“So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s a great balancing act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed).”
Dr. Seuss, “Oh The Places You’ll Go.”
Hi, I’m Mary Cummings.
I’m a highly experienced developmental editor, copyeditor, and writing coach with publishing experience.
I work with academics, coaches, consultants, business owners, and entrepreneurs who are serious about publishing a brilliantly written, engaging non-fiction book that hits the spot for their target readers.
My writing career began in 1995, writing corporate marketing presentations for an Investment Bank.
The material itself was yawn-inducing corporatese, but I thoroughly enjoyed researching and crafting each presentation with, what was at least considered at the time, a degree of autonomy. This probably influenced my next career move, as in 2005, I became a freelance journalist writing for trade publications in print and online.
Journalism kept me on my toes, instilling excellent communication skills, meticulous research, lively conversational interviews, and of course, the ability to deliver. Fast.
“Mary is a dedicated professional and super editor, with a wealth of knowledge of the industry. It has been a pleasure to work with her.” Deborah Durbin, award-winning author, investigative journalist and columnist.
“Mary is a fantastic editor to work with. She’s professional, encouraging, inspirational and full of ideas.” Kate Lassetter, Copywriter and Social Media Marketing Consultant.
A Journalist will end up either writing a book or launching a magazine. I launched a magazine.
“Work Your Way” was a quarterly print magazine, aimed at freelance, self-employed and entrepreneurial mums. The magazine and community won me recognition from former Mayor of London, Mr. Boris Johnson for in his words:
“forging new relationships, sparking ideas and providing advice in an easy, accessible way.”
In 2012, I was approached by Lorraine Allman, to contribute to her influential first edition, “Enterprising Child – Developing your child’s entrepreneurial potential.”
“Enterprising Child” (now “Can-Do Child”) consistently achieved ‘best-selling’ status in its genre.
I realised this was an excellent opportunity to support other business owners in their writing and publishing goals, and the rest, as they say, is history. My career as an editor, collaborator and writing coach was born.
I have since edited scores of manuscripts, and coached writers to mainstream and self-publishing success.
My expertise has been featured in The Telegraph, Sage Advice UK, Talk Business, The Small Business Blog, and on BBC Radio 5.
I’m a member of The Society of Authors, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.
Please browse my website to find out how we can work together, or contact me to discuss your project.