Toby Selwyn | Fiction editor and proofreader

Testimonials

Not only is Toby a prompt and professional editor with a fantastic eye for detail, but he is also a wonderful sensitivity reader for LGBTQ+ themes. Can’t recommend him enough!

Kory M. Shrum, bestselling independent author (LGBTQ+ paranormal thrillers, speculative fiction)

Toby has done a stellar job as my editor, combining a merciless eye for inconsistencies and glitches with unfailing good humour. This story has been honed and polished by his professional skills, which I very much appreciate.

Juliet E. McKenna, bestselling independent author (contemporary fantasy)

As a writer of queer and LGBTQ+ romance fiction, it was extremely important for me to find an editor that was not only highly qualified and skilled but that also created a safe and supportive space for my stories and characters. I am very pleased to say that I found both in Toby. He is a rare find, and a true pleasure to work with.

Karla Nikole, independent author (LGBTQ+ paranormal romance)

Toby is an excellent copy-editor and proofreader, particularly for sci-fi and fantasy novels, which can be so complex and detailed. I have no hesitation trusting him with freelance projects, as he always completes them to the highest standard, as well as doing them on time. He is very reliable and personable, and has quickly become a go-to person in our directory of freelancers.

Sam Fletcher, Pan Macmillan

I used Toby Selwyn's services for my novella. Toby offered great advice, his editing raised my manuscript another notch, and he was easy to work with and quick to respond to queries. I would thoroughly recommend him to anyone seeking to engage an independent editor.

Violet Penrose, independent author (steampunk, LGBTQ+ romance)

Toby has distinguished himself as a thorough and reliable editor. His discerning eye has brought the most subtle inaccuracies and inconsistencies to light in over a dozen of our books. It is a pleasure to work with him, and I look forward to working with him for years to come.

Chris Schultz, Skyhorse Publishing

As a self-published author of fantasy I believe it is imperative that my work is edited to a high standard. Toby has provided copyediting for two of my books and I feel they are much better for it. He is professional and polite, delivering on time and with excellent quality. I would highly recommend his services and plan to use them again myself in the future.

Rob J. Hayes, award-winning independent author (fantasy)

Toby is an absolute joy to work with. He has worked on a variety of novels and short fiction for Black Library and has approached each with clarity, professionalism and enthusiasm, communicating well throughout and never missing a deadline. His work is exceptional and he clearly takes pride in his editing and proofreading, delivering a quality service every time. We are delighted to have him on our freelance team.

Karen Miksza, Black Library

l would wholeheartedly recommend Toby's work to anyone looking for a strong copy-editor of speculative fiction. Whether long or short pieces, Toby always delivers the work on time and his astute observations always strengthen the prose and make it clearer and flow better. Toby has a very keen eye for detail and an excellent sense for style and voice. On top of that, Toby's experience with speculative fiction gives him the extra edge an editor needs to observe big-picture structural lssues, characterization problems, and plot holes. And he's not just pointing those out, he comes up with real solutions and suggestions that authors can use to improve their work. I'm very happy to have had the chance to work with Toby!

lulian lonescu, Fantasy Scroll Magazine (sci-fi, fantasy and horror short stories)

If you're looking for a top-notch editor ... then look no further. It has been my pleasure to work with Toby on several projects, and as always he never fails to deliver timely, professional work. You couldn't want a better editor, whether it's a proofread or an in-depth critique. I look forward to working with Toby again and recommend him 110%!

Sam Spinner, independent author (thriller, science fiction)

If you're reading this testimonials page, you're probably looking for an editor. I've learnt that tracking down a good one is not at all easy, yet it's critical to successful publication. So, I hope this reference helps you to make the right choice:
I found Toby Selwyn to be professional and conscientious, showing great care in his work. He went well beyond my expectations to find a dependable copy editor, not just in the excellent quality of the core task, which he finished ahead of time, but in his overall  service, adding a useful critique and maintaining a working dialogue with me throughout. I will use Toby again.

Michael Gallagher, independent author (general fiction)

Toby is a highly competent and experienced editor. He has a keen attention to detail and is extremely organized and reliable. When working for members of my team he has been a safe pair of hands, who is proactive in asking questions if anything is unclear, and he is very professional and communicative. My colleagues also speak very highly of him and have also used him for project management work.

Charlie Webb, Oxford University Press

l have worked with Toby both in-house and in a freelance capacity, first as his line manager at Oxford University Press, then having commissioned him as a freelancer for Cambridge University Press. ln all cases, Toby approached projects with a high level of competence and attention to detail. He never missed a deadline and his sensible queries always reassured me that he would deliver according to the brief. I would not hesitate in using Toby in the future for both print and digital projects.

Sian Jones, Cambridge University Press