hey.
i'm rachel kenny
non-fiction talent scout, editor and publishing consultant
I'm an award-winning freelance non-fiction editor, and talent scout for literary agents and publishers.
I have multiple bestsellers under my belt from 10 years experience working in-house. Now I live and work by the sea in sunny Margate with my husband, and our two boys.
A former Bookseller Rising Star and Star Buyer, I also headed up the non-fiction list at HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins, from its launch in 2016 through to 2020.
In that time, HQ was shortlisted for Imprint of the Year in 2019 and BOSH!, one of my first acquisitions for the list, became a Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller, the biggest-selling vegan cookbook of all time and won Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year at the Nibbies.
I've also been lucky enough to work with a whole array of wonderful authors including Jane Fonda, anti-racism advocate Sophie Williams, ELLE UK Editor-in-Chief Kenya Hunt, period poverty activist Amika George, superstar influencer Patricia Bright, founder of the Positive Birth Movement Milli Hill, actress and TIME's Person of the Year Rose McGowan, Olympian Tom Daley, chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine, poet Charly Cox, award-winning journalist Daisy Buchanan and psychotherapist-to-the-stars Owen O'Kane to name just a few.
I particularly enjoy working with passionate experts, creative thinkers and inspirational voices across a range of fields including food, psychology, neuroscience, personal development, performance and success, leadership, fitness, the environment and parenting.
Anyone, in fact, with a fresh perspective and original voice who enjoys creating positive change and living well.
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I'm thrilled to have freelanced for some great publishers and literary agencies like these
I'm one of 18 "titans of the writing, publishing and book-marketing world" (a.k.a. The Masters) in Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author and Book Writing Super Coach Michael Heppell's Write That Book Masterclass
Check out my interview with Michael:
Want to know a bit more about why I went freelance? Read on...
Until August 2020 I was Editorial Director at HarperCollins Publishers, one of the biggest publishing houses in the world.
But caring for a then 1-year-old who woke five times a night* during the first lockdown (the one where all the nurseries shut) while working from home I found really hard. I felt like I was failing at being a mum and at my job. My little boy needed me and I was trying to get books over the line, which - quite honestly - felt very unimportant when we were experiencing a global pandemic, and he was so little. I was wracked with guilt about how much time we had to stick him in front of the TV so we could take meetings and send emails.
I realised if I was going to be the mother I wanted to be, and do good work too - something that’s always been important to me - without losing my sanity or too much sleep, I needed to make a big change.
I handed in my resignation and even though I had no idea about what I was going to do next, it was the only decision I'd felt at peace with for months.
I've been freelancing ever since and it's very hard to imagine a better job. I am privileged to work with some amazing people on inspiring projects - while still being able to spend plenty of time with my boys and my husband.
*if this is you: solidarity. It does get better, I promise
Some nice things people have said
"I just wanted to let you know what has happened because you were such an integral part of this journey.
My submission went to 10 different publishers on [date] and Catherine heard back from 5 of them the same day expressing interest! My manuscript went to auction! There was a bidding war! With 3 out of the big 5.
Thank you so much for all your help Rachel. You have been wonderful. I truly am grateful for your support. So glad I found you."
Nova Gibson, author of Australia's biggest-selling practical self-help book of 2023 Fake Love
"As soon as I met Rachel, I knew she was the editor I wanted to work with.
She was informed, enthusiastic and warm - she felt like a safe pair of hands to guide me through the process of writing and releasing my first book. She literally made it impossible for me to consider going with anyone else!
Rachel was always available when I needed her, and helped to demystify what can be a confusing process for first time writers."
Sophie Williams, author of Anti-Racist Ally, Millennial Black and The Glass Cliff
"Early last year you gave me some brilliant feedback about my book ‘Wild Egg’. You invited me to think about turning my then memoir into a novel, and fictionalising my story. I just wanted to let you know I took your advice … and you were so right! I am now a few weeks away from publishing with a women’s imprint called The Unbound Press."
Jennifer Flint, author of Wild Egg