About Writerful Books has been working with authors since 2012, helping them turn early drafts into manuscripts that are ready for readers. Over more than a decade the business has grown from freelance editing work into a full author services company, and it’s now entering its most significant change yet: a move to serve Christian writers exclusively, and to grow into something closer to a publisher in its own right. Where We Started Writerful Books began as a book editing service open to fiction and non-fiction writers of every genre and background. Based between Melbourne and Dublin, and having spent years living and working across Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the US, founder Declan brought a working knowledge of regional dialects and editorial conventions that few single-location editors could match. That international grounding shaped how the business operated for over a decade, working with thousands of writers across several continents on everything from debut novels to self-help manuscripts. Why We’ve Changed Direction Two things have brought Writerful Books to where it is today. The first is the industry itself. AI tools have changed what a writer needs from an editor. A manuscript can now get a competent grammar pass and a line edit from a machine in minutes, something that used to take a human editor days. That’s simply the reality of where publishing sits right now, and pretending otherwise doesn’t serve anyone. What a machine still can’t offer is conviction: an editor who reads a manuscript looking for truth and not just technique, who understands the weight of what a story is trying to say, and who will be honest about whether it’s ready and whether it’s needed at all. The second is personal. Writerful Books is now guided by a Christian faith that has deepened significantly in recent years, including a baptism that marked a real turning point. Read more on Meet the Team. That shift in conviction is why the business is narrowing its focus rather than trying to be all things to all people unlike the Apostle Paul! We’ve also stepped back from chasing the publishing industry’s usual checklist of trends and approval markers. That’s not a criticism of anyone still playing that game. It’s simply that our own standard has become something steadier: is this story honest, is it good, and does it point toward something true. We used to edit every genre. Then we watched the industry choose safety over honesty one too many times. Here’s what changed.. Why We Walked Away from “Woke” Publishing That question now shapes every decision we make about which writers we work with and which projects we take on. What Writerful Books Does Now Writerful Books exists solely to serve Christian writers, working across fiction and Christian self-help. Our services now include: Christian book editing, covering developmental and line editing for fiction and self-help manuscripts. Literary agenting, representing Christian authors as they prepare to query publishers and negotiate contracts. Independent publishing, as Writerful Books builds a small, carefully chosen list of uplifting Christian fiction and non-fiction under its own imprint. A Christian writing and blogging community, offering resources, industry commentary, and author interviews for writers of faith. Christian merchandise, for readers and writers who want to carry their faith into daily life. Who We Work With We take on new writers selectively. If we don’t believe in a manuscript, whether that’s the writing itself or the message it carries, we won’t take it on simply because it can be edited into shape. Our name goes on fewer projects than it once did. We want it to mean more when it does. Where We See Writerful Books Going Christian publishing has always had its major imprints and its established literary agencies, and that isn’t going to change. What we’re building is something more personal: a boutique home for Christian authors who want an editor and agent who reads their work closely enough to actually vouch for it, not a volume-based service processing whatever comes through the door. Over the next few years, we expect Writerful Books to grow from an editing and agenting service into a genuine independent publisher, releasing a small but meaningful list of Christian fiction and self-help titles under its own name, alongside continuing to represent select authors into traditional Christian publishing houses. We’d rather be known within Christian publishing for the quality and integrity of a small list than for the size of a large one. * We are always on the lookout for beta readers, book reviewers and talented writers to submit guest posts. If you would like to join our team and write for us and happen to be a lover of original fiction and ground breaking non-fiction published by independent publishers, feel free to contact us here and tell us more about yourself.. Here’s what our authors had to say.. - Tammy A. Thanks for sending it through. Some great feedback. I'm slowly working through your suggested edits.. - Tammy A.Read Moreread less - Russell T. Thank you for the assessment. I will make some of the changes you suggested and go forward. I don't know if the work is good enough for publishing, either by a commercial publisher or by self-publishing. Do you think I should try to publish it? Thanks for your input. RT - Russell T.Read Moreread less - Liljana F. Thank you so much - this is exactly what I needed to be able to improve my manuscript. Your notes are well-considered, and I believe they'll be tremendously helpful. Now to begin the rewrite...Thanks again, Liljana. - Liljana F.Read Moreread less - Mark P. Thank you for the helpful and detailed feedback! - Mark P.Read Moreread less - Katherine S. Please let the reader know that I'm flattered, and none of your beta readers should ever fear causing offense. I want their honest opinions, besides I'm pretty thick-skinned 🙂 - Katherine S.Read Moreread less - Rob D. I am happy with the advice you have provided, it is practical and identifies real areas on how I can improve it further. Seems I underestimated how “ready” the manuscript is and may explain why there has been a lot of rejection. - Rob D.Read Moreread less - Mark R. Just back from being out of town and opened your beta read at the airport. I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Will be getting into your feedback now and using it to make the book a better read. Sincerely, Mark - Mark R.Read Moreread less - Tony M. I wasn't expecting your email for another couple of weeks. What a pleasant surprise. I've yet to read the reports but I look forward to it. Thanks also for the developmental editing suggestion. Are we talking like a mentoring role? Either way, I might actually take you up on that as I've been looking for such 'guidance'. [...] Anyway, I'll get on to these reports and will be in touch. Oh, and it's still my intention (in the distant future) to seek a manuscript assessment. But, first things first. Thanks very much. Tony. - Tony M.Read Moreread less - Jo V. Thanks so much for arranging this review. I really enjoyed it. I have a bit of distance from the writing now so it’s great to have this feedback and it will fuel my current and future writing. Many thanks! Jo - Jo V.Read Moreread less - Bryce B. Thank you so much for your excellent evaluation. I knew the manuscript had problems but I am so close to the material I did not know what they were. You found the science section interesting so I think I will open with that. the answer to your question about the tea kettle not boiling over is: it does in the form of steam. Did you find any of the Bible information interesting besides the word of God bit? Or am I correct in concluding nothing was interesting or surprising in the Old Testament section and the relevance was not obvious? Thanks, Bryce. - Bryce B.Read Moreread less - Catherine C. Thanks so much Declan. I’m going to make a few modifications now thanks to your suggestions. Great thanks so much! As you say good writing is rewriting, and as I re-read the rest of the manuscript I am struck with how many glaring holes there are and how many (lots!) opportunities for improvement! So, I think I will continue to work on it before I send the rest of it to you. Thanks for the feedback. I felt my writing had improved, so its nice to know I am not delusional. BTW, this is a completely new story, with the previous 2 manuscripts as only back story. Thanks so much. It is a very well written, comprehensive report. I’m very impressed with the quality. There are some helpful suggestions for improvement and the summary of characters and plot is spot on. [...] Thanks again for such an in-depth report, I know that was beyond the realm of a beta read, so I really appreciate it! Catherine Craig. - Catherine C.Read Moreread less - Alarna H. Hello Declan, You’re amazing, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you for such a quick turn around. Kindest, Alarna. - Alarna H.Read Moreread less - Sean C. Thank you so much for your report. And I agree with, say, 95% of it. I always wanted to better describe the technical aspects of the business and I could have written 200,000 - 300,000 words, but I learned as I went along that that was not the route to take. I’m happy now to say hello again to the text and begin to revise it pretty much in the manner you suggest. I must say that it’s the journey of writing the book that is so satisfying – I suspect I will be lost when it’s actually finished (although I have an idea for another one). Good luck with Heart of Darkness, one of my favorites; you’ll easily breeze through it since it’s so short, then think, “what was he actually talking about”? Enjoy! - Sean C.Read Moreread less - Elizabeth S. Thanks very much for this. I will work on the recommendations, especially to speed up/improve the beginning. I’m feeling a little more hopeful about the story overall. Best regards, Elizabeth. - Elizabeth S.Read Moreread less - Grant E. This is a very flattering and super helpful review!! I can’t thank you enough. I just forwarded it two friends writing books, recommending they get in touch with you for beta reads too. - Grant E.Read Moreread less - Alan C. Thanks very much for taking the time to read my story and for your kind comments, highlighting errors and raising points for further consideration. It's all very helpful and reassuring to know there's a story in it, from someone other than my girlfriend. Thanks again. Take care, Alan Corcoran. (Author of Marathon Man) - Alan C.Read Moreread less load more Editing Services Book Editing Services Read More Hire a Book Editor Read More Manuscript Assessments Read More Manuscript Evaluations Read More Latest Posts Why We Walked Away from “Woke” Publishing Read More Easy Tips to Make Your Author Bio Stand Out For Your eBook Read More Mastering Both Worlds: Insights from a Fantasy Author & Ghostwriter Read More Mastering Ensemble Writing: A Guide to Memorable Characters Read More Author Michael Colon on Hard Work, Perseverance, and Believing in the Power of Imagination Read More Award-winning Author, Professor Paul Crawford on His Latest Novel Read More AI-Assisted Writing: A Double-Edged Sword for Authors Read More Leeds Author R.A. Howitt: A Writer’s Triumph Over Adversity Read More Recommended Book Editing Services: Your Secret Weapon Read More Inspire the World: A Christian Writer’s Guide to Writing and Self-Publishing a Book Read More