Katie Seaman

Katie Seaman – Editor

Experienced development editor and coach, helping writers find their voice. Genres include contemporary, historical, bookclub, romance.

Overview

I love a good story and I can’t wait to read yours, whether you're looking to turn that idea into a completed manuscript, or have a comprehensive edit ready to publish or query agents to ensure your manuscript is in the best shape possible.


I’m keen to help support you on your writing journey whatever stage you’re at and, after a decade working at major publishers including Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, I have a strong track record – in the last month alone, one writer I worked with on a development edit has now been signed by their dream literary agent.


I’ve got a wealth of experience editing bestsellers and insider industry knowledge to help your project stand out from the crowd. Whether that’s through an editorial assessment or development edit to make your manuscript the best it can be; helping with a query package review to polish your pitch and build confidence before approaching literary agents; or as a book coach helping to turn that idea you’ve been mulling over onto words on the page, honing your writing techniques, creating writing routines or just being that accountability partner to help you achieve your writing goals.


I believe that the relationship between a writer and editor should be a collaborative partnership. I'm hard-working and committed to achieving the best possible result for your work. I'm here to give encouragement, advice and support, delivering editorial feedback sensitively. I'm friendly and flexible in my approach so always happy to discuss your project and agree on a clear brief before we decide to move forward.


I'm a collaborative and insightful editor specialising in commercial genres including romance, historical, cosy crime, and reading group. I always enjoy a book that's a little bit quirky, that has a magical element or a strong emotional hook, so if that sounds like your book then I'd love to hear from you.



Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romantic Comedy Romantic Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Trailblazer Award 2018

Work experience

Freelance

Sep, 2023 — Present
After ten years working at major publishing houses including Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, I’m now a freelance editor and book coach available for editorial support from editorial assessment to development edits, query package reviews and book coaching to help you turn your idea into words on the page.

HarperCollins

Sep, 2019 — Aug, 2023 (almost 4 years)
- Acquired and edited a range of award-winning and bestselling commercial fiction including from magical realist romantasy MIDNIGHT IN EVERWOOD by M. A. Kuzniar, literary historical fiction THE REVELS by Stacey Thomas to romantic comedy DIAL A FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Sutanto. - Mentored first-time writers and coached them through the publication process from completing a first draft to landing an agent and publishing deal.

Penguin Random House

Sep, 2017 — Sep, 2019 (about 2 years)
- Acquired and edited bestselling commercial fiction as well as being part of the publishing teams behind Sunday Times Number One bestseller HOW TO BE FAMOUS by Caitlin Moran, Kindle bestseller THE PASSENGERS by John Marrs and the popular WINTERNIGHT TRILOGY by Katherine Arden. - Mentored on the WriteNow programme, coaching my mentee through all aspects of publishing from working closely together editorially on her manuscript to helping her approach agents which led to securing a publishing deal.

Orion Publishing Group

Oct, 2015 — Aug, 2017 (almost 2 years)
- Acquired romantic comedy HOT MESS by Lucy Vine which was a bestseller and the company's bestselling debut of 2017. I was awarded a Trailblazer Award, a top industry award in recognition for my innovative publishing. - Part of the publishing team behind Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling authors including Michael Connelly, Linwood Barclay, Erica James and Veronica Henry.

Portfolio

Couple Goals: Good Game 1

Kit Williams

HarperCollins Publishers

Love is a game and it's kicking off... When a harsh new manager takes over the Tigresses football team, bringing a new star striker Kira with her, morale is rocked. The team’s current MVP Maev... read more
Developmental Editing
Seven Rules for a Perfect Marriage

Rebecca Reid

Bloomsbury Publishing

'A dream of a book: humour, warm, fun characters and a story I stayed up all night for. I loved it!' Lucy Vine, author of Seven Exes'Refreshing and original... a real life love story about wha... read more
Developmental Editing
Pastures New

Clare Balding

HarperCollins Publishers

This year’s most heartwarming debut Sometimes home is where you least expect it... Alex has perfected the art of dodging responsibility during her almost 40 years — until an unexpected letter ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Revels

Stacey Thomas

The stage is set and the witch-hunt is about to begin... ‘I am no witch. I have not sold my soul to the devil for powers. What I am has never openly been whispered of, yet it is enough that pe... read more
Developmental Editing
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Jesse Sutanto

The new must-read cozy crime mystery from the bestselling author of Dial A For Aunties Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing... Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective? Sixty-year-old sel... read more
Developmental Editing
Dial A For Aunties: The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy debut novel of 2021 and winner of the Comedy Women In Print Prize: Book 1

Sutanto, Jesse

Developmental Editing
Midnight in Everwood

M.A. Kuzniar

In the darkness of night, magic awaits... Nottingham, 1906 Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but, as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered – she must marry and take up he... read more
Developmental Editing
Open Minded

Chloe Seager

‘Funny, smart and fresh’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A unique and very different take on the traditional RomCom . . . I adored Fliss and her relationship with Ash’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ * * * What if T... read more
Developmental Editing
Hot Mess

Lucy Vine

The eBook Number One bestseller The hottest book of the summer. A sassy, laugh out loud beach read everyone is talking about *****Hot Mess [n.] - someone attractive, who is often in disarray.H... read more
Developmental Editing
The Quiet Wife: A Speke Hall Scandal (Stately Scandals, Book 2)

Felicity York

HarperCollins UK

All he wants is a quiet wife. But she wants something more . . . 1867, Liverpool. Wife to an errant husband, the art patron Frederick Leyland, Frances is losing her sense of self. So when Fred... read more
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Bond of Fate

Duley, Stephanie

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Finding A Miracle

Flitcroft, Deborah

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Take My Sunshine

Glinz, M.E.

Moongate Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Midwife

Anna Schofield

She'd kill to be a mother.Darkford General Hospital is deeply shaken when its star midwife, Sarah, is arrested for trying to steal a baby.In the ensuing shock, midwives Erica and Sue rally to ... read more
Developmental Editing
Escape for Christmas

Phillipa Ashley

Cornerstone

Sophie used to adore everything about Christmas. Hot chocolate and velvet bows, fairy lights and mince pies.Until the December her fiancé jilted her.Since then, Sophie opened Sunnyside Hotel, ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Secret Santa Project

Tracy Bloom

HarperCollins Publishers

Love Actually meets Groundhog Day in this Christmas affirming, laugh-out-loud comedy from the bestselling author of The Wife Who Got a Life and No One Has Sex on a Tuesday'I love Tracy Bloom!'... read more
Developmental Editing
Dr. Spilsbury and the Cursed Bride

D.L. Douglas

Orion

She kept her gaze fixed out of the window, towards the village and Withington Hall beyond. 'It's perfect,' she said...September 1920. A young bride is discovered dead at a country house on her... read more
Developmental Editing
The Bump

Karger, Sidney

Berkley

Developmental Editing
Upon a Frosted Star

M.A. Kuzniar

‘An enchanting new twist on a classic tale’ Elodie Harper When the snow falls, she will be free... The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on th... read more
Developmental Editing
Everyone I Know is Dying

Emily Slapper

A razor-sharp, bleakly funny exploration of mental health crises, the societal pressures on young women, and toxic sexual and romantic relationships from one of the most exciting new literary ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Pick Up

Hannah Doyle

A laugh-out-loud romcom in 2024 perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Elena Armas Committing to a fake romance is easy. It’s keeping it fake that’s the problem ... 'A truly original and memo... read more
Developmental Editing
How to be Famous

Caitlin Moran

The Sunday Times bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club favourite'Being Moran, the jokes and one-liners fizz and crackle off the page' Richard's Review'As usual, Moran writes fearlessly, openly,... read more
Developmental Editing
Nineteen Steps

Millie Bobby Brown

The debut novel from global star Millie Bobby Brown Love blooms in the darkest days... London, 1942. Despite the raging war, spirited 18-year-old Nellie Morris lives a quiet life in the tight-... read more
Developmental Editing
Ginger and Me

Elissa Soave

‘Funny, touching and wise, I loved it’ Kit de Waal, bestselling author of My Name Is Leon Wendy is lonely but coping.All nineteen-year-old Wendy wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston... read more
Developmental Editing

Katie has 53 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Stephanie S.

Stephanie S.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Working with Katie was an absolute game-changer! I was completely stuck, unsure of how to end my book, but Katie gave me the tools and guidance to discover the perfect ending on my own. It was exactly what I needed. Katie has amazing energy, is a fantastic listener, and is incredibly supportive....
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Katie S.
Thank you so much for your incredible feedback. It's been an absolute pleasure to be your book coach and I'm so glad to hear you got so much out of our sessions together!
Stephanie D.

Stephanie D.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
Working with Katie was a DREAM! She was so kind and so gentle with my manuscript and collaborating with her live over a call was amazing. She had fantastic insights into things and really helped my flesh out some issues that I was having some trouble with. Katie really knows her stuff and she is ...
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Katie S.
Thank you for your amazing feedback. I’ve really enjoyed working with you, being so impressed by your imagination and desire to develop your storytelling. Best of luck and excited to see how the se...
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Emma C.

Emma C.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
I loved working with Katie! From the first sample edits she gave me, I was impressed with Katie's thoughtfulness and attention to detail. She was very responsive and communicative and delivered the work on time. Most importantly, she truly understood my manuscript. She saw everything that I was t...
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Katie S.
Emma, thanks so much for your very kind review. I'm thrilled to get such brilliant feedback and it's been a joy to work with you. I've been very impressed by your willingness to take suggestions on...
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Lauren R.

Lauren R.

Apr, 2025

I can’t say enough good things about Katie. She has an amazing eye for editing and story structure. She truly understands the vision for my story while also providing the professional objectivity to help me improve it. Katie has a very engaging and kind way about her, so for anyone who may be int...
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Katie S.
Lauren, thank you so much for your kind feedback which mean a lot from a fellow editor. I'm particularly delighted that you found I took the fear out of receiving feedback as I really want to help ...
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kirsten C.

kirsten C.

Apr, 2025

I am looking forward to working with Katie again! Her insight, detail to story structure and all around deep dive with her ability to really understand what I was trying to accomplish in this story was invaluable. She really got the story right away. She pinpointed my hook, helped me see whic...
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Katie S.
Kirsten, thank you so much for your lovely words. It's been such a joy working with you and I'm so glad to hear that you not only felt the suggestions made your book better but were true to your or...
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