Associate Editor
I hold a BA (Hons) in Ancient and Medieval History and an MFA in Creative and Media Writing from Swansea University in Wales. I always wanted to write and edit historical fiction, but I got my start in print journalism as a music and nightlife columnist during university. Color pieces were my specialty; I love writing life, and I bring that love of vibrant detail to my writing and editing. There’s nothing I like more than a scene I can really see, and I would love to help you bring your book to life.
As for history, I completed an internship at BBC History Magazine in 2007, and I continued working for them as a historical tourism contributor throughout my MFA. I am the editor for the popular history blog Dirty, Sexy History, and my first non-fiction history book, Sexuality and its Impact on History: The British Stripped Bare, is coming out this year from Pen & Sword. My award-winning historical romance series, The Southwark Saga, is set in Restoration London. I am confident editing across all periods of history, but I have the most experience with British history (early medieval through early modern) and Europe in the Middle Ages.
I am a member of the Royal Historical Society and the Historical Novel Society. I am also a member of Romance Writers of America, and I have given talks on historical research at chapter meetings. As an avid reader of historical fiction and romance, I love keeping up with the latest releases and discovering new-to-me authors. I’m a big supporter of independent publishing, and I always try to support new authors by providing encouragement and constructive feedback.When I’m not writing or editing, I give costumed historical ghost tours of my city. I make my own costumes, so any time not spent researching a new post for Dirty, Sexy History is usually taken up by sewing or lurking around craft stores. I’m a drummer and have recently started learning to play the bodhrán. I love ceramics, photography, strength training, and spending time with my husband and our rescue cats.
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| Editing with my cat Misty |
Jessica is currently scheduling developmental edits and copyedits for historical fiction and historical romance.
If you're interested in working with Jessica, please submit this form.
Don't wait to contact Jessica! Her schedule is typically filled four months in advance.
“Jessica Cale did a fantastic job editing my work. If you want an editor who will help you bring out the best in your work, Jessica is the one. Friendly and engaging, she really made the editing process painless. Thank you, Jessica!” ~Denise A. Agnew, multi-published author and producer
“Are you a typical pain-in-the-hole creative? Does your inability to understand basic grammar hinder your novels? Have you named three minor characters “Mike,” told yourself you’d change it later and then forgotten about it? If so, you might need JESSICA CALE! In all seriousness, Jess has helped me edit three of my novels now and I never cease to be amazed by her dedication, thoroughness, and uncanny knowledge of this hellscape we call ‘the English language.’ Some editors cut too deep and correct according to their own personal style, some don’t go deep enough, afraid that they’ll offend you. Jess isn’t either of those, she’s helped make my books the best possible version of themselves and will be proofing my novels for the foreseeable future. She’s thorough, talented, and has an incredible understanding of what you were trying to say when you dropped like, five words from a sentence. For my money, Jess is definitely the word surgeon you want operating on your book-brain.” ~Eve Dangerfield, Author
“Working with Jessica made it seamless to have our law firm’s book ready for clients on schedule. Not sure what we would have done without her expertise! We will definitely be using her for our future books!” ~Linda Suzzanne Griffin, P.A.
“It has been my great pleasure to work with Jessica Cale. She brings a great attention to detail to each new project and has elevated many a writer’s work. When she edited my story, I not only felt I had an expert on my side, I felt her passion for the written word. Jessica is honest, trustworthy, and dedicated and I would happily work with her on any new projects.” ~Rosanna Leo, multi-published author
You can see Jessica in The Lost Pirate Kingdom, currently airing on Netflix!
Credentials
Education:
Bachelor of Arts (Honors)
Ancient History and Medieval Studies
University of Wales, Swansea
Master of Fine Arts (Distinction)
Creative and Media Writing
University of Wales, Swansea
S&M Media Training
Cardiff, Wales
Professional Organizations:
Royal Historical Society
Historical Novel Society
Romance Writers of America
Testimonials from Jessica’s clients:
“Jessica Cale did a fantastic job editing my work. If you want an editor who will help you bring out the best in your work, Jessica is the one. Friendly and engaging, she really made the editing process painless. Thank you, Jessica!” ~Denise A. Agnew, multi-published author and producer
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“Are you a typical pain-in-the-hole creative? Does your inability to understand basic grammar hinder your novels? Have you named three minor characters “Mike,” told yourself you’d change it later and then forgotten about it? If so, you might need JESSICA CALE! In all seriousness, Jess has helped me edit three of my novels now and I never cease to be amazed by her dedication, thoroughness, and uncanny knowledge of this hellscape we call ‘the English language.’ Some editors cut too deep and correct according to their own personal style, some don’t go deep enough, afraid that they’ll offend you. Jess isn’t either of those, she’s helped make my books the best possible version of themselves and will be proofing my novels for the foreseeable future. She’s thorough, talented, and has an incredible understanding of what you were trying to say when you dropped like, five words from a sentence. For my money, Jess is definitely the word surgeon you want operating on your book-brain.” ~Eve Dangerfield, Author
***
“Working with Jessica made it seamless to have our law firm’s book ready for clients on schedule. Not sure what we would have done without her expertise! We will definitely be using her for our future books!” ~Linda Suzzanne Griffin, P.A.
***
“It has been my great pleasure to work with Jessica Cale. She brings a great attention to detail to each new project and has elevated many a writer’s work. When she edited my story, I not only felt I had an expert on my side, I felt her passion for the written word. Jessica is honest, trustworthy, and dedicated and I would happily work with her on any new projects.” ~Rosanna Leo, multi-published author