Services

What kind of service are you looking for?

There are many steps from concept to publication. So the first thing is to decide on your needs.

Would you like some advice in thinking your project through?

Are you looking for an experienced writer to develop or adapt existing material?

Perhaps you need editorial assistance to get your document just right, or a fresh pair of eyes before you go to press?


Advice

My publishing experience covers everything from writing and editing books to commissioning authors, editors, and freelance professionals as well as dealing with major international publishers.

During the 20 years I edited the peer-reviewed journal Development in Practice I worked with literally hundreds of authors from many different cultural, linguistic, and professional backgrounds.

Since 2010,  both as Co-Editor of Development Policy Review, and a regular freelance editor for students and staff at the Free University of Amsterdam, and for Transnational Institute, I have built on my professional and publishing experience across a vast range of topics and types of publication. 

Let me help you to think through your project and advise you on the kind of editorial or other assistance you might need. 

 


Writing

An experienced writer on development and humanitarian issues, my published works range from reference books and policy guidelines to academic papers, short articles, reports, and reviews. I have also written and developed modules for a distance-learning MA in Development Studies and been the official rapporteur for various international conferences, including UNRISD.

I can write from scratch, adapt existing materials, and prepare your 'write shops' or conference reports. Please visit my Publications page or Contact me to request a recent sample of my work.


Editing & Translation

The following descriptions set out different levels of editorial assistance.

1 Proofreading

The last step in the editorial cycle, this is a final check of the typesetter’s proofs (or of your final text if it is an informal publication) and includes:

  • Correcting simple errors of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typos
  • Checking headers and footers, and ensuring internal consistency
  • Checking that illustrations are appropriately placed and captioned
  • Collating queries for you to resolve

Proofreading doesn't include re-wording your text or checking facts and figures.

2 Copyediting

This is to improve the flow of your text to ensure that it is clear, concise, and consistent – in other words, that it is written in an appropriate style and that it reads smoothly. In accordance with the client's house style, t includes:

  • Correcting errors and inconsistencies of expression, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary
  • Explaining or replacing jargon, acronyms, foreign phrases, and sexist or otherwise exclusive language
  • Checking simple facts, e.g. names, bibliographical information and URLs
  • Ensuring a sound and consistent structure in terms of headings, lists, illustrations, displayed quotations, notes and references
  • Collating queries for the client or author to resolve

Basic copyediting doesn't include re-writing your text, design & layout, or obtaining permissions.

3 Advanced editing

Over and above copyediting, this includes more editorial intervention such as re-ordering and rewriting short blocks of text in order to clarify your argument. It might also include raising content-related issues, for instance if your argument is factually incorrect or needs to be more nuanced – sometimes I would cite relevant literature to help you think your point through more thoroughly. If your document needs a significant amount of original work perhaps you might commission me to write it.

Translation

Having worked in Central America for many years, I am fluent in Spanish and translate from Spanish (and ‘Spanglish’) into idiomatic English and combine this with the appropriate level of copyediting. I have also worked for over 30 years with a professional bilingual English–Spanish translator, and with experienced translators from English to French and Portuguese. I can vouch for their professionalism. If you need any of our translation services, please use the contact form. 


Rates

Every assignment is unique, and all clients have different needs, so my fee will depend on the length and complexity of the work and how quickly you need it done.

For original writing I will usually agree on a lump-sum fee. For copyediting and advanced editing I generally settle on a daily rate. For translation, I charge a fee per 1000 words of the original document.