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 over your manuscript, especially to an editor.
That’s why I feel privileged every time an author entrusts their work to me.
And honestly, I love the editing process. The meticulous, sentence-level refining that strips away distractions and lets the author’s voice – and story – shine.
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 advanced my editorial training 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 I am bound by their Codes of Practice and Ethics. With every job, I aim for the highest editorial standards.
I’m 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 vibrant harbourside city of Wellington, New Zealand. Before turning my career focus to writing and editing, I worked 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 dream of becoming a published author never waned. In the end, I did exactly that – and discovered my love of editing along the way.
To learn how we can work together, check out my services page. Or if you have questions, browse the FAQs or drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.
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. She’s prompt and easy to work with, and her editing expertise and seasoned background as a successful author with a demanding publishing house are a killer combination for polishing a manuscript.
Before my first novel went to print, my publisher advised me to get a final proofreader/editor to read it. As the script had gone through the mill a couple of times before, I didn’t think much more work would be needed. 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. So, from the bottom of my heart, a big Thank You to Angela. I warmly recommend her to other writers.
read more “the result was a much better script that I proudly presented to my publisher”
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. I’ll be forever grateful to Angela for her guidance, professionalism, and gracious manner. I hope to work with her throughout my book series.
read more “she embraced my manuscript and lifted it to the next level”
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. Her explanations were always clear. I appreciated how much her suggestions honoured my author voice too. It’s uncanny how well she could read my mind. I definitely recommend Angela to any author who wants the best for their manuscript.
read more “I learnt so much from her thorough and kind approach to editing”
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. From my first communication with her she was friendly and professional, and the standard of her edit exceeded my expectations. She did a fabulous job of correcting mistakes, improving readability and enhancing the story while still respecting my author voice. Her editorial report where she analysed different aspects of my writing was thorough and astute, and it will be an incredible professional development tool for me going forward. I highly recommend Angela to anyone who wants to release the best version of their book possible.
read more “I highly recommend Angela to anyone who wants to release the best version of their book”
