About Donna Hillyer | Enhance Your Manuscript – Start Editing Today

Photo: Oli Barton

Hi, I’m Donna

I’ve been in book publishing, and the UK, for over 20 years. Originally from West Waterford, Ireland, where I grew up on a small dairy farm, I read English and Philosophy at University College Cork, and have an MA in Publishing from City University, London.

Before shifting to freelance editing, I worked in-house for a decade, for a number of major UK trade publishers: Virgin Books (in the days when it was still owned by Richard Branson); Little, Brown Book Group (Hachette UK); and Harlequin UK. (My surname was Condon at that time.)

I started as an intern across various companies including Random House, Headline, and HarperCollins UK. After my first role as editorial assistant, I rose over time to senior commissioning editor through to editorial director, sitting on the leadership board, which oversaw governance and set the company’s strategic direction. In 2012, I was one of four people shortlisted for the prestigious Kim Scott Walwyn Prize, which recognises creativity, professionalism and ambition in women who have worked in publishing in the UK for up to seven years.

Working with a wide range of publishers, authors, and any clients who have editorial needs, I have edited many bestsellers and award winners. In-house, I published a diverse range across many genres, from Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series of historical romance, now one of Netflix’s most-watched English-language series ever, to JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, breaking her out from genre level in the UK to become a Sunday Times bestselling author.

I understand what it takes to be competitive and stand out from the crowd and am always committed to achieving the best possible results for my clients.

I’m also a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.

Get in touch!

More about me…

In addition to all things books, I’m a big fan of theatre and musicals, and can often be found in the West End. Productions I’ve really enjoyed in the past few months were Guess How Much I love You? by Luke Norris (Royal Court), All My Sons by Arthur Miller (Wyndham’s Theatre) and The Weir by Conor McPherson (Harold Pinter Theatre).

In contrast to the hectic energy of central London, you’ll also often find me on a hiking trail with a local Ramblers group in Hertfordshire, or up a mountain. I’ve scaled three of the UK and Ireland’s tallest peaks (Ben Nevis, Carrauntoohil and Snowdon); Scafell Pike is on the list when we next visit the lakes. I’ve completed three (jogged!) marathons, too (Edinburgh, Dingle and London); safe to say I enjoy a personal mission!

I’m currently learning to swim, which is a different kind of (but very definite!) challenge for me. I very much live by the ethos that it’s never too late, and encourage authors to think this way about their writing, too; there’s no time like the present.

I love to travel with my family; the next destinations on the horizon are Poland and Lake Garda, Italy. Favourite type of holiday? Give me snow and a cosy fire over heat and sunbathing any day!

I enjoy singing, and especially love Irish folk and the storytelling within that.