About BubbleCow

At the heart of our company is one simple fact: Storytelling is an art, but writing is a craft.

Our goal is to teach you the writing skills you need to make your book a success.

BubbleCow is an editing company that was born into the modern world of self-publishing. We have developed a way of editing that not only shows you what’s wrong with your book, but gives you all the guidance you need to fix the mistakes. For us, the quality of the feedback is everything. This is why we are the only company in the world to offer line editing AND a detailed reader’s report as standard (and at no extra cost).Most of our competitors offer either an editor’s report OR a line edit. We offer both, for the same price they are charging.

The reason?

You need both to be able to grow as a writer.

What we do?

At first we just provided editing to writers and publishers plus guidance on the best way to prepare a book proposal. These two services remain a part of our business, but the publishing world has changed greatly over the years, and in response to our clients, we have expanded and now also offer proofreading.

Our Story

BubbleCow is a family run business. Since 2007 we have edited more than 800 books in a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. Perhaps the best reason to pick BubbleCow is that we will go that extra mile. We can become very attached to the books we edit, and like our children, we will fight to see them succeed.

Editors

Caroline Smailes

With a post graduate degree in Creative Writing, Caroline has gained a wealth of experience within the publishing and literary community. She has participated in literary festivals and given workshops across the country focusing on the building of author web presence and the craft of writing. As well as writing literary fiction and blogging, she has worked as an editor and as a reader for several publishers. Caroline mentored for Tonto Books in their Arts Council-supported project to discover, develop and publish talented new writers and also judged in the New Novelist competition. Her decision to found and develop BubbleCow grew from an understanding that modern writers require fast, efficient and affordable services that can be tailored to meet personal needs. Caroline’s novels are published by HarperCollins.

Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes has a wide experience of the publishing industry and, over the years, has worked as a freelance writer, historian and researcher. He has an eclectic educational background with a first degree in Biology and a post graduate degree in Military History. Gary has written a number of history books for children, including the Brave Scot series, the Modern Hero series and the BattleBooks series. To date he has more than twenty titles in print with a number of publishers. He also worked closely for many years with the successful author Terry Deary as the researcher for the ever popular Horrible Histories books and TV series. He continues to write for children and has a number of books due for publication this year. He is represented by literary agent Andrew Lownie. Gary’s website

Testimonials

I would like to thank you and the editor that worked on my manuscript. I was impressed by the thoroughness and detail of the edit. The editor’s report was very professionally detailed and was specific. It was also straight forward

Aaron Fleming

BubbleCow is an essential service. Every time a writer self-publishes a poorly edited book it furthers the belief that self-published books are simply amateurish, vanity books. We owe it to other members of our community to make sure that our

John Gillum, author of Big Bad Dog

BubbleCow’s guidance remains the most helpful of all. They have the ability to read your work and come up with a suggestion that leaves you slapping your forehead, thinking “Of course!” Their thoughts have invariably improved my work and needless

Matthew Watkinson

BubbleCow know the fast-changing literary landscape inside out. The experience and contacts they have will improve any writer’s chances of either a first publication or improved sales and readership.

Chris Rickaby

I was very pleased with your edits. As a general comment, may I say that I was gratified that you allowed me to be myself; rather than trying to force me into someone else’s compartment/style/…. This, coupled with the encouragement

Ian Anderson, author of Knight

Your edit has allowed me to refine the writing of Brilliant Water further than I could have ever imagined. I can only say, “Thank you. I knew you were the guy for me!” Just amazing, all of your points…”

Jennifer Arfa, author of Brilliant Water

I didn’t like the thought of some stranger interfering with my book, I was, I admit, a bit precious. However, the process was massively useful – problems were highlighted that I didn’t know existed and insightful and creative solutions were

Nik Jones, author of 9987, published by Tonto Books

Thank you for your spot-on advice. You found critical gaps in character development and plot that I had a hard time seeing with my author lenses. The novel shines much better now. I also appreciated your willingness to work with

Steve Tandberg, author of Origins

Thank you for your efforts. Having never done anything like this before I didn’t know what to expect, but I must say I am pleased with the results. I feel your review was well balanced, offering criticism and suggestions where

Grant Williams, author of If At First

Very many thanks for your report. I feel encouraged to rewrite and you have given me much to think about. Your comments are consistently constructive. May BubbleCow thrive!