Sarah Cole

Professor. Publisher. Coach.

A female professor with long brown hair and fair skin in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books by Chambers and Teach Yourself.

  • “Sarah Cole is equal parts publisher, editor, educator, scholar, strategist, and alchemist…She knows how to apply her extensive experience to the narratives, sensibilities, and technologies of tomorrow…She is, earnestly, one of the sharpest, most scintillating minds in the industry, and I count myself fortunate to have built books with her in my corner.”

    — Jess Zafarris, Author of Words from Hell and Useless Etymology.

  • “Sarah was everything a writer might hope for in a publisher-editor: someone that helps bring the book you dreamt of to the shelves. Kind, brilliant, generous, thoughtful, witty, always ready with clear guidance, and passionately, powerfully behind the project. I will be eternally grateful that I got to work with her.”

    — Ben Crystal, Co-Author of Everyday Shakespeare

  • What does an author want from a publisher (apart from a contract!)? A genuine sense of partnership, regular communication, expert guidance on editing and marketing - and in the case of Everyday Shakespeare fruitful and constructive ideas about the tricky page design and choice of cover. Sarah provided all this and more. Her contribution to the success of our book was beyond measure, and I feel very lucky that I ended up in such capable hands.

    David Crystal, OBE, Co-Author of Everyday Shakespeare

  • "Working with Sarah has been an incredible gift…She has strong connections, a clear understanding of the many interdependencies in publishing, and a nuanced grasp of the pros and cons between self-publishing and traditional publishing…Sarah is warm, approachable, and generous.

    — Whitney Otto, Co-Author of Body Image Inside Out

  • Sarah is everything you could wish for in an editor and publishing professional.  She knows about language, learning, teaching and how to wrap everything up into a successful publication. She gets it! Full of great ideas, she helps get the best out of you as an author. And what’s more, she’s wonderful to work with: pleasant, supportive and generous, always going the extra mile.  In short, you couldn’t ask for a better editor and a nicer person to work with.

    Jeanne McCarten, Co-Author of Viewpoint & Touchstone, Cambridge University Press

  • It has always been a pleasure working with Sarah in bringing my books from initial ideas to the final product. Professionalism, warmth, good humour and calm efficiency - Sarah possesses them all in abundance.

    Michael McCarthy, Author of McCarthy’s Field Guide to Grammar, Chambers

  • Her editorial expertise is unparalleled— and her strategic guidance and judgment invaluable. Her mindfulness of our audience, insightful feedback, and exceptional eye for detail – as well as having the ability to calmly steer the project through tight deadlines, has made Sarah our editor of choice. We are thrilled to be collaborating with her as series editor on our latest project and continue to place the utmost trust in her editorial judgment and skills.

    Helen Sandiford, Co-Author of The Fluency Formula, Teach Yourself

  • “Sarah is the perfect combination of coach, expert, mentor and friend…she was by our side, guiding us every step of the way. She has such a wide breadth of knowledge of the publishing world and a huge passion for each project she works on…Truly, we couldn't have done it without her and anyone she collaborates with is deeply fortunate and will be forever changed. ”

    — Deb Schachter, Co-Author of Body Image Inside Out

My Services

For Authors

As a book coach, I help you navigate both traditional and independent publishing routes.

For Publishers

I provide training for freelance publishing professionals and in-house publishing teams. I also provide consultancy and commissioning for small publishers and imprints.

For Freelance Editors & Writers

I believe that freelance editors and work-for-hire writers need support in the same way authors do when it comes to advocating for their work and negotiating contracts and payments. I can be your advocate and agent so you can focus on your creative work.