“I had my book launch recently, which I am certain would never have happened without Averill. She is the consummate editor. Her input was immense, from editing and severe pruning, shaping the structure of the novel, proofreading, typesetting, helping with cover design, organising publication, to finally celebrating with me. We worked incredibly well together and I always felt totally involved. Working with her was a joy and I admire her enormously. Thank you, Averill.”
Heather McConnell, author of Under the Stone (October 2023)
“Immediately I saw the words ‘hand holding’ on Averill’s website I knew I had made the right choice. The quality of her work is outstanding and her knowledge, prompt and clear communication was exceptionally helpful. A safe and secure pair of hands that I would be more than happy to hold again.”
Robert Lomax, author of Universal Soul (July 2023).
“Averill has edited five non-fiction books for me in the last four years. In addition to editing, she proofread, typeset, indexed, designed covers and coordinated production with the printer. The extent and depth of Averill’s expertise cannot be overstated. It is invaluable. As an author you know you are in the most capable hands, added to which it is always a great pleasure dealing with Averill.”
O.M. Lewis, whose latest book is Barbarians at Bloomsbury: How the British Museum Appropriated Antiquities (November 2019).
“I could write an essay about Averill’s virtues as an editor and publishing consultant but will content myself with saying that she has twice provided me with exceptional help and support: a developmental edit of one novel, and preparing a second for publication. Both tasks were completed with the utmost professionalism. She listens carefully, makes constructive suggestions, and delivers on time and to cost. She is an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Helen Nicholl, author of two published novels, with other works in progress.
“I can’t thank you enough for the work you have done on my novel. Your analysis and report is forensic, insightful and, ultimately, hugely encouraging for me. It’s no exaggeration to say I feel I’m a very different writer this morning, thanks to you … You are the fiction editing world’s answer to Strepsils; you have helped me find my voice.”
Sean Ashcroft (work in progress, 2019).
“I would not hesitate to recommend Averill Buchanan to any writer seeking editorial services. Averill carried out a manuscript assessment on my book and also helped create the associated book blurb. Throughout the process, I felt that my book was in very safe hands. Averill has a lovely manner and can deliver hard truths in a kind way, always with the aim of making the story the best it can be. She is friendly and prompt in her communications, and goes over and beyond what can be reasonably expected. I have learned so much from her and am looking forward to working with her again in the future.”
Susie Murphy, author of A Class Apart (2018) and A Class Entwined (2019).
“Averill worked with me extensively on my second novel, Through Hollow Lands (Urbane, 2018). [She] was unfailing in her forensic attention to detail and clearly indicated her thinking to me on issues of pacing, plotting and POV. I came to understand her perspective on the necessity for brevity at key junctures. She remained accessible and engaged throughout the process and, indeed, afterwards. My writing style on this task – and by extension the novel itself – was enriched by her involvement. It is without hesitation that I recommend Averill’s services to other authors.”
Thomas Paul Burgess, author of Through Hollow Lands (Urbane, 2018).
“Averill gave me a time frame and a very reasonable quotation to typeset my first novel, Call Billy. She listened patiently to me about fonts and line spacing and everything with no hint of professional superiority, and graciously converted my manuscript to illustrate the various ideas I put to her. In the end, having had a chance to explore my options, I went with Averill’s initial recommendations, which attests to her experience and expertise. But there is more: she answers all emails within a few hours, and her answers are detailed and clear. Not once did I have to ask the same question twice. She even helped with my back-cover blurb. I felt incredibly safe and lucky.”
Sam McColl, author of Call Billy (2018).
“In 2017, Averill provided a manuscript report on my first novel Have You Found Luke?, a winner at the Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair 2016. From the get-go, she showed absolute care and attention by exploring and establishing what my editorial need was and proposing a tailor-made plan of work. At various points during her readings, Averill contacted me with progress reports, and went the extra mile by requesting to read an earlier short story that the novel grew from. The resulting manuscript report on the novel was in-depth, respectful and encouraging. The experience of working with Averill was hugely validating and educational, and is helping to guide me through my rewrite.”
Fiona O’Rourke, Author & Creative Writing Facilitator.
“The text [of Cúchulainn: Ulster’s Greatest Hero] is much crisper and flows more naturally. Proofreading and editing is certainly a fine art, a fine art over which you have the highest level of mastery, that much is clear. I was really impressed with your attention to every detail.”
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin (Gael Linn), translator of Cúchulainn: Ulster’s Greatest Hero, 2017.
“As a first time author, I was in need of developmental editing, copy-editing, and proofreading for my debut novel, Death by DNA. Averill performed all of these tasks with exceptional expertise and skill. When we first started working together, I had certain ideas about how much ‘science’ I wanted to include in my novel. Averill listened diligently (and patiently) to my point of view, and helped me shape the book so that there was still plenty of science, but not at the cost of bogging the story down. As an added bonus, she helped shepherd me through the intimidating process of self-publishing. Her expert guidance was invaluable every step of the way. Averill is an excellent editor and advisor, and I can’t wait to work with her on my next novel!”
John S. Shaw, III, author of Death by DNA, 2016.
“I was put in touch with Averill through The Literary Consultancy, which turned out to be an excellent recommendation. I cannot thank Averill too much for her professionalism and technical competence in dealing with my non-fiction book on the Isle of Man and the First World War. Above all, I am grateful for her endless patience in dealing with a text which I constantly kept on changing. The book is so much the better for her assistance.”
Patricia Skillicorn, author of The Hammer of Thor: The Impact of the Great War on the people of the Isle of Man, 2016.
“I cannot recommend Averill’s service highly enough. She has shown skill, wisdom and patience in equal measure. She not only brings technical expertise to bear on projects, but a commitment to excellence in publishing aligned with a heartfelt passion for good writing. Her help and support has been invaluable to us.”
Hugh Odling-Smee, publisher, Whittrick Press, 2016.
“Averill worked as my editor on my debut novel, The Silent Children. I couldn’t recommend her more highly. She immersed herself in my story world and really understood from the offset the tale I wanted to tell. She took my novel from 70% done to 100%, pushing me to improve every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without her. She has that great balance of delivering constructive criticism and encouragement. I loved working with her so much that I have asked her to work with me on my second novel.”
Amna K. Boheim, author of The Silent Children, 2015.
“I approached Averill Buchanan with a unique request for development editing. Throughout our work together, she was always prompt and thoughtful in response to my questions. After she provided her feedback, [she] responded quickly to follow-up questions and … gave me concrete next steps that I was able to use immediately, while also being respectful of my right to make the final calls. I enjoyed working with Averill and would recommend her to anyone looking for development editing.”
Sarah Carlson, independent author, 2014. Novel published as All the Walls of Belfast (Turner, 2019).
“I just wanted … to thank you for doing such a good job. You saved us from quite a number howlers, and it’s all very clearly marked-up.”
Helen Wright, Senior Editor, Blackstaff Press, 2012.
“I have used Averill’s services for nearly a decade: copy-editing, proofreading and indexing. She is extremely professional and helpful, and a pleasure to deal with. Her work is immaculate and I would not employ anyone else.”
Professor Lynda Pratt (University of Nottingham), 2012.
“Thank you, Averill, for your excellent copy-editing and indexing skills. It is a pleasure to work with someone so expert and trustworthy.”
Karen E. Brown, editor of Women’s Contributions to Visual Culture, 1918-1939 (Ashgate, 2008).
“Averill Buchanan provided expert advice and guidance of the highest order to the anthology project. Her insightful and incisive editorial skills were of enormous assistance.”
Frank Ferguson, editor of Ulster-Scots Writing: An Anthology (Four Courts Press, 2008).
