Since 2000 I have run a professional proofreading and (mainly) copy-editing service, working on multi-author books and monographs, journal papers, reports and dissertations. I have a track record in editing academic writing in humanities and social sciences, often by writers whose first language is not English. I work on screen with the aid of tracking facilities, enabling the client to accept or reject changes.

Small errors and verbal infelicities can distract the reader. I will put right any errors in grammar and spelling, correct repetition, omission, awkward expression and incorrect ordering of headings or illustrations, and query anything that is unclear to me. I will ensure that your document is clear, accurate and ready for use.

Recent clients include Edinburgh University Press, Cambridge University Press (journals), Boydell & Brewer, ECPR Press and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (Glasgow).

I am an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Editing and Proofreading (formerly the Society for Editors and Proofreaders) and observe its code of practice.

Continuing Professional Development

On-Screen Editing 1 and 2, September 2014
Efficient Copy Editing, April 2016
Editing with Word, June 2016
References, June 2018
Proofreading 1, November 2018
Proofreading 2, May 2019

Copy editing your document

Do you need help editing a document in order to produce a polished result? Please send a sample and outline your requirements including:

• The purpose of your document
• The intended readership
• Length
• Deadline
• Brief: see my rates page for levels of edit offered
• Budget
• Whether more material will be added

Editing involves:

• Checking the text for clarity and accuracy
• Checking that the necessary permissions are obtained for illustrations
• Ensuring accuracy of cross-references
• Checking that illustrations are accurate and clear and that captions
   are consistent; cross-checking contents page with headings and
   illustrations in the text, and ensuring that presentation of
   contributors' names and affiliations in multi-author texts is consistent;
   other checks as required
• Identifying anomalies that I cannot resolve and raising them with
   the author/s
• Tracking changes
• Tagging the manuscript or applying styles as required

Please allow up to 24 hours for a quote, and enough time afterwards, before submitting or presenting your document, to review any amendments.

See my rates page for information about charges. Terms and conditions can be found on the contact page.

Copy editing for publishers

I offer a freelance copy editing service to publishers.