Manuscript critique, development editing, line and copy-editing

‘I would like to pay special thanks to my editor, Lisa Cordaro. Writing a book for the first time and handing it over to someone else for scrutiny is a daunting prospect.

From the very first communication we had, Lisa was able to grasp the vision I had for the project. Her encouragement, professionalism and sharp business acumen have helped to make this book far better than it otherwise would have been.’

Dave Holloway, author
Wonder Leads: Remarkable Lead Generation for Positive Small Businesses
(Jolly Funnel Press, 2020)

Axiom Business Book Awards 2021 – Silver Medal, Sales category
Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2021 – Sales and Marketing category
2x Amazon bestseller, Sales and Marketing category

‘My wonderful editor, Lisa Cordaro, shaped this into the helpful guide it was always meant to be: her insights and experience have been invaluable.’

Julia Elliott Brown, author
RAISE: The Female Founder’s Guide to Securing Investment
(Enter the Arena Publishing, 2022)
Amazon bestseller, Venture Capital category
Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2023 – Specialist Business Books category

 

‘Lisa proved invaluable as the editor of my book, Madagascar Unknown: Adventures Off the Beaten Track.

What was initially a travel journal was transformed into a book with Lisa’s editorial input. As an experienced editor, she was able to pinpoint where I needed to make changes to the content and detail of the manuscript, and where to make it more colourful and free-flowing for the reader.

After the initial changes she worked extremely hard on the copy and line edit, and made the resultant manuscript something to be proud of.

All through the process she was professional, objective and very easy to communicate with. I would recommend her.’

Charlie Barrett, author
Madagascar Unknown: Adventures Off the Beaten Track
(Amazon Kindle, 2019)

Manuscript critique, development editing and copy-editing

‘Lisa did a wonderful job on my new book, The Servant Leader’s Manifesto. She really made the book pop and brought out the best from my drafting!’

Omar Luqmaan-Harris, author
The Servant Leader’s Manifesto
(Intent Books, 2020)

 

‘Lisa is an extremely knowledgeable and supportive editor. As a first-time author, I was unsure what to expect and nervous about receiving feedback; however, I need not have been concerned.

Lisa is sensitive to potential concerns, and communicates in a professional, honest yet considerate fashion. Lisa’s advice and guidance were superb, and helped guide my book into a much better place.

I learned a great deal from Lisa, which I know has improved my writing. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her, and highly recommend her services.’

Kate Minchin, author
Always Time for Coffee: A Down-to-Earth Guide for
Frontline Managers, Team Leaders and Supervisors
(Amazon, Kobo and print, 2019)

‘Lisa worked with me to develop and copy edit my non-fiction sample chapters manuscript prior to submission to an interested publisher.

There were two phases, a collaborative development editing phase and a technical copy edit. Lisa’s approach to both phases was first class. Her technical copy edit was exemplary, turning what I had thought was a decent manuscript into a much tighter, more professional, clearer draft. I accepted every change she suggested and every query was spot on.

Prior to that, in the development edit, she revealed an in-depth understanding of the brief and helped me reshape the manuscript by combining diplomacy and reassurance with complete honesty and directness as to what was needed.

She is a first-class editor with great collaboration skills and I would work with her again without hesitation. She knows what you want to say, even if you can’t quite say it yourself.’

Howard Walwyn, author
Clear Business English for Financial Services Professionals
(manuscript in submission)

Manuscript critique

‘In 2016 Lisa reviewed my unfinished manuscript of the first biography of Victorian pioneer photographer, Robert Howlett.

As a photographer attempting authorship for the first time, it has been a voyage into the unknown and steep learning curve. Lisa’s approach was professional and full of empathy, with suggestions for improvement made with tact and diplomacy, and responses received quickly.

Her observations, both technical and of writing style, were made in an objective manner, all of which were explained with a clear focus on how the suggested amendment would enhance the prospect of publication.  The critique was balanced, with acknowledgement of successful passages and highlighting where improvements were required.

Lisa’s knowledge and understanding of the publishing world is clear, and her insights consistently given into where my biography may fit the specific criteria of this demanding professional sector. My confidence was boosted by her friendly, supportive approach, leaving the critique as a pleasant and extremely valuable experience. I acted on all her suggestions, producing a greatly improved version on which to base a synopsis aimed at a potential publisher.

With Lisa’s support, any manuscript stands a much better chance of success, and I wholeheartedly recommend her excellent services.’

Rose Teanby ARPS, photographer and author
Robert Howlett: The Man Who Made Brunel
(manuscript in submission)

Manuscript critique, line and copy-editing

‘I very much enjoyed working with Lisa and thanks to her editing, my travel memoir was greatly improved. She simplified and shortened text where necessary and gave clear, useful feedback.

Lisa always responded quickly to any questions I had, and communicated in a thoughtful and sensitive manner. I would strongly recommend her services to anyone in need.’

Carolyn Daniels, author
Dusty Sandals and Backpacks: A Mother and Daughter’s
Adventures in India and Nepal
(Amazon Kindle and print, 2018)

Book proposal editing

‘I had the pleasure of working with Lisa recently on a small project to get my book proposal into good shape to submit to an interested agent. Her responsiveness and attention to detail, and the way she handled giving me feedback so sensitively, confirmed she was the right person to do my manuscript review.

Sadly, Lisa decided not to take on the work as she felt she was not quite the right person for the human interest story I had written, but went to great lengths to put me in touch with other copy-editors she felt were better placed to help me.

This level of support shows integrity and huge professionalism, and in a business world where many are too busy to offer this level of support. It is very much valued. I have no hesitation in recommending Lisa.’

Elaine Halligan, London Director of The Parent Practice and author
My Child’s Different
(Crown House Publishing, 2018)

Restructuring and substantial editing, copy-editing

‘I worked with Lisa when she edited an e-book of mine. It was the first piece of work like this that I had completed, and also the first time I had worked with an editor, so I was a bit nervous about the whole process.

I needn’t have been, because Lisa ensured the whole process went smoothly from start to finish. Lisa talked the process through before starting work, and answered any questions I had patiently and thoroughly. The actual edits were fantastic, and her style was so easy to work with.

I would not hesitate to recommend Lisa, and would most definitely work with her again.’

Lildonia McNally Lawrence, co-author (with Cory McNally)
How to Buy a Property: A Simple Guide for Millennials
(Amazon Kindle and print, 2017)

‘I took delivery of the books yesterday and made my first sale today. The feedback so far is most complimentary. Thank you for your major part in making the book so readable … Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for your superb editing work.’

Alison R. Russell, author
Are You Chasing Rainbows? A Practical Insight into
Emotional Maturity and Why Adults
Sometimes Behave Like Children
(Balloon View, 2013)

Line and copy-editing

‘Lisa was a great resource and she helped me to improve my manuscript. She took it to the next level and gave such helpful insights and shared comments that have been ever so useful.

She is very quick to respond, very diligent and she works very structured. She sticks to deadlines and really makes an effort to understand the concept of the book, the audience and also thinks of writing it in ways to help sell the book.

I would strongly recommend Lisa to anyone who has the ambition to finalise their management book manuscript. Guaranteed your manuscript will be in very good hands.’

Barbara Koenen-Geerdink, author
Beyond Billable Hours: Your Guide to Career Success
in Professional Services Firms
(Independently published, 2020)

Copy-editing

‘It’s the first time I’ve worked with an editor and I have felt safe and in good hands with Lisa. She’s gone way beyond the call of duty in her work on the manuscript, and her communication throughout has been excellent.’

Pilar Orti, co-author (with Maya Middlemiss)
Thinking Remote: Inspiration for Leaders of Distributed Teams
(Amazon Kindle and print, 2019)

 

‘I had written cookery books before but this was my first food history. I knew I needed an editor to smooth out my occasionally ragged English, but hadn’t realised how valuable Lisa would be in improving the flow of the narrative and reworking the text to make the meaning clearer.

My email queries were answered promptly, and the finished manuscript accurately reflects the changes we made. Lisa and I had an initial conversation where we talked about the book and who the potential audience would be.

I was impressed how carefully Lisa listened to my answers and thought then that she would be an excellent editor. I was proved right.’

David Smith, author
The Cooking Colonel of Madras
(Lulu, 2018)

‘Lisa was endlessly patient and conscientious with a very complex project: I was impressed by her professional approach and the quality of her editorial interventions. I have no hesitation recommending her as a copy-editor.’

Alison Jones, publisher
Practical Inspiration Publishing

‘I have gone through your work and I’m very pleased with what you have done with the text. I can tell you put a lot of thought and work into it. I think your comments and queries are very clear.  Thanks again for your hard work! I look forward to the possibility of working with you again.’

Kelly Mundt-Czerkawska, managing editor
Sue Richardson Associates Ltd

‘My book is very important to me. It is about my area of expertise, something I am passionate about. I need it to speak in my voice. I also need it to be indistinguishable from the trade published books on the shelf next to it: not just in physical appearance, but in the quality of the text. It needed an expert eye, a critical eye, cast over all manner of things you do not (probably should not) think about when you are writing.

After two-and-a-half years of research and writing, being challenged like that is itself a challenge. It can get pretty intense at times, particularly when it comes to cutting/reworking sentences you may have laboured over for hours. Out of that heat comes something stronger than what went into it.

Suffice it to say that Lisa proved more than adept at working with both text and author. The ideal expert critical friend.’

Ian A. Marsh, author
If it is So Good to Talk, Why is it So Hard?
(Matador, 2018)

‘We’re grateful for your work and input on all the corrections and amendments we’ve made.

Many thanks for a great edit and proof.’

Dr Ian Scott and Dr Henry Thompson, co-authors
The Cinema of Oliver Stone: Art, Authorship and Activism
(Manchester University Press, 2016)

 

‘Lisa Cordaro has shown the merit of using a good proofreader by her accuracy, fast turnaround, and sensitivity to my books’ subject. Lisa has corrected typos, spelling, grammar, formatting and inconsistencies for two of my books: The Black Stars of Ghana and Empire Road, both of which were improved by her expertise.

I am pleased to endorse Lisa’s skills, and warmly recommend her.’

Alan Whelan, author
The Black Stars of Ghana (Inkstand Press, 2012)
Empire Road (Inkstand Press, 2015)

‘Thanks for this and for sending through the edited document and queries so quickly’
‘Huge thanks for the quick turnaround on this, massively helpful!’

GL Assessment

‘Thank you for your detailed editing notes, and for your swift work on this title! From first glance I can see that you have been very thorough, so thank you for your hard work on this.’

Intellect Books

‘Thank you once again for your thorough and diligent work on this one.’

Nuffield Trust

‘I just wanted to compliment you on the excellent job you did: a very clean file was received which was in excellent shape thanks to your work.’

Wordwright

Proof-editing

‘I have received the proof and everything looks good. You seem to have done a fine job so thank you. I look forward to seeing the book in print also as you can imagine and will send you a copy. I look forward to working with you again in the future.’

Sophie Ruggles, chef and author
My Barcelona Kitchen
(Murdoch Books, 2012)

Proofreading

‘Apologies as I’ve been meaning to get in contact with you for a while now to let you know how pleased I was with the proofreading job you did for me. You paid very close attention to my brief and did everything (and more!) that I asked of you. Your queries for the author and myself were very thoughtful and considered.

Overall I am very satisfied that you have improved the book immensely, and the author has been very pleased as he did acknowledge that he’s not a natural writer, although he’s obviously an expert on his subject. I would be more than happy to work with you again and to recommend you to my colleagues.’

Laura Blake, senior project editor
(major international business and professional publishing house)

‘I’ve had a chance to review your corrections and work on this project. Many thanks for such a thorough job! … I’ve been super impressed by your work and will feed back to the rest of the team here.’

Natasha Whelan, senior project editor
(major international business and professional publishing house)

Project management

‘“Hi – have just received my copies of Remaking Governance. It looks great, and I’m really pleased with it. Please can you congratulate everyone concerned to say thanks – this has been a very positive relationship, and I have appreciated everyone’s efficiency, responsiveness and professionalism.” Just wanted to pass on Janet [Newman]’s comments – take a very deep bow, you’ve earned it.’

Policy Press

Workshop

‘Thank you for being part of our writing week! There was a lot of interest and several people have already asked me how they can get the handouts from your session, so I think it did give people lots of useful advice.’

Erika Hawkes, Postgraduate Researcher Development Officer,
Graduate School, University of Birmingham