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• Who I am
• Services I offer
• Benefits of using a freelance proofreader, editor or writer
• Benefits I offer
• Cost of services
• Equipment and software

Who I am

I am a professionally-qualified and highly-experienced freelance writer, editor and proofreader who offers professional writing and editorial services to publishers and other individuals, companies and organisations. I work on many types of documents and have particular skills in working on technical distance-learning textbooks, study guides, test questions including multiple-choice, true or false, short-answer and case study-style questions, training sessions for delivery by a trainer, magazine reviews and newsletter articles. The subjects in which I specialise are finance, training, English literature and music and I have extensive experience and qualifications in each of these subjects. I also work in many other subject areas and I have a sound and broad general knowledge.

I am an Associate of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP). Also, I have achieved the Maple Diploma in Professional Proofreading and Editing with a merit award in the proofreading element. Prior to this, at Leeds University I achieved a joint B.A. honours degree in English literature and music.

I worked for several years, fulfilling various roles, in the publishing department of a training consultancy. These roles included designing, writing, researching, editing and rewriting, and proofreading material. I also met with clients to determine their needs then undertook project team briefings and managed production of the material through all stages from initial design to dispatch of published material to the client. This material was produced to meet the needs of a wide range of readers, at various levels of financial sophistication, in the financial services industry both in the UK and overseas. I also developed a house style for the publishing department to ensure consistency and high standards in published material. I also wrote articles, including magazine reviews, for the company newsletter.

My financial qualifications include passing several exams to become an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and also passing the Financial Planning Certificate offered by the Chartered Institute of Insurers. I have worked for two major banks managing both personal and business accounts. During this time, I also spent some time in the human resources department where I wrote product training sessions for branch staff, job descriptions and a booklet covering opportunities for women in the workplace. I also contributed to a new appraisal system for staff. I have also worked for a major chartered accountancy firm as an auditor of large public limited companies and passed in-house accountancy tests during this time.

On a personal level, I am conscientious, reliable and tenacious. I take pride in performing a professional job for all of my clients and I offer expertise, flexibility and enthusiasm.

For further details of my career and achievements, visit the Career and Achievements page.

Services I offer

My services to publishers include:

• proofreading
• collating corrections from a number of individuals
• resolving queries at proof stage by liaising with authors and editors
• checking revises

For full details visit the Services to Publishers page.

My services to other individuals, companies and organisations include:

• project management
• writing
• editing and rewriting
• proofreading
• advising on style and layout
• house style development

For full details visit the Services to Others page.

Benefits of using a freelance proofreader, editor or writer

Using a freelance offers the following benefits:

• help during peaks in the work cycle without the expense of a permanent member of staff during the troughs
• in-house staff are freed up for other duties and managers are able to concentrate on the core elements of their role
• access to specialist expertise which may not be available in-house
• high-quality work due to working in a quiet atmosphere away from a possibly noisy office environment
• a fresh pair of eyes from someone who is external to your company

If you are a publisher, you will know in detail the needs which proofreaders, editors and writers fulfill. If you are a non-publisher, visit the Services to Others page for more details.

Benefits I offer

There are several benefits to you if you choose to use me to provide a personal but professional freelance service which is tailored to your individual needs. My experience as a technical writer, editor and proofreader in the busy publishing department of a training consultancy has given me the following knowledge and skills from which you will benefit:

• an extensive knowledge of writing and publishing techniques
• an in-depth knowledge of spelling, grammar and punctuation and an awareness of the evolving nature of the English language
• an understanding of an author's working methods and needs
• the ability to apply restraint and not completely rewrite in my personal style over the author's chosen style
• the ability to understand a client's needs and the target readers and produce appropriate material
• an attention to detail resulting in accurate and well-presented material
• the ability to raise and resolve queries, in a timely, convenient and tactful manner, with clients and with the various members of a publishing department including project managers, writers, editors, desk-top publishers, proofreaders and printers
• good judgement and common sense, for example in deciding when to be flexible in applying house style
• the ability to decide whether or not a change is necessary depending on the costs and delays involved
• good time management and organisational skills, and a methodical approach to work
• the ability to keep to budget and deadlines while maintaining a high-quality output
• a flexible approach to working methods to meet a client's individual needs

My formal qualifications have given me the following knowledge and skills from which you will benefit:

• an in-depth knowledge of proofreading and editing gained through achieving the Maple Diploma in Professional Proofreading and Editing
• a highly-developed understanding of the English language gained through my university degree
• a thorough business background and understanding of the financial services industry gained through becoming an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers with examples of subjects studied including:
• law
• economics
• management
• accountancy
• lending
• the monetary and financial system
• a knowledge of personal financial planning gained through passing the Financial Planning Certificate offered by the Chartered Institute of Insurers

Cost of services

Fees are tailored individually to each job and agreed with you in advance, preferably after I have had a detailed look at the material.

To discuss your requirements further go to the Contact Details page.

Equipment and software

Work is accepted in the following formats:

• Microsoft Word files
• Acrobat PDF files sent by e-mail
• hardcopy produced from author's disks, camera-ready copy, DTP and scanners

I have access to the following equipment:

• mobile phone with answerphone service
• fax machine
• scanner (600x2400 dpi optical, 24-bit colour scan depth)
• PC with dual-layer DVD rewriter
• broadband Internet access (2 mbps download)
• black and white laser printer (2400x600 dpi, 20 ppm)
• black and white photocopier

I have access to the following software:

• MS Windows XP Professional
• MS Office XP, including Word 2002
• Adobe Reader 7.0
• Norton Antivirus 2005