Dr Rachel Knightley

Author, Writing and Confidence Coach

"Rachel helped me to find and the story. She has the knack of suggesting improvements without offending and imply making the writing better.”

- Gerry, first-time author

Whether you're working on a novel, memoir, short story, or developing your brand voice, app, product, web or social media presence, I'm here to help bring your voice and message across to your audience. 

"Rachel has the ability to truly listen, and to hear. She has a remarkable ability to find the balance between understanding when she needs to challenge you and where she needs to carry you. She showed me how to trust myself and to find my own voice."

- Julie, business owner

In addition to my own fiction and non-fiction (see home page and author page), my previous clients as an editor and copywriter include Transworld (now Penguin Random House), Telegraph Media Group and HarveyNichols.com. Individuals I've supported include award-winning and nominated authors, branding experts, lecturers, medical professionals and coaches. Recent commissions include apps, film releases and luxury fashion brands as well as novels, TV and film scripts, memoirs and short stories.

"I want to thank you so much for your prompts during this difficult period. They've been inspired, productive and calming. You've enabled me to build up a substantial section of my project, almost without realising it."

- Angela, biographer

Editorial Packages

Initial Editorial Packages

An initial editorial package will produce a 1-page report on the work as it stands: a summary of its overall theme, genre and goals, then sections on characterisation, plot and structure, place and momentum, and moving forward.

  • Short Stories of up to 2,000 words: £200
    Each additional 1,000 words: £20
    Collection of up to 60,000 words: £650
    1:1 Zoom or telephone hour consultation after the report: £70
    Bundle discount: 10% off when booking report and consultation

  • Up to 10,000 words: £400
    Up to 30,000 words: £500
    Up to 60,000 words: £550
    Up to100,000 words:£650
    1:1 Zoom or telephone hour consultation after the report: £70
    Bundle discount: 10% off when booking report and consultation

Extended Editorial Packages

An extended editorial package will include line-edits, comments in track changes and a short summary of the main issues and advice at the end of the work.

  • Up to 15,000 words: £550
    15,001-30,000 words: £750
    30,001-60,000 words: £950
    60,001-80,000 words: £1,150
    Each additional 1,000 words (over 60,000): £20
    1:1 Zoom or telephone hour consultation after the report: £70
    Bundle discount: 10% off when booking report and consultation

  • (first 8,000 words, agent letter and one-page synopsis): £320
    1:1 Zoom or telephone hour consultation after the report: £70
    Bundle discount: 10% off when booking report and consultation

Work with me

  • Please refer to the Terms and Conditions (which you will be sent a copy of to sign before any editorial assignment begins):

    1. Editorial work is provided as a one-off, detailed personal response to the writing provided. Comments address topics such as point of view, voice, character, dialogue, description, plot, pacing, structure, tone, pace, place and setting. The length and intricacy of the report will vary with the work submitted, both for fiction and non-fiction.

    2. The editorial report will be normally be emailed within one month of receiving the text and the agreed payment for the text (unless an alternative completion date is agreed). If I need to extend this time, I will contact the client via email.

    3. Editorial reports on full texts should not be used as an alternative to the writer’s own proofreading. Unless the writer has told me they are writing in a second language or has identified a similarly specific need, editorial reports will not include the correcting of grammar, spelling or punctuation. For shorter assignments, line edits can be included if requested in advance.

    4. Formatting should be double-spaced, in a 12-point or 14-point font. Doc, or DocX, not PDF.

    5. The length of the work submitted should not exceed the word count that has been paid for. For example, if your work is 3500 words you would need to have paid for 4000 words, not 3000 words.

    6. All work submitted to me will be held in strictest confidence.

    7. The copyright of the work submitted remains with the author of the work.

    8. The copyright of the report remains with me (Rachel Knightley). Assessment copyright remains with me (Rachel Knightley). The copyright of the book remains with you (the writer).

    9. Permission must be sought by either party to quote from the assessment, whether to agents, on personal websites or on social media.

    10. While receiving feedback is a sensitive process, clients are expected to remain professional and courteous at all times.

    11. Should a client’s manner become offensive or abusive, I reserve the right to cease work with that client at my discretion.

    12. I am unable to enter into follow-up correspondence with a client once I have provided them with my assessment of their work.

    13. I cannot be held liable for any losses, claims or demands by the client or any third party arising out of my tuition or editorial services.

    14. It is the client's responsibility to ensure that no work is a) in breach of copyright b) libellous or c) illegal in any other way.