Rali Editorial
Refining Stories, Elevating Voices
Tickets now available for: The Road to Publication Workshop 20th July, 2025,
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About me
I am Rali Chorbadzhiyska, a freelance editor working with independent and corporate publishers as well as authors to provide expert, tailored editorial support. With previous in-house experience at Penguin Random House, Faber and Canongate, I bring a collaborative, creative approach and a deep understanding of the publishing process. Drawing on my passion for storytelling, I guide writers to refine and elevate their work, enhancing clarity, structure and the overall impact of the text. My greatest reward is seeing my clients succeed and in 2025, I was honoured to receive a Rising Star Award from The Printing Charity in recognition of my work.
Services
I am excited about working together, here are some ways in which
I can help you bring your creative project to life:
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For Authors
I work with early career, established, self-published and traditionally published authors to provide editorial guidance on granular and big-picture levels. Get in touch to discuss your project's needs from book coaching, manuscript assessment or structural editing to a one-off consultation or proofreading.
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For Publishers
I work with independent and corporate publishers as a freelance editor, copyeditor and proofreader, using my attention to detail and strive for excellence in supporting their projects as part of the editorial process and according to critical path timelines. My expertise is in fiction, be it literary or commercial, and narrative non-fiction such as memoir, essays or travel writing.
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Other Collaborators
I love reading and sharing my passion for books with others. As part of supporting authors, I organise and chair literary events. I also read for short story competitions, mentor publishing hopefuls and participate in industry talks and panel discussions. Have a creative idea? Get in touch to see if we can collaborate.
Testimonials
I’m proud to support publishers and writers in crafting work that stands the test of time.
‘Rali’s editorial expertise has been tremendously helpful for my latest novel manuscript. She spent time with the work to understand what it was trying to communicate, and helped make it so much sharper and stronger’
Farah Ali, author of Telegraphy and Wasafiri Reviews Editor
‘I had the enormous fortune to work with Rali on the publication of my debut novel, Monumenta. She has an instinctive talent for editing, allowing the writing on the sentence level to have its own life while ensuring the story stays on track’
Lara Haworth, author of Monumenta
‘Rali is incredibly organised, detail-oriented and always thorough. Her passion for writing shines through in her remarkable ability to maintain clarity and precision’
Ayobami Adebayo, 2025 Booker Prize Judge and author of Stay With Me and A Spell of Good Things
‘Rali is hard-working, reliable and organised. She brings huge energy and enthusiasm to everything she works on, and is tenacious in finding the correct answer to any given question’
Leila Cruickshank, Managing Editor at Canongate Books
My Values
I help to create legacy for publishers and authors through bringing their projects to the world and I’m rewarded when I’ve contributed to that long-lasting creative work.
Integrity
A conscious and conscientious guide
Excellence
A constructive motivator
I value honesty and loyalty as part of my integrity. You will find that I am constructively straightforward while remaining understanding and empathetic towards the creative process. I am here to listen to you and help you on your journey, which can include putting you forward for new opportunities as part of my drive to nurture long-lasting working relationships and create a long-term cultural impact. My sense of fulfilment comes from knowing I have provided the best support for your needs possible.
I am driven by a strive for excellence in what I deliver and in what I help others achieve. My academic experience includes a BA in English from KCL and an MA in Publishing from UCL, where I was recipient of the David Tebbutt Scholarship. I have previously worked at Penguin Random House (Rights), Faber (Poetry Editorial) and at Canongate (Fiction and narrative Non-Fiction Editorial). I have Publishing Scotland certificates for Copyediting and Proofreading, and I am continuously seeking opportunities to elevate my skills so I can effectively empower others. In 2025, I was honoured to receive a Rising Star Award from The Printing Charity in recognition of my work.
Curiosity
A resourceful supporter
I believe that curiosity is key to expanding one's view of the world and expertise. I read widely because for me, to be a good editor (and writer) starts with being a skilled reader. I am convinced that respect for different cultures and creative projects lies in being curious and open-minded. Curiosity for me fosters empathy and connection, it brings meaning to the human experience and is one of my strongest values that helps me succeed in understanding the needs of various projects and creators, and deliver tailored guidance.
Optimism
A vibrant, energetic collaborator
Optimism is an inseparable part of my personality and I bring it to work and play equally. Being optimistic has helped me retain gratitude and resilience on my professional and personal journeys, and I am happiest when able to pass the positive energy on to people around me. To explore the fun in work, I have created @Reading.Rali on Instagram and Tik Tok. Did I also mention I used to teach Latin dancing? Dance has always been my own creative outlet and I have dedicated years to various styles such as hip-hop, contemporary and most recently, bachata (@Dancing.Rali, to save you the Googling).