BubbleCow was established in 2007 with the simple goal of ‘helping writers to get published’.
At first we just provided professional copy editing services, as well as advice and guidance on the best way to prepare a book proposal. These two services remain a significant part of our business, but the publishing world has changed greatly over the years, and in response to our clients, we have expanded and developed the benefits we can provide to writers.
We now recognise that writers face two very real publishing options. The first is the traditional route of agent/publisher. The second is self-publishing.
We still provide copy editing and book proposal advice, but we now also offer additional services that are designed to help writers, no matter which publishing route they intend to take. We have teamed up with a number of third party companies, including self-publishers, book designers and PR experts, who provide our writers with discounts to these services. In addition, we offer proofreading and even free ebook conversion.
As BubbleCow grows we continue to listen and react to the needs and requirements of writers.
Caroline Smailes
BubbleCow is a family business founded by novelist 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 (In Search Of Adam, Black Boxes and Like Bees to Honey are published by The Friday Project, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Caroline Smailes at BubbleCow mentored and edited two of our authors – Rosalind Wyllie for Everything You Ever Wanted and Nik Jones for 9987 – in a dedicated and thorough fashion that brought each manuscript to a very high standard. Both writers appreciated and enjoyed working with Caroline, and found the experience a valuable boost to their new careers.
Paul Brown, Tonto Books Ltd.
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 a passion for history and 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. Gary has collaborated with a number of independent publishers providing editorial support and advice for both fiction and non-fiction titles. 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 interest and expertise as a military historian expands into his role as an editor and he is always looking to edit, and work closely, with writers of military history.
I have made use of the BubbleCow editing service on several occasions and have always found them to offer a great service. The editing work is always word-perfect and timely and communication is great. I have no hesitation in recommending them.
Clare Christian, former-MD and Publishing Director, The Friday Project.