Meet Angela

I’m Angela, a professional editor who helps fiction authors improve their manuscripts.

I’m also an agented author of five published books, so I know that crafting a novel – of any length and genre – takes perseverance and commitment.

I know, too, how daunting it can be to hand your manuscript to someone else, especially an editor.

That’s why I feel privileged every time an author entrusts their work to me.

And, unlike many writers, I truly love the editing process – the careful smoothing and refining that can lift an author’s voice to the next level.

For me, that’s where the magic happens.


Qualifications and professional standards

I have a Diploma in Editing and Proofreading (with Excellence) from the New Zealand Institute of Business Studies, and have furthered my editorial training with courses through The Publishing Training Centre and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) in the UK.

I’m an associate member of the Institute of Professional Editors and an intermediate member of the CIEP, and am bound by their Codes of Practice and Ethics. With every job, I aim for the highest editorial standards.

I am also a partner member of The Alliance of Independent Authors, a nonprofit professional association for self-publishing authors.


On a more personal note…

I live with my husband at the edge of a native bush reserve in the small, vibrant harbourside city of Wellington, New Zealand. Before turning my career focus to writing and editing, I worked in high-level administrative roles in the corporate sector, primarily as an executive assistant at CEO and board level.

I also worked abroad and, like many an intrepid Kiwi, travelled extensively, backpacking through Turkey, Egypt, Israel and much of Western Europe.

During those years, my desire to become a published author never waned. In the end (and after several false starts), I did exactly that – and discovered my love of editing along the way.

To learn more about how we can work together, have a look at my services page. Or if you have questions, check out the FAQs or drop me a line. I’d be delighted to hear from you.


she embraced my manuscript and lifted it to the next level

Angela Bissell is a true gem of a copyeditor. With an eagle-eyed focus on detail coupled with skillful attention to context and nuance, she embraced my manuscript and lifted it to the next level.

S G Benton, Thriller Author

I learnt so much from her thorough and kind approach to editing

This was my first experience of collaborating with an editor and what an excellent choice! Angela is an absolute delight to work with. I learnt so much from her thorough and kind approach to editing.

S J Gardiner, Thriller Author

a killer combination for polishing a manuscript

Working with Angela is always an enriching experience. She’s an editor who is fully committed to her clients, helping craft the best possible stories with a keen eye for detail, while still respecting the author’s voice and creativity.

Bronwen Evans, USA Today Bestselling Author

the result was a much better script that I proudly presented to my publisher

When I got my manuscript back from Angela, I was shocked to realise it wasn’t just a couple of typos here and there as I’d imagined. She had done a huge job, and the result was a much better script that I proudly presented to my publisher.

Annika Ohlson-Smith, Fiction Author

I highly recommend Angela to anyone who wants to release the best version of their book

I found Angela to be an exceptional editor to work with. I had trialled a number of freelance editors previously and the editing process with Angela was by far the smoothest I have ever experienced.

Jax Calder, Fiction Author
NZIBS Graduate Badge
IPEd Associate Member
CIEP Intermediate Member
ALLi Partner Member