Hi! I’m Abi, a freelance editor and book coach

I’d love to work with you

For over a decade, I worked in-house at Big Five publishers, editing and publishing bestselling novels from authors including no.1 Kindle bestseller Faith Martin, Bookseller Heatseeker Rebecca Raisin, and USA Today bestseller Jennifer Chase.

I specialised – and still do – in commercial fiction, and have experience across a broad range of genres, from romantic comedy to psychological thriller, historical to police procedural. I now work as a freelance book editor from my home in Shropshire, and my clients range from major publishers to as-yet-unpublished authors, just beginning their writing careers.

Whatever stage of your journey you’re at – whether you have a brilliant idea and a blank page, or you already have several bestselling novels under your belt – I’d love to help you.

My services cover the full publishing journey, from idea generation right through to proofreading, and I’m always happy to talk through what kind of editorial support you might need. Drop me a line to find out more, or check out my resources page for writing and editing hints and tips.

Abigail Fenton Editorial logo
  • The Penford Manor Murders by Fiona Veitch Smith

  • Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin

  • The Good Husband by Steve Frech

  • The Whitechapel Widow by Emily Organ

  • The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin

  • Christmas at a Highland Castle

  • The Love Intervention by Caroline Khoury

  • The Secret of the Chateau by Kathleen McGurl

  • The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

  • Murder at the Opera House by Dawn Brookes

  • Don't Stop Me Now

  • Silent Cry

  • The Cafe at Seashell Cove

  • The Book of Last Letters

  • Pieces of Us by Eve Ainsworth

  • Abi is a great editor. She’s very clever at knowing what will appeal to the market, while still allowing writers the freedom to tell their own story. Her editorial notes are always bang on, and she’s got a way of suggesting an idea to spark a plot twist or character change without being didactic.

    Kerry Barrett, bestselling author of The Book of Last Letters

  • I learned so much from her edits, I feel as though I have taken a master class in writing. I am certain my future writing will be all the better for it… Her feedback was done in such a way that I never felt criticized, only encouraged to make necessary changes.

    Reedsy client

  • If you’re searching for an editor who will not only refine your work but lift it to heights you didn’t even know were possible, stop looking – Abi is the one. She has an extraordinary ability to zoom out and see the big picture while never losing sight of the smallest details. Every single one of the four titles I’ve worked on with Abi has been consistently loved by readers and reviewers alike. That’s not a coincidence; that’s Abi’s magic at work.

    Colleen Coleman, bestselling author of Don’t Stop Me Now

  • I found Abi to be incredibly responsive, laser-focused and has an incredible ability to cut right to the heart of what matters. Her insights have been invaluable – she had tons of ideas to make my project better in ways that I never would have been able to see for myself. I genuinely can’t recommend Abi enough to anyone in search of a thoughtful and meticulous editor.

    Reedsy client

Services

Just getting started and want feedback on your outline? Partway through and can’t see the wood for the trees? I can coach you to hit your writing goals!

Have a full draft and not sure where to go from here? This is a thorough report on all aspects of your manuscript to help you work out your path forward.

Want all the bells and whistles? Get a full report on your manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses, and where you can improve, plus the whole thing marked-up with in-line edits for sense, clarity, pace and style.