Chloë Rayban – Jericho Writers
Jericho Writers
Box 321, 266 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DL, United Kingdom
UK: +44 (0)330 043 0150
US: +1 (646) 974 9060
Chloë Rayban

Chloë Rayban - Editor

Chloë Rayban is best known for her YA novels. Her wacky, humorous ‘Justine’ novels have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and twice for the Guardian Fiction Prize. One of them was made into a feature film by Columbia Tristar. Over the past twenty-five years, her books have been published by Random House, Harper Collins, Hodder, Headline and Bloomsbury. She enjoys writing for all age groups, YA, Middle Grade and Early Readers. Under her real name – Carolyn Bear – OUP publishes her books for younger children, the most popular being the Scrapman series, which sells worldwide, most recently in China. She says her books “grew up with her children” and she now also writes both fiction and non-fiction for adults. Find out more on chloeraybanbooks.com

Testimonials

If you have a chance to work with Chloe Rayban, jump at it. Chloe reviewed my manuscript, offering thoughtful, sensible, and kind critique. Her critique was so helpful that I signed on for a follow-up consultation after I made revisions. Again, her feedback was constructive and enormously helpful. My work is much stronger as a result. 'Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer' is a better book because of Chloe's review of the manuscript. When I sent it to her I was stuck. Not only did she aid me in finding my direction again, but the book is much stronger for her insight and thoughtful questions. She has my highest recommendation.

- Frances S.

I found Chloe's feedback invaluable. It was extremely constructive, highlighting a number of crucial areas for me to work on. It was so helpful to have her question certain aspects of my manuscript, enabling me to grasp how a reader might understand my story - or not! She made a number of excellent suggestions for me to pursue to improve my writing. All of this was presented encouragingly and I felt positive about my work and my ability to make changes. Thank you so much for your help - it was an absolutely essential service!

- Rebecca S. L.

I was expecting the usual sinking, take-a-deep-breath and be-a-grown-up feeling but am surprised to discover that I'm laughing with delight at some of Chloe's suggestions. There's a lovely serious hilarity, which is what I hoped for when I chose her...many thanks for the detailed and very helpful suggestions. I appreciate them hugely and am delighted to have chosen her!

- Debbie

I'm pleased that Chloe enjoyed my book. I've been working on it for a number of years now. While I feel incredibly passionate about it, I was getting close to giving up as it didn't feel like I was getting anywhere with agent submissions. Chloe's feedback has galvanised me to keep going.

- Andy G.

I am astounded at the detail Chloe has included and the really tight observations of what works well and what could be improved. Far from her report being overly-critical, she has praised, encouraged and challenged my work in equal measure. Her observations and suggestions are astute, helpful and so easy to follow. Lots of recommendations for articles to explore or books to read to support my re-write and best of all, she has written with such warmth and humour that she has lifted my spirits and restored my faith in my writing. I had edited my book so many times, I just couldn’t see it objectively any more. I was so word blind I haven’t touched the book for months, now that I can see what needs to be done, motivation has returned and I’m loving my book all over again.

- Tana M-S

WHY WE LOVE CHLOE

Her particular blend of fantasy found in the midst of modern-day life may have something to do with her unusual world-view – possibly caused by having a degree in Philosophy.

WHAT CHLOE SAYS ABOUT EDITING

I’ve generally been on the receiving end of editorial advice and I’ve found the help my editors have given me over the years invaluable. I find it fascinating to see the same challenges being faced by fellow writers. A writer, in the process of creating, often gets bogged down in the nitty-gritty and can’t see where their strengths lie. ‘Looking over a writer’s shoulder’ so to speak, allows an editor to see the bigger picture. If I can communicate where the essence of a writer’s story is, and which elements are really working, I feel I have done my job. The topics I like tackling are story pacing: Where do the highs and lows occur? Is there enough plot knitting. Are the climaxes in the right place? Dialogue: Is it in character? Does it sound natural? Is it moving the story forward? And is there a good balance between showing and telling. I have a little selfish motive too – you learn so much from helping other people with their writing.

Genres Chloë specialises in

Fiction
Children's
Young Adult

Chloë's published books

Terminal Chic

Terminal Chic

Wild Child

Wild Child

My Escape to the Chateau

My Escape to the Chateau

Client successes

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