Rachael Mortimer | Historical, Fantasy & Crime Fiction Editor
Based in Wiltshire, UK, and works with clients around the world
- [email protected]
- Organisation
- Rachael Mortimer Proofreading Services
- Job title
- Copyeditor and proofreader of fiction and board games | historical, fantasy, crime, mystery and speculative fiction
- Membership Grade
- Advanced Professional Member
About Rachael
https://linktr.ee/rachaelmortimer
I'm a thorough, flexible and reliable freelance copyeditor and proofreader of fiction and board games for independent and self-publishing authors, publishers and designers.
If you’d like to work with an experienced editorial professional who can help you ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency in your novel or rulebook:
► Read on for more information, including the areas I specialise in, the services I offer, details of my training, some projects I’ve worked on, and client testimonials
► Get in touch at [email protected]
► Download my Professional Portfolio (link at the bottom of this page)
Areas I specialise in
Fiction
I specialise in copyediting and proofreading the following fiction genres for independent/self-publishing authors, authors who are looking for agents/publishers, and publishers: historical, fantasy, crime, mystery and speculative fiction.
I also have experience of working with authors of sci-fi, adventure, open world/choose your own adventure, anthologies, YA, literary and contemporary fiction.
Subgenres I work in
I have worked on books in the following subgenres:
- Historical fiction: adventure | romance | murder mystery | crime thriller | alternate history | dual timeline | YA | literary | family saga | Roman | medieval | World War II
- Fantasy, sci-fi and speculative fiction: high fantasy | historical fantasy | urban fantasy | progression fantasy | dystopian fiction | sci-fi spy fiction | contemporary fiction with a supernatural element | adult fantasy adventure | metaphysical science fiction | YA | paranormal
► Find out more about my fiction services
Board games and card games
For board game publishers, I proofread rulebooks, cards, box covers and other written components as a final check before the files go to print. I copyedit rulebooks for publishers before final layout or for designers wanting to submit their games to publishers. I also proofread Kickstarter/crowdfunding pages.
► Find out more about my board game services
Services I offer
- Copyediting
- Proofreading
- Editing UK and US English
- Copyediting and proofreading using Microsoft Word's tracked changes and comments
- Proofreading PDFs using Adobe Acrobat's tools and comments
I also copyedit and proofread:
- Non-fiction, e.g. how-to writing guides
- Website text
- Blog posts
- Newsletters
- Information sheets
- Promotional material
► Visit my website for more information
More about me
I wrote a blog for The Publishing Training Centre about my editorial experience in the fiction and board-game industry. You can read it here: Freelancing in fiction and board games.
Learn more about me in the CIEP's Meet our members.
Training and continuing professional development
- Freelance since 2015
- Essential Proofreading (Publishing Training Centre, PTC)
- Copyediting 1 (CIEP)
- Copyediting: A Guide for Proofreaders (Margaret Aherne)
- Introduction to Fiction Editing (CIEP)
- Switching to Fiction (Louise Harnby)
- How to Write the Perfect Editorial Report (Louise Harnby)
- How to Line Edit for Suspense (Louise Harnby)
- ProWritingAid Science Fiction Writers' Week webinars
- ProWritingAid Fantasy Writers' Week webinars
- ProWritingAid Crime Writers' Week webinars
- How to Read a Novel (Future Learn)
- Immersive Copyediting for Fantasy & Science Fiction webinar (ACES: The Society for Editing)
- Editing with Word (SfEP, now CIEP)
- Annual conferences 2021, 2023 and 2024 (CIEP)
- Annual conference 2018 (SfEP)
- BA (Hons) German and Spanish
► Visit my website for a full list of training I've completed
Some projects I've worked on
Fiction
- The Cyclone’s Eye by T. J. Farlow
- The Lost Redeemer by David Musk
- The Justicar’s Heir by David Musk
- The Last Sanctifier by David Musk
- Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars by Ryan J Hamshaw
- Three Lives in Three Seconds by Michael Girik
- Warlord of the Lonely Fortress: Prelude by Alex James
- What Could Have Been by Luke Melia
- Apocalypse Cancelled (anthology) by Luke Melia
- MARY: Adrift in the Sea of Sorrow by Kate Cunningham
Board games
- Aeon’s End (base games and various expansions): Indie Boards & Cards
- Flash Point Legacy of Flame: Indie Boards & Cards
- They Live and They Live The Card Game: Iconiq Studios
- Kingmaker: Gibsons Games
- War of the 3 Sanchos: Surprised Stare Games
- Rebel Princess: Zombi Paella
- Merchants of the Dark Road: Elf Creek Games
- Jane Austen’s Matchmaker and Jane Austen’s Revenge: Sabrewolf Games
- Aftershock San Francisco & Venice: Stronghold Games
- Nights of Fire Battle for Budapest: Mighty Boards
Testimonials
"Rachael is a real professional. She gives you the feeling that she cares as much about your writing as you do yourself. She has a great eye for the most mundane detail and has a broad understanding of both plot and structure. I'll be calling her when my next book is ready."
Fonzie Keogh, author of historical murder mystery
"Thanks so much for the excellent editing. You caught dozens of errors we thought we had taken care of in all our rewrites. Your style guide is truly impressive and it was thoughtful of you to put the Book 2 additions in red – very helpful. Book 3 of our trilogy is still in the first draft stage but you can be sure that we'll ask you to edit it as soon as it's ready."
"I've been going over your editing of Book 3, and have been highly impressed by the enormous amount of work you poured into the task. Thank you many times over for your highly valuable contribution."
Independent fantasy fiction authors
"I hired Rachael to proofread my debut alternate history work, The Cyclone's Eye. Her attention to detail was just what my manuscript needed in its final proofreading round. Judging by some of her insightful comments and observations, I can tell she would also make an excellent developmental editor and copyeditor. I definitely recommend her, especially but not exclusively to writers of historical fiction, for any level of editing, and I will be back when the sequel to The Cyclone's Eye is ready for professional editing."
T. J. Farlow, author of historical fiction/fantasy
"I just wanted to thank you again for your tremendous help. You've worked wonders with my manuscript, removing repetition, showing me where content has been duplicated, and drawing attention to gendered language. I'm highly confident my book is much tidier and reads much better as a result."
Alex James, science-fiction and fantasy author
"It was a real pleasure working with Rachael. Not only did I have confidence in her professional proofreading skills, but her enthusiasm and communication about the book was really encouraging and gave me lots of ideas about how to excite my audience. I look forward to working with her on future projects."
Kate Cunningham, Reading Riddle
"Rachael’s work on my new anthology exceeded my expectations, and has been paramount in ensuring the language is accurate and consistent throughout the book. The stories are set in different places around the world, and Rachael adjusted the text to make the spelling/punctuation match accordingly. I am very grateful for the work, and won’t hesitate to hire her for future projects. How it was completed so fast I don’t know. I can only assume that Rachael is some sort of wizard."
Luke Melia, author of speculative fiction
"Rachael did an outstanding job proofreading our board game Rumian. Her attention to detail and understanding of board game terminology helped create clear, error-free documentation while maintaining our game's unique voice. She went above and beyond our expectations, delivering exceptional results that truly elevated the final product. We highly recommend her services and look forward to working with her again."
Andreas Kobari, Murdoc Games
"Rachael's professionalism and attention to detail is extraordinary! She helped us to improve our copy, ensure it was appropriately pitched for the age group and that the instructions were clear, concise and inclusive. I feel rest assured now with the quality of our content – all thanks to Rachael!"
Dr Emmie Fulton, Hero Cards
"Rachael proofread my rulebooks for Mission Command: Normandy, a fairly large World War 2 historical miniatures wargame. For the final rules, this involved a Reference Manual of over 120 pages, and an 80 page How to Play guide, including extensive sections of historical background. Rachael’s professional approach, communications skills, and fast turnaround ensured that we picked up on inconsistencies in style, grammar, spellings, and layout. It is always a pleasure to work with Rachael, and she is a vital part of our game publishing process."
Alan Paull, Surprised Stare Games
"Rachael has become an essential part of getting our games to print. Her passion for games, coupled with her professional skills as a proofreader help us catch not only typos, but inconsistencies in style or grammar as well. She's fast, thorough, and a pleasure to work with."
Brent Dickman, Elf Creek Games
"Rachael ensured consistency and clarity across both the components and rules of a new game I was hoping to pitch to publishers. Her thoroughness and attention to detail ensured that I could present the best version of my game and maximise its chances of success."
Matthew Dunstan, game designer
► Visit my website to read more about what my clients say
► Get in touch at [email protected]
Service(s)
Specialisms
Client types
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.