For Authors
A postgraduate student of Lancaster University with a Ph.D. in Creative Writing, I am an award-winning novelist and screenwriter with proven teaching skills. I believe that my academic training and extensive mentoring experience, combined with my publishing and research background, gives me a rare editorial perspective.
Over the years many of my students and mentees have gone on to publish their work, win awards and forge successful careers in their chosen fields, whether that's as a short-story writer, novelist, or screenwriter.
Along with my enthusiasm and dedication to your work, I offer transparency and communication throughout, giving you peace of mind that your writing goals come first, and I promise my work will be carried out with sensitivity.
My notes and suggestions will also help you to see your work from the reader’s perspective and give you objective insight into what works, and what needs more attention. It is always difficult to find that balance on your own.
These are the four services I offer:
Editorial assessment
An editorial assessment is an extremely valuable first overview of your manuscript. I will read through your entire manuscript and provide thoughtful, in-depth feedback concerning elements such as plot, characterization, structure, consistency and style.
Developmental editing
Developmental editing is a phase in the book publishing process where I will work with you to resolve the “big picture” issues in your manuscript, including structure, form, plot, and character.
Copy Editing
Copy editing is the act of fine-tuning your text, addressing grammatical or punctuation errors, incorrect facts, anomalies, inconsistencies and glaring typos. Overall, the purpose of copy editing is to ensure that the language supports your intent — while also creating the most readable version of your book.
Final Proof
Working with a proofreader is the final stage of the editing process. To ensure your book is ready to hit the presses (or the digital publisher), I will step in and double-check everything. I will make sure that your book is free from spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and other issues that could spoil a reader’s enjoyment of your writing.
So, if you’re an emerging writer on the pathway to publication who is looking for a sympathetic, established editor to assist you on the next step of your journey, or if you're looking for a one-off critique, I'm here to help you craft the best possible version of your work to give it maximum impact.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss my fee structure: theverb@mail.com
I look forward to working with you.
AKEEM BALOGUN, author of 'The Storm', winner of the Somerset Maugham Prize
"Ray Robinson became a mentor of mine in 2016 and was heavily involved in my writing development and that of my first collection of stories. His knowledge and advice has been a flashlight in a dark tunnel, and I continue to benefit from it, and his presence, in all aspects of writing."
JOHNNY GAUNT, author of 'Offcumden'
“Ray’s mentorship has helped me with so many different aspects of writing my novel it would be impossible to list them all here! From the nuts and bolts of storytelling to the finest nuances of character and craft, his knowledge and understanding of the writing process is second to none. And yet, he manages to deliver his feedback with grace and consideration, sensitivity and compassion. Working with Ray has taken my writing to the next level.”
JIM WESTOVER, author of ‘Penknife’
“During my mentorship with Ray Robinson, he quickly saw what I was trying to achieve with my coming-of-age novel and helped me to see the issues I needed to address to improve my writing. With the aid of his expertise, I learned to know what needed to be shown as a scene, and what could be written as summary, and how to do both with economy and to move between them seamlessly. In short, he is an excellent editor and mentor, and has a great balance between being friendly and empathetic and maintaining professionality.”
BONNY BROOKS, author of 'Good Choices'
"You won't find a better editor/mentor than Ray Robinson. Detailed, exacting critique from a hugely talented writer and razor-sharp editor. I honesty can't recommend him highly enough."