goes into the same depth as an editorial report, but there are fewer comments on the manuscript. Or if you prefer, the other way round…

  • After advice from Fiction Feedback and the change of emphasis on how the story was told, I self-published. I was soon picked up by my first publisher – success. It didn’t stop there. I was fortunate that my editor, Dea Parkin, became attached to my characterisations and we became a regular partnership in what evolved into joint ventures: 11 books so far and counting. I can’t promise anyone that such a deep editorial involvement awaits everyone, but if you can capture your editor’s imagination, you are on the way to capturing a wider readership. Dea and I are celebrating a 15-year relationship, and I recommend Fiction Feedback and the cooperative partnerships Dea provides.

    Author of several series of historical adventure novels

    Austin Hernon - https://saperebooks.com/authors/austin-hernon/

  • Without Fiction Feedback's meticulous assistance, I'd still be on the slush pile. Realistic, reliable advice and expertise.

    Author of the DS Christian Dane crime novels including Rough Justice

    Simon Dinsdale - https://simondinsdaleauthor.co.uk/

  • I first approached Fiction Feedback for their overview, and received two genuinely helpful and different critiques. As a crime writer, I’d come across the company via the CWA website, and assumed we’d be a good match, which proved correct. Once my MS was finished, I approached Fiction Feedback for copy-editing support. Again, I was very happy with the results, which included helpful thoughts and criticisms as well as a thorough refinement of grammar/punctuation/word choice, etc. I’ve been fortunate to secure a renowned agent with an interest in my style of crime fiction. Without Fiction Feedback, I would not have had an MS ready to submit. I would ardently recommend Dea’s service for all areas of writing, be it critiques or in-depth edits.

    Author of crime novels The Next to Die and A Killing in Paradise

    Elliot Sweeney

  • Fiction Feedback's manuscript notes are among the best I have ever received. In-depth, perceptive and full of actionable, valuable suggestions. The reviewer highlighted weak spots and recommended solutions without ever being proscriptive. Exactly the kinds of insights that hugely improve a story.

    Multiple Dagger-winning crime writer

    Ray Celestin - https://raycelestin.com/

  • Fiction Feedback's critique service gave me confidence that my work was publishable, whilst also guiding me to issues that needed to be addressed. The follow up copy-editing service was invaluable. It highlighted minor issues that I hadn't spotted myself, but which would have greatly detracted from the novel if they hadn't been corrected. The whole process was easy and friendly, and well worth the money.

    Author of the Ransomed Hearts series of werewolf novels

    Jeanette Greaves - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B08W5CL7RY

  • Through their critique and editing services, Fiction Feedback provided me with practical and actionable insights which helped to really elevate my work. I felt like I was getting more than just an editor, but also a valuable education in improving my craft. Highly recommended.

    Author of Born to Lose: Tales of Gigi

    Marek Z Turner - https://www.poliziotturner.com/

  • I'm so pleased with the editing report! It's the kind of thing where you look at it and think – why didn't I see that? Lots of work to do but I really appreciate all the suggestions and ideas (several of which I will definitely be using). It makes such a difference to have a crime fiction specialist. Those who don't read crime (but might still be good editors) tend to miss a lot of areas re plot and giving good crime plotting suggestions.

    Author of Woman Missing and the Judi Westerholme crime series

    Sherryl Clark - https://sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com/

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