The Adventure Begins…
Welcome to NOVEL ADVENTURE EDITORIAL and a literary journey where every page turn is a step toward a brighter, bolder narrative future.
Our mission is to empower every author, guiding them on a journey to unlock the limitless potential of imagination and narrative.
NOVEL ADVENTURE EDITORIAL was started in 2024 by Sorcha Gunne (she/her) because supporting today’s writers to publish novels that captivate and inspire is profoundly important.
Sorcha has a PhD in English and Comparative Literary Studies and over ten years of experience researching and teaching literature.
Most readers want from a book what drivers want from a car - they want to get in, start the engine, and go on a journey. Sorcha is more like a mechanic. She is curious about the nuts and bolts of what makes a captivating and inspiring story tick in order to take readers on that journey. An ideal approach to developmental editing because it’s all about insightful analysis in the service of authors.
She founded NOVEL ADVENTURE EDITORIAL on the principles that stories have the magical ability to spark positive change in our world, and writing is one of life’s greatest adventures. Read more about her personal journey below.
Drawing on Sorcha’s literary expertise and experience, NOVEL ADVENTURE EDITORIAL works collaboratively with authors to enhance their knowledge of both narrative conventions and literary and cultural theories – for example, writing craft and intersectional feminism – which gives space for ideas to flourish into well-crafted, socially conscious novels.
Sorcha’s Story
Pronouns she/her
Education
PhD in English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick, UK.
MA in Narrative and Modernity, Maynooth University, Ireland.
BA (Hons.) English Literature & Anthropology, Maynooth University.
Training and Memberships
Member, Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).
Associate Fellow, Higher Education Authority, UK.
Developmental Editing: Fiction Theory, Liminal Pages.
Developmental Editing: In Practice, Liminal Pages.
Authenticity Reading: What it is and why editors should care, EFA.
Developmental Editing of Fiction: Strategies for stepping back to see the big picture, EFA.
The Art of Feedback, EFA.
Sorcha grew up in the coastal town of Sligo in the west of Ireland. From an early age, her passion for reading was evident. At 10 years old, she set off on her summer holiday with little else in her suitcase except books – one book for every day of the holiday.
Sorcha's enthusiasm for reading ignited a spark and she became increasing convinced that books had the power to transform lives, to open doors to new worlds, and to reveal profound truths about society, history, and the human experience.
As she grew older, she became determined to turn this passion into a career. She pursued her dreams of higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English Literature and Anthropology from Maynooth University.
Taking her adventures to the southern hemisphere, Sorcha lived, worked, and explored before returning to the northern hemisphere to pursue a PhD in English and Comparative Literary Studies from Warwick University in the UK, a goal she achieved in 2010.
During her time at Warwick, a new passion blossomed – teaching. Driven by her belief that complex concepts can and should be made accessible, Sorcha's teaching approach was built on inspiring and energizing her students. She not only imparted technical knowledge but also instilled the confidence to become skilled and enthusiastic literary critics.
With over a decade of teaching experience, she has taught literature and theory – including postcolonial theory, feminism and gender theory, and cultural theory – at the Universities of Warwick and Lincoln in the UK, as well as the National University of Ireland, Galway. She has delivered guest lectures and workshops at universities in the US, Canada, Germany, Austria, Spain, Norway, the UK and Ireland.
Beyond the classroom, Sorcha made significant contributions to academic literature, authoring and editing books and journal articles in literary criticism. Her focus on postcolonial and gender studies challenged conventional norms and contributed to the evolving landscape of literary criticism. Sorcha's dedication and excellence in her field were recognized when she received several academic awards, including the Times Higher Education award for excellence and innovation in the arts in 2012.
In 2024, a new chapter began. Drawing on her deep-rooted passion for literature, her extensive academic journey, and her commitment to inspiring others, she founded NOVEL ADVENTURE EDITORIAL. This developmental editing service was born out of a realization that there were numerous authors out there, like her, who believed books have the power to positively impact the world and were driven to write them.
Today, Sorcha lives in Oslo, Norway, with her partner and two young children. When she's not engrossed in a good book or reading with her children, you'll most likely find her swimming in the fjords, exploring forest trails on hikes, and embracing the adventures that life has to offer.