Sally Collings

I  help people make great books. I do it by writing, editing, and offering advice drawn from years of publishing bestsellers and award-winning titles.

My skills can enhance your written work, whether you want to create a print book or an ebook, and whether you are starting with a draft manuscript, a collection of articles or blog posts – or just a set of great ideas.

 

Ghostwriting and co-writing

Non-fiction is my specialty, and I love working on life stories and first-person accounts. Versatility is my middle name: I’ve worked with athletes, explorers, and entrepreneurs; I’ve written in the voice of a brain surgeon, a surrogate mother, and a Tokyo hostess.

Working through a series of structured interviews (face-to-face, Skype or email) or from material such as articles or blog posts, I can turn your book idea into a complete manuscript in around 6 months, depending on the materials and your availability.

 

Editing

My specialty is what I like to call ‘extreme editing’: also known as structural or developmental editing, I improve the tone or structure of a non-fiction manuscript.

I can breathe life into a manuscript by re-ordering material to improve the flow, making the tone appealing and consistent, identifying gaps or repetition in the content, and honing expression and word choice.

 

Consulting

Using my ‘book blueprint’ method, I help writers to take their big idea and make it even bigger and better, and then to achieve their publishing goals, whether that be securing a contract with a trade publisher or releasing their own work independently.

 

I had the pleasure of working with Sally Collings as her in-house editor recently and found her a total professional: intelligent, thoughtful, and dedicated to making her book the best it could possibly be.

–      Anne Reilly, HarperCollins Publishers

Sally polished my writing style while staying true to my voice and the message I was sharing.

–      Jo Bassett, writer, executive and performance coach

Sally is not only one of the most brilliant writers and editors in Australia, she’s a pleasure to work with.

–      Fiona Henderson, Head of Non-Fiction, HarperCollins Publishers

Sally is a pleasure to work with. Creative. Great sense of humor. Complete understanding of the nuts and bolts of publishing and a brilliant editor.

–      Philippa Sandall, Philippa Sandall Publishing Services

 

Please contact me to discuss your writing, editing or publishing requirements. I can provide a fee structure that is tailored to your needs.

 

Sally Collings is a member of the Gotham Ghostwriters network and the Association of Ghostwriters.