Manuscript Editing & Book Editing Services
Write. Read. Edit.
I'm Clare Donoghue, a published novelist, book editor and creative writing tutor. I work with writers across the UK and beyond, from first-time novelists to published authors, helping them take a manuscript from rough draft to something an agent will want to read.
I have published four novels with Pan Macmillan in the UK, with international editions in the US, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. I hold an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University, where the first chapters of my debut novel were longlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger. I've spent more than a decade teaching writing. I know what it feels like to be on your side of the manuscript, and I know what publishers are looking for on the other.
In a world filling up with AI, you'll be working with a person. Every edit is done by me, personally.
Your book, your characters, your story.
How I can help
Developmental editing. The big-picture edit. Structure, pacing, character arcs, plot logic. The things that decide whether a reader stays up past midnight or puts the book down at chapter three.
Copy editing. A line-by-line edit for clarity, rhythm and consistency. Where your prose gets sharpened without losing your voice.
Proofreading. The final read before submission or publication. Catching the typos, inconsistencies and slips that undermine an otherwise strong manuscript.
Manuscript assessment. An honest editorial report on where your novel stands, what's working, and exactly what to fix next.
Not sure which one you need? Start with a manuscript assessment, or simply get in touch and tell me where you've got to.
Tailored Writing & Editing Services
A six session course taking you through the fundamentals of writing a novel, from first idea to a working structure you can actually build on. Each session is around three hours of work, done at your own pace rather than to a fixed weekly schedule. Send me your worksheet at the end of each one and I'll review it and come back with comments before you move on.
One-to-one sessions, worked around wherever you are with the book. We can talk through structure, work out why a chapter isn't landing, plan where to go next, or simply get you writing again after a stall.
Some writers book a single session to get unstuck. Others work with me regularly across a whole draft.
You’ve written an entire novel - the synopsis should be the easy bit! And yet, they are notoriously difficult to get right. So, let me help.
All you need to do it send me a summary of your novel and I will review and refine to help you create a compelling, submission-ready synopsis, using a commercially approved format.
Writing a synopsis is a skill in itself, and it’s not for everyone. So, if you’re pressed for time, don’t know where to start or just want it done for you, then I’m here to help.
I offer a full-service solution - simply send me your novel and I will read it, and then create a commercial synopsis for you.
Why work with me
I am lucky enough to have experience and expertise on all sides of the writing fence, as a published author of four novels with Pan Macmillan, an experienced editor, and a creative writing tutor of over ten years. I use a combination of experience, expertise and a critical eye to help my clients make the most of their writing and achieve their goals.
I've written the books, agonised over the synopses and the cover letters, sat with the rejections, worked with an agent and commissioning editor, and hit the deadlines, so I know how it feels.
My job as your editor? I want you to succeed, plain and simple. That's my goal.
Who I work with
I work across all genres, from historical and fantasy to crime, literary, biographical and comedy.
First-time novelists preparing to approach agents
Self-publishing authors who need a professional edit before release
Published writers wanting a fresh, honest read before it goes to their editor
Writers who are stuck, halfway through, out of momentum, unsure what's wrong
What writers say
Clare is a brilliant editor. She instinctively 'gets' the essence of a piece of writing. Her observations and suggestions are astute and clever. She is really skilful at helping writers to hone their prose, tighten their storylines, develop their characters. When I began writing my novel, Clare's intuitive understanding of my protagonist, and the advice she gave me, were key in its development and eventual publication. I will be forever grateful for her wise words and encouragement. Any writer who works with Clare has lucked out! She is hugely talented (and also lovely), and I wholeheartedly recommend her editorial services.
— Elizabeth Delo
Clare has an incredible ability to 'see' a story from the first moment. But she also has extraordinary skill in drilling down to those minute details that make or break the storyline. That clarity of vision, along with such eye for detail made her an essential part of my writing process and I am very grateful to have had her help and advice.
— Luana Codo
Clare was new to me so always a bit of a gamble with a new proofreader. Luckily she did a lovely job, asked for as much information on background, vocab etc., (I write hist fic so v important) which was refreshing. It was a learning process as ever, but she listened to me, fitted in with my style and we got on famously. No hesitation in recommending her.
— Simon Fairfax
Let's talk about your manuscript
Tell me about your book, what you're happy with and what, you feel, might need work. I'll come back to you with an honest view of what it needs and what that would cost. No obligation, and no hard sell.