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.. - Tore H. Thank you for your kind words. Actually, I had expected much harsher feedback, as I've mulled the sorry over in my mind after I sent it to you and come up with a number of scenes / ideas I felt were bad or even cringe worthy. Also, of the 6-7 friends I have asked to beta read, none seem to have bothered to read past page 30ish. - Tore H.Read Moreread less - Alessandro S. Thanks so much for the essay and the editing, it's all very encouraging and it has gotten me back into self-editing at full speed! [...] Sorry for babbling a bit, but I felt inspired! Thanks again for this, and by all means feel free to ask anything you like. If you or the reader want to talk about it face-to-face (digitally so to speak) I am also very open to it, I don't have much opportunity to speak about my writing with people in the industry so it would be a great experience for me to chat about it. Kind Regards, Alessandro. - Alessandro S.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 - 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 - Mark P. Thank you for the helpful and detailed feedback! - Mark P.Read Moreread less - Michael P. I received your report and took a gander. I’ll have more time later tonight to read it in detail. [...] Generally speaking, you highlighted exactly what I expected (not a bad thing). I knew going into this project that it would be a challenge staying “in the moment” i.e., biblical times/language. It has been fun. The protagonist’s journey – that’s what it’s all about. I’ll be in touch. Thank you. Michael. - Michael P.Read Moreread less - Vanessa R. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. Your report is so thorough and encouraging. I will write more on the weekend when I’m not so tired — a new school year has started here and I’m a teacher and my mind is already fried. - Vanessa R.Read Moreread less - Philip K. Hello Declan – I have been through your further assessment, thanks for those insights I can certainly work with those and will follow up on the contacts you suggest asap. I’m pleased to report that after many months of research and writing I have finally been able, this week, to self publish on Amazon the novel named “Treaty or Treason”! A close call with Penguin Ireland sadly didn’t work out for traditional publication. I would like to pass on particular thanks to Declan at Writerful Books (Dublin and Melbourne) who assessed the manuscript and helped me with many comments and kept me trudging or swimming on. Some famous author once commented that writing a book is like swimming the English Channel, you don’t know where you are, don’t know how far you have come or how far it is to go, but you have to keep swimming! Couldn’t agree more. Philip Kerrigan. - Philip K.Read Moreread less - David J. Thanks for that, your reviewer made some pretty encouraging comments and I can see the sense in the bits they criticised. I've made notes of a few things I'm going to modify or even remove. I hope you are also well. Kind regards, David. - David J.Read Moreread less - Sarah W. Thank you very much for this, I appreciate your feedback and advice. Thanks again, Sarah. - Sarah W.Read Moreread less - Lhexa D. Thanks for the report. This novella was based on my adolescent understanding of Catholicism and American slavery, so the parallels are deliberate. I won't change dialogue, since it's meant to reflect indoctrination, but I will change the pertinent prose. I will also follow up on some of the other suggestions. Thanks, you've been very helpful. Lhexa - Lhexa D.Read Moreread less - Luke J. Thanks for your time! I really appreciate the feedback and your willingness to slog through. I’m going to spend some time ruminating on your observations and hit it with an overhaul. Thanks again! - Luke J.Read Moreread less - Phil P. Thanks for the detailed report and the prompt turnaround. I don't have any questions about the report - it's all pretty clear. I appreciate the great feedback. Thanks, Phil Preckler. - Phil P.Read Moreread less - Patricia L. I took a quick read of the report yesterday and will focus in today. It appears I have a lot of work to do to create a book people will buy. Appreciate the honesty. Patricia - Patricia L.Read Moreread less Thanks for the good advice. I’ll keep working on it. Read Moreread less - Margaret D. To cut a long story short. Could you improve the story and if so what would it cost me to do so. I'm thinking that a bit of tweaking will help the story tremendously. Margaret - Margaret D.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