Editor
Richard Roper
Richard is an experienced senior commissioning editor for non-fiction at Headline (part of Hachette UK), where he has published a number of Sunday Times bestsellers. Richard is also a novelist. His debut, Something to Live For, was published by Orion (UK) and Penguin (US), and has sold in twenty languages.
Something to Live For (commercial reading group fiction) was a Barnes & Noble book of the month and was optioned for TV. The New York Times said, ‘I love this book with my whole heart.’ His second novel, When We Were Young, came out in 2021.
As an editor at Headline, he works mainly in biography and narrative non-fiction. He has published memoirs by comedians James Acaster, Miles Jupp, Katy Wix, and Joel Dommett. He has also worked with the likes of Dave Davies of The Kinks, sports stars Steven Gerrard and Andy Murray, brands like Downton Abbey, and quirky narratives such as A Tomb With a View by Peter Ross – recently awarded Scottish Non-Fiction book of the year.
Find Richard on Twitter here: @richardroper
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Richard's specialties
WHY WE LOVE RICHARD
Richard gives the perspective of a publisher, an author, and an editor. His knowledge of the publishing business make his insight on marketability and commercial appeal invaluable. Richard is thorough, upbeat, and incisive in his reports. Whether you’re writing nonfiction or commercial fiction, you’ll be in safe hands with him.
WHAT RICHARD SAYS ABOUT EDITING
As someone with a foot in both camps as author and editor, I am experienced at all stages of the publishing process. As an editor, I’ve always enjoyed helping writers solve the puzzle of how to make a book work. Now that I’m also an author, I know how important it is to put empathy and kindness, as well as constructive criticism, at the heart of feedback.
My fiction journey was far from straightforward. Having had my work rejected by agents and publishers, I know how hard it is to keep going. Now that I’ve got there, I really do relish the opportunity to help others get over the line – whether that’s assessing manuscripts or polishing things up with a line edit.
In fiction, my taste is on the commercial side. I particularly enjoy ‘reading group’ books, romcoms, comedies (especially dark ones), and anything a bit quirky. For non-fiction, I work right across the spectrum: from memoir to travel writing, sport, music, journalistic narratives, true crime, and anything in between.
What Richard works on
By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Richard.
Perfect for authors with a finished draft
Manuscript assessment
Perfect for authors querying agents
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Perfect for authors querying agents
Post-editorial guidance
Line-editing
Proof-reading
Richard's published books
