Doing a good job for clients is rewarding in itself but it's also very
satisfying to know that my efforts are appreciated. I greatly value the thanks of clients and the compliments of fellow
professionals. Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet if I quote some of their kind words . . .
Sarah Abel worked on my first five crime novels and was, without doubt, one of the most professional,
friendly and conscientious people I had the pleasure to deal with. Her copyediting was extremely thorough yet she understood
the importance of maintaining both the integrity of the main character and the voice of the books. Any alterations she
suggested were always reasoned, sympathetic and in keeping, and I am delighted to recommend her work.
Zoë Sharp, author of the Charlie Fox series of thrillers
Sarah Abel is a conscientious and professional proofreader and copyeditor who provides a
fast, efficient service. She has worked on several demanding projects for me that have required intense concentration, and
delivered good results very quickly. I will continue to use her.
Nicola Doherty, editor, Hodder & Stoughton
We have used Sarah's copy-editing and proof-reading services for many years now and we are always
more than satisfied with the exceptionally high standard of her work. She offers an efficient and professional service and
is always reassuringly unflustered and friendly.
Emma Callagher, editor, Piatkus Books
It's always a pleasure to work with you, Sarah!
Sue Lascelles, commissioning editor, Rider
I have worked with Sarah for about twelve years now. Her work is of a very high standard and she is
both accurate and reliable. Deadlines are very important to my company and I know that Sarah will always meet these for
me . . .
Jon Abnett, works manager, Phoenix Photosetting, Chatham, Kent
When I wrote my novel, The Winter House, I thought I'd found every glitch, every typo and
punctuation error. I thought it was finished. Couldn't have been more wrong. On the recommendation of another writer, Zoë Sharp,
I sent it to Sarah Abel. She found all the things I'd missed, despite going through it a zillion times, even including a teensy
little continuity error. How on earth could I have missed that?
I think, as writers, we have to accept that we cannot be totally impartial about our own work, no matter how we try, and the
days are long gone when an agent or publisher would take a promising manuscript and polish it up for publication. We have to
take responsibility for that ourselves nowadays, especially when we're considering self-publishing or using a small
independent publisher. To do that we need someone with a fresh pair of eyes and a scarily vast knowledge of punctuation and
typesetter speak. Which is where Sarah comes in. The Winter House came back from her looking polished and professional −
enough to encourage a publisher to ask for the full manuscript. I was delighted with the result and will definitely use
Sarah's services again.
Dee Weaver, whose first novel, The Winter House, is seeking a publisher
