services

Whatever we work on together, you can be sure of a friendly, efficient approach and meticulous work ethic.

Editing

Essentially, editing is a process where the copy (the words you want to print or publish) is made ready for publication. It is something that needs to happen before you are ready to determine the layout for the text so that major changes to the text can be made – if required.

Editing will ensure smooth-flowing, accessible and consistent text – without compromising your voice or budget. It takes skill and experience to look at a text with a holistic view, right from the tone of voice to layout for publication. Investing in good, clear communication from the outset will save time and reputation.

There are lots of different kinds of editing, but really the most important thing is that we talk about what you need. The rest you can leave up to me.

editing: the nitty-gritty

ELT editing

I am a specialist English Language Teaching editor with eight years’ in-house experience in OUP’s ELT division and many more years working in a freelance capacity for various publishing houses. I love this job because it combines my passions for education, language learning and books!

I work on both digital and print products predominantly across the Primary and Secondary sectors, but have also worked on products for the adult market too.

I have an excellent reputation for handling all aspects of the editorial process: liaising with authors and artists and writing briefs; preparing schedules; selecting artwork; content and copy editing; studio recordings and proof checking before files go to print.

language polishing

I offer a specialist service for academics preparing papers or theses for submission. I’ve worked on papers from autonomous vehicles to zoology, which makes for fascinating reading. I provide a fresh eye and an objective stance on the language you use and the message you want to convey.

I have extensive experience working with non-native speakers of English who need to polish their academic journal and conference papers. I ensure prose is idiomatic and arguments are lucid and clear so that readers and reviewers can focus on what is important and not be distracted by syntactical or grammatical errors.

proofreading

Errors are embarrassing and can be costly, particularly in terms of reputation. Proofreading your copy before it goes public is good practice to ensure that your communications are clear and people are focused on your message, not your mistakes.

Usually a proofread happens once your copy has been typeset, which means it’s on the page, looking lovely. When I proofread I will be checking that all the details of your material are correct: yes, that means checking spellings and grammar but it also means ironing out other issues – including (but not limited to) illustrations and captions, layout, tables of contents and pagination.

Because the material is usually in a fixed layout at this stage, my proofreading intervention should be minimal. However, I will always flag any queries for you to refer to. It takes skill and experience to know what to change and what to leave alone!

As a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, I abide by their professional standards and code of practice.

ciep: what is proofreading?

copywriting

If you have a vision for your marketing collateral but don’t have time to work on the comms, I can help. I take pride in crafting concise and compelling copy that delivers your message with style and shine.

I always take time to understand exactly what you want to say, to whom you want to say it and why. That way I can transform your ideas into powerful copy that will make an impact.

I write for Ten Stories High – a fantastic Marketing and PR agency based in the Lake District. I’ve written widely diverse copy – from cruise ships to cafés – and love the variety this job affords. If you want material for blogs, social media, websites or brochures or anything else, just get in touch.

'I found Helen extremely helpful, flexible and prompt, and working with her was a real pleasure.'

liz cross Head of Children's Publishing, OUP