About Us: The Editors at Cat and Quill

Shirin Sheppard

Hello, I'm Shirin, one of the founders of Cat and Quill. I'm a professionally trained editor with a unique spin of hailing from a scientific background. As such, I have a unique skill set that's particularly well-suited for science fiction manuscripts. I also love working with fantasy and nonfiction, especially with texts relating in any way to science and nature.

One of my biggest editing strengths is world-building, where I aim to help my writers create fantastical worlds that are magical, but also believable, and grounded where they need to be. I love character-driven stories featuring flawed people who are hard to love, and I especially enjoy anything that features alien or fantastical creatures. A new spin on dragons is always a plus!

In addition to editing, I'm Cat and Quill's resident illustrator. I've worked as an illustrator and artist for over ten years with a specialism in fantasy artwork and creature design. When I'm not editing or illustrating for others, I'm working on my own series of fantasy novels and art books, which absorbs much of my free time!

Jens Wesslen

Hello, my name is Jens. I specialise in fantasy and horror manuscripts but edit all genres. I particularly enjoy working with clients to enhance the character development and themes of their novels.

As well as an editor, I am a published author of dark fantasy and horror short fiction, and while I also love reading tales featuring vampires or not-so-friendly neighbourhood cryptids, you might also catch me poring over classics, literary fiction, or romance.

Like my reading, I have diverse interests, with an academic background in Creative Writing, Liberal Arts, and Horticulture. However, the one thing that has been consistent throughout the years is my love of storytelling, and I’ll always enjoy breaking narratives down to figure out what makes them tick.

But this is your journey. No one is more dedicated to a story than its writer. As an editor, I try to make it a close second by supporting you through this stage of your story and helping you turn it into the best version of itself.