Jayne! Happy to report that The Unseen is the Winner of the NYC Big Book Award for 2020 in the Crime Fiction category, yay! 

You can click this link and scroll to see my book listed: 

2020 WINNERS: 

https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners

Thank you for your careful editing support of this book, I couldn't have done this without your expertise, patience, kindness, and care. Many blessings and with gratitude, 

Lisa

"Recently I had the great pleasure of working on a book on the wildlife of South Africa’s Bushveld region, which was published in 2008.This book, published by Southbound, an imprint of 30 Degrees South, is an all-encompassing reference material for the nature and history of one of South Africa’s most diverse biomes, the Savannah. The editing of such a tome is surely a momentous task and certainly not one to be envied with Latin names, scientific detail, historical anecdotes and more than 700 pages.Enter Jayne Southern.This amazing lady, with the patience of a saint, managed to translate my knowledge and poor English into an excellent read, which flows in a way I did not think would be possible. Her access to experts for advice in all fields also assisted to build this reference book into a respected guide for use in the region, and even become recommended reading for the Field Guides Association of South Africa. (Jayne’s subtly inserted jokes, in bright green, were often so good that I felt guilty erasing them, but they certainly motivated me to carry on!) With a text that made sense, the publishers could build my work into the photographic guide that it is today: the great layout, wonderful cover design and quality reproduction now have text one can read with ease." - Lee Gutteridge, author. (South Africa)

‘...I wouldn't have had three books in the world, nor met and known you and enjoyed your friendship and enthusiasm for story. Thank you for being in my life.

As a reader and writer, and understanding both, YOU GET IT, honey.’ - Donna D. Vitucci , author of In Euphoria, At Bobby Trivette's Grave, Salt of Patriots. (USA)

"Dear Jayne, I’m writing to return Kev the Vampire to you. Apologies for the delay.  I just had a quick scan at your comments and I’m amazed, as always, by the keenness of your eye and the breadth of your vision. Quite a contrast to my editor for the 'Guide to the XXX' at work, whose feedback on my first draft was a succinct 'Looks OK. Needs fewer words and more pictures.' Once I sat down to the editing, it didn’t take very long. Thanks, in no small part, to the quality of your edits!" -Phillip Donnelly. author of The Ministry Fox and Kev, The Vampire (Hong Kong)

"I love your editing style! You have a charming way of explaining why a chapter is, essentially, crap. You are on such familiar terms with my characters that I know I had better take note when you say things like “Kitty would never say that.” Your command of the English language is daunting. I try very hard now, not to use words like “get” and “put” inappropriately. Thank you for your interest and your constant encouragement. After all your hard work, I am feeling guilty that I have delayed so long on the rewriting of Love Revenge and Royal Jelly. - Ronnie Whitaker, author of  How to kill your husband, published by New Africa Books (South Africa)

"I wish to thank ... ... ... and Jayne Southern, my editor, who forced me to really look at how I write." - Moro, author of Record. (Italy)

"Jayne Southern, or as I like to call her, 'My Brilliant Editor,' is as fine an editor as I’ve worked with, and I have eight published novels. Writers are the creative force behind a novel, but a good editor is the one who shapes the novel into a quality piece of coherent reading. The work Jayne did on my novel, The Pool Boy’s Beatitude, I feel “shaped” the story into the best writing I’ve ever produced. If you’re looking for an editor to move your novel forward, and with quality, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jayne Southern." – DJ Swykert, author of The Pool Boy's Beatitude (USA)

"... Jayne Southern mixed the attention to detail of an excellent editor with the sense of humour of a mensch to take the manuscript to another level.   ..." - Barbara Schreiner, author of The Travels & Travails of Stella Bellamy. (South Africa and Germany)

“Jayne and I have worked together for ten years. She is hands down the best editor I’ve ever had. Passionate, caring, thorough, and committed, with a fabulous sense of humour.”

Cat Connor, author of the Byte Series (New Zealand)

"Jayne not only gave me a chance to publish my book but was my guide, tutor and patient editor on my way to polishing my work. Without her support, you would have no chance to experience Mistress of Crystals. Thank you, Jayne."

-Justyna Plichta-Jendzio, author of Mistress of Crystals (Poland)

"Thank you for your patience with me over the editing process, I’ve looked back at the original I submitted and it’s a heck of an improvement.  I can’t believe I was pleased with it!" - Andrew Richardson, author of The King's Footholder, The Door into War, The Faerie Wife of Annwyn. (UK)