Rebecca Sutherland

Rebecca Sutherland – Editor

With structural expertise and market insight, I work with Big 5, smaller publishers and indies to help make writing shine.

Overview

I've been working with books for eight years, and I've loved them my whole life. My experience within the book industry includes working with the book buyer for a major international retailer, as an in-house editor at an independent publishing company and as a bookseller at my local indie bookshop. I have worked with major publishing houses on everything from sports autobiographies to historical fiction; from cookbooks to tarot card reading guides - I just love the satisfaction of taking any project and making it the best it can be.


Between attaining my master's degree in publishing and my experience across the market, I have gained insight not only into genre and reader expectations, but into all aspects of communicating using this delightfully flawed medium we call the English language. My bachelor's degree in drama developed my structural expertise.


As a freelancer, I offer proofreading, editing and manuscript appraisal. I can proofread your finished work ready for publication, write a structural report to help you with that final draft, or everything in between! As an experienced project editor, I can take any project at any stage and get it to where it needs to go next.


My style is very much client-led. I will always provide information up front and am happy to make myself available to answer any questions and provide explanations. I can be flexible with your needs and view my role as providing guidance and advice - your work is your work, and I'm here to contribute my expertise to assist you. You can expect an avalanche of advice of course, and my proofreading will always be exact and comprehensive.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MA Publishing

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2020 — Present
In the past few years I have worked with publishers as well as independent authors and authors intending to seek traditional publication. My clients include Harper Collins, Rockpool Publishing, Pantera Press and ABC Books.

WHSmith

Nov, 2018 — Apr, 2020 (over 1 year)
Working for an international company gave me access to the bookselling industry, where I gained valuable insight into the book market that can use to advise on genre, marketability and markers of success. I also got a lot of free books to expand my literary knowledge!

New Holland

Feb, 2018 — Nov, 2018 (9 months)
At New Holland I was solely responsible for taking each project from raw manuscript to finished book, liaising with authors through large structural changes, nitty gritty copy/line edits and a final proofread polish to ensure a perfect text. I worked closely with designers and publicists and stuck to rapid turnarounds to keep production on schedule. Some of the genres I took on were cookbooks, guidebooks, educational books, memoir/autobiography, self-help and humour.

Hachette and Curtis Brown

Sep, 2017 — Dec, 2017 (3 months)
During my studies I interned as an editorial assistant at big five publisher Hachette, and as general assistant at literary agency Curtis Brown.

Portfolio

Lonely Mouth

Jacqueline Maley

4th Estate

From the bestselling author of The Truth About Her comes Lonely Mouth, a delicious, clever, tender and vivid novel about the conflicted way women think about their bodies, their appetites, and... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Peak

Sam Guthrie

HarperCollins

Sure to be THE debut thriller of 2025, The Peak is a nailbiting and unputdownable read, a powerfully taut, gripping and fast-moving international thriller that weaves a story of friendship, lo... read more
Proofreading
By Her Hand: An engrossing historical fiction debut, a tale of family, battles and female empowerment, for readers who love Geraldine Brooks and Maggie O'Farrell

Taffe, Marion

4th Estate

Copy Editing
The Cold Blade of Fear (The Belladonna Trilogy Book 2)

Johnson, TF

Bookwyrm Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Whale's Last Song: A beautiful, tender new book about love and sacrifice, for readers of Charlie Mackesy and Paulo Coelho

Fedler, Joanne

4th Estate

Copy Editing
The Sharp Edge of Fate (The Belladonna Trilogy Book 1)

Johnson, TF

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree

Alli Parker

A stirring story of love and hope, based on the incredible true story of Australia's first Japanese war bride and a love that changed a nation forever. Gordon Parker is an eager eighteen-year-... read more
Proofreading
One Illumined Thread

Copy Editing
When She Was Gone

Foster, Sara

Blackstone Publishing

Proofreading
Not Like Other Dads

Szeps, Sean

Proofreading
Arrivederci and Hello

Auciello, Rina

Rina Auciello

Proofreading
Annette Kellerman, Australian Mermaid: The inspiring true story of the swimming champion and Hollywood star, from the bestselling author of SISTER VIV and THE REMARKABLE MRS REIBY

Kieza, Grantlee

ABC Books

Proofreading
Over the Hill and Up the Wall

Alexander, Todd

Proofreading
Tested

Pat Cummins

HarperCollins Australia

Australia's Test Cricket Captain in conversation with remarkable leaders and achievers - from Julia Gillard to Dennis Lillee. When Pat Cummins unexpectedly became Australia's 47th Test captain... read more
Proofreading
Woman Uninterrupted

Kane, Brodie

HarperCollins

Copy Editing
Sapling's Rising (The Biokin Chronicles Book 4)

Rose, Spencer

Spencer Rose

Editorial Assessment
Mean Streak: A moral vacuum, a dodgy debt generator and a multi-billion government fraud - the powerful story of robodebt from the award winning author of One Hundred Years of Dirt

Morton, Rick

4th Estate

Copy Editing
Kilkivan Horse Ride (Lauren K Chronicle)

Marchen, Karin

Callistemon Publishing

Proofreading
Adventures of a Country Vet: True stories from the horse's mouth, from England to New Zealand

Dean, Rory

HarperCollins

Copy Editing
The Winning Mindset: Your guide to achieving success from New Zealand's leading mental performance coach

Niethe, David

HarperCollins

Copy Editing
The Life of Dai

Henwood, Dai

Copy Editing
Nothing Significant To Report: A Kiwi soldier's hilarious true stories of mischief and misadventure in the New Zealand Army

Nustrini, Dario

Copy Editing
Hope: The inspiring and deeply moving new book about finding peace from the bestselling author of A MOTHERS STORY, for readers of Leigh Sales, Julia Baird, Turia Pitt and Indira Naidoo

Batty, Rosie

Proofreading
The Lady Vanishes: The next bestselling Australian true crime book based on the popular podcast series, for fans of I CATCH KILLERS, THE WIDOW OF WALCHA and DIRTY JOHN

Sandy, Alison

Proofreading
Good Influence: Motivate yourself to get fit, find purpose & improve your life with the next bestselling fitness, diet & nutrition personal training expert for fans of James Smith & Ant Middleton

Perna, Zac

Copy Editing
Sound Bites

Ed Le Brocq

Ed Le Brocq invites you to come on a journey with him through a living tradition that spans a millennium - the tradition of Western classical music. Have you ever wondered where our music come... read more
Proofreading
The Life-changing Magic of a Little Bit of Mess

Sackville, Kerri

Proofreading
The Parenting Revolution

Justin Coulson

Advice about how to be a great parent from the co-host of Parental Guidance What does it mean to be a good parent? Are you a good parent when your child is compliant, but a bad parent when the... read more
Proofreading
Hollywood Heartbreak: A Heart of the City romance Book 5

Duggan, C.J.

The Paris Seamstress

Lester, Natasha

Proofreading
The Lebs: Miles Franklin Literary Award Finalist

Ahmad, Michael Mohammed

Proofreading
The Brothers

Hinton, S.D.

Proofreading
You Made Me This Way

Shannon Molloy

A harrowing and heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful book about one of our society's deepest shames, from Shannon Molloy, the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Fourteen.
Proofreading
When Life Sucks

Dr Jo Prendergast

A first-aid manual for supporting your teen's mental health, by psychiatrist and comedian Dr Jo Prendergast When Life Sucks is an essential guide to supporting your teen's mental health. As a ... read more
Copy Editing
The Great Race

Aaron Noonan

The cars, the stars, the thrills and the spills from 60 years of the Bathurst classic by Australia's premier motorsports journalist with a foreword by five-time winner Garth Tander The Bathurs... read more
Proofreading
More Great Australian Outback Towns & Pubs Stories

Bill Marsh

Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has been on yet another adventure, this time gathering more stories from outback towns and pubs; from the green fields of Tasmania to the vast red sands of Simpson Desert.T... read more
Proofreading
Australia's Most Infamous Jail

James Phelps

THE NEW BOOK FROM AUSTRALIA'S BESTSELLING TRUE CRIME AUTHOR In a long-awaited return to his best-selling prison series, James Phelps will lift the lid on Australia's most infamous prison - HM ... read more
Copy Editing
Sapling's Depths (The Biokin Chronicles Book 3)

Rose, Spencer

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Sapling's Aurora (The Biokin Chronicles Book 2)

Rose, Spencer

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Openside

Pocock, David

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Before Dementia

Dr Kate Gregorevic

About preventing, preparing, coping How do I know if I have dementia, and how will I live with it if I do? Can people with dementia consent to sex? Can they choose euthanasia for their future ... read more
Proofreading
Great Australian Ambos Stories

Bill Marsh

Yeah, while some of my stories are quite gory, others can be very enlightening. Though, in hindsight, the best outcomes are when the patient pulls through. It's then that you know you've done ... read more
Proofreading
From Earth

Rasmussen, Charlotte

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Al's Australian Fishing Destinations: The Best Fishing Spots Around The Country

Alistair McGlashan

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Monsters and the Supernatural: A Young Person’s Guide

Moore, Jonathan J

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Macabre Tarot: 78 card deck and 128 page book

West, Sam

Proofreading
Rainbow Moon Tarot: 78 card deck and 144 page book

West, Sam

Proofreading
Surfing: Water is Freedom

Ord, Russell

Copy Editing Proofreading
Brave: Courageously Live Your Truth

Vijeyarasa, Sheila

Proofreading
Orien's Animal Tarot: 78 card deck and 144 page book

Sun, Ambi

Proofreading
Teida's Story: Life Through the Eyes of a Dog

Corrie, Danielle

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading

Rebecca has 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Morgan B.

Morgan B.

Nov, 2024

Pinned
Rebecca did an incredible, professional and insightful developmental edit of a memoir for us. Her comments throughout were detailed and her suggestions incredibly helpful at this crucial stage of development. She kept the end in mind, but also provided feedback to enable a more powerful and marke...
Read more
Rebecca S.
Thank you for your comments, I hope you find the feedback useful!
Josh J.

Josh J.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
Rebecca completed a manuscript assessment for my novel. The feedback she provided was actionable and well explained, and my mind has been ticking overs with ideas for improvement ever since.
Rebecca S.
Glad to leave you feeling inspired! It was a pleasure to read your manuscript and I can’t wait to see where you take the story next.
Ali M.

Ali M.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
My collaboration with Rebecca was extremely valuable and professional. I initially requested a manuscript assessment for a first draft, and she completed the assessment in a timely manner and with an objective approach. Also, while Rebecca’s assessment was critical, it was constructive and not di...
Read more
Rebecca S.
Thank you Ali, it was a pleasure to read your manuscript and work together to take it to the next stage!
Jessica D.

Jessica D.

Dec, 2024

I had the pleasure of working with Rebecca on an assessment of my novel, and I cannot express enough how invaluable her feedback was. From the moment I received her detailed assessment, it was clear that she had not only read my manuscript thoroughly but had taken the time to engage with the stor...
Read more
Rebecca S.
Thank you for your lovely review, and thank you very much for sharing your story with me. It was a pleasure working with you. All the best with your author journey!
Lachlan N.

Lachlan N.

Mar, 2024

Fantastic to collaborate with, Rebecca gave her full attention and effort to our short consolation session. She ran through a list of thoughtful questions that challenged me to think about why and what I write. As a result of Rebecca's professional consultation I have a clearer understanding of m...
Read more
Rebecca S.
I hope you found it useful! Keep me posted on where you take your project next, you have such exciting ideas I'm sure you'll have a great time exploring the creative world.

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