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Give your text the polish it deserves to make it shine!

Do you know what you want to say, but sometimes it doesn’t sound quite right? Or maybe you’ve got so bogged down in creating it that you can’t see the sense for the words.

Getting your text just as you want it can be tricky for anyone, and even more so if English isn’t your first language. I have over 15 years’ experience working with businesses, publishers and individuals.

Let’s make sure you’re saying exactly what you want in the way you want, including website text, blog posts, reports and training materials. I can work with you to create text from scratch, tweak what you have or just provide that extra pair of eyes to give your finished text a final once-over.


COPYWRITING

Let’s get going…

You need text from scratch or new text from a variety of sources



COPYEDITING

Well on the way…

Your text is basically there, but maybe just needs a bit of a polish to liven it up



PROOFREADING

The final push!

Your text is ready, but you need a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ to give it a once-over


Whether you’ve prepared a few notes and bullet points that need pulling together, have something rough that could do with some tweaking or feel you’re pretty much ready to go and need another pair of eyes, I’m here to help.

About Me



I love working for myself – I’ve been doing it for more than 15 years. I enjoy working with words and the English language – I’ve been using that for considerably longer.


I’m a keen traveller and happy to set up my laptop anywhere – a good view and a cup of tea are always inspiring!


Before going it alone, I started my career in sports event management before moving into sports communications, working with UK Sport’s Performance programme.

I’ve spread my net wider since then, but still keep my hand in with the sports world with an annual stint at Wimbledon, subediting the programme and website at The Championships.

I’ve helped a variety of clients over time – publishers, individuals, charities, public sector organisations and businesses – covering a range of subjects from travel and aviation, childcare and early education, local government, corporate training and even medieval history and supernatural fiction.

I’ll help you to produce clear and simple text and polish what you already have  to make it shine, whether you’re starting from scratch or adding that final flourish.

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Copyediting

Your text is basically there, but needs a polish! Maybe it’s too long or too technical and needs to be more concise.

Maybe it just needs a bit of pizzazz or was written for the boardroom and now needs refocusing for the customer.


I’ll take your original text and rewrite and tweak where necessary.


It’s also a really useful service if English isn’t your first language – I can give your text a truly idiomatic feel.

I’ll work closely with you to understand, for example, the tone you want to get across and any parts you wish to emphasise, and will take your original text and rewrite and tweak where necessary.

It’s also possible to combine text from more than one source, just let me know and I can advise.

If you need writing from scratch, you need copywriting. If your text is complete, you need proofreading.


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Copywriting

You need words from scratch or new text from a variety of source documents.

I’ll take your notes and ideas and help you to create the text you need.


I’ll work with you to ensure you’re saying exactly what you want in the way you want to say it.


Once we’ve had a chance to chat through your project, I’ll create an initial outline and then give you regular updates so that you can add suggestions and make changes as you need at any point along the way.

I’ll stick to your style guide if you have one, or use a default if not – or even create one for you as I go along.

Whether it’s new web copy you need, corporate literature or training and advice documents, I’ll work with you to ensure you’re saying exactly what you want in the way you want to say it.

If your text is complete, you need proofreading. If it needs editing and alteration, you need copyediting.


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Proofreading

Your copy is ready to go, but you need a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ to give it a final once-over.

I won’t just check for the obvious issues in spelling and grammar, but for consistent style, headings, use of capitals etc.


I’ll look at everything that goes to make up the whole look, feel and readability of your text.


I’ll proof to your house style if you have one, or a default if not. I’ll check all fonts and spacing, numbering, paragraphs, margins, layout, links and everything else that goes to make up the whole look, feel and readability of your text.

Feel free to specify how you wish me to work, for instance with tracked changes or marking up a PDF. I’ll also compile full notes where necessary and detail any queries that may arise.

If your text is not yet as you’d like it, or you need to combine documents into one or change it for a different audience, you need copyediting. If you’d like text written from scratch see copywriting.


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