I love working with words (and the people who write them!) to create high-quality documents that give an excellent impression of their author. I aim to make sure your text is well written, clear and appropriate for your readers. I’m based in the Peak District in England, but I work with people and organisations across the UK and in other countries.
I have over 15 years of experience, and I’ve worked with companies, charities, public-sector organisations, students, marketing and translation agencies and freelance writers.
Materials I can help with
I edit and proofread a wide variety of non-fiction documents – anything that can be improved with the help of an editorial eye. For example:
- Company reports
- CVs
- Guidance notes
- Instructions
- Journal articles
- Marketing materials
- Public information
- School reports
- PhD theses and dissertations
- Translated documents
- Website copy
Skills
- Copy-editing
- Proofreading
- Plain-English editing
- Website editing
Experience
I’ve worked as a copy-editor and proofreader since 2004, with specific experience in plain English, academic documents and marketing communications in the not-for-profit sector. I’ve proofread academic documents for students and lecturers at UK universities and I’ve written and copy-edited website text, newsletters and marketing materials. I’ve also taught English as a foreign language in Russia and China.
Helping to train others
I have co-written the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) online course Plain English for Editors, and I am a tutor on the course. Alongside my colleagues Luke Finley and Sarah Carr, I am an author of the CIEP guide Editing into Plain English.
Professionalism
I am an Advanced Professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) in the UK and I′m listed in their Directory of Editorial Services. I keep my skills up to date by doing training, attending the CIEP annual conference and going to my local CIEP group.
I have also contributed pieces to the CIEP blog and written a CIEP factsheet ‘What will happen to my editorial business if I die?’
Qualifications
I have a degree in English from the University of Exeter, a Professional Certificate in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults from International House London.
Laura Ripper | Proofreading and copy-editing 