Differences between UK and US readers and how books are edited in the two countries:

From an article in the London Sunday Times about the differences between UK and US readers and how books are edited in the two countries:

'American publishers assume their readers are very literal-minded and orthodox. It's the attitude that there should be no loose ends. Well, I think the British rather like loose ends. We like things to be untidy and suggestive and peculiar and unsettling in a way they absolutely don't.'

Bill Hamilton of the A M Heath literary agency

'Ten years ago people would say that American editors tightened up a book and that British editors were lazy. I don't believe that any more. I think the Americans often over-edit because they feel they have to show their influence on every page. English editors have the confidence to say they don't need to do much because the author has got it right.'

Carole Blake of the Blake Friedmann literacy agency

But not everyone agrees with this, as is shown by this comment on a client's book:

'There's no doubt the American edition is better. I felt the English editor let it go through.'

Clare Alexander of the Gillon Aitken agency