About me

I love working with words (and the people who write them) to help individuals and organisations communicate clearly about information that matters to them. Using my editing and proofreading expertise, I can support you to create text that is well written, consistent and effective.

I work with charities, businesses, government departments, creative agencies, publishers, PhD students and independent copy-writers and non-fiction authors.

I most enjoy working with people and organisations who want to make a positive difference through the work they do and the text they publish.

Based in the Peak District in England, I provide editorial services to clients throughout the UK and overseas.

Skills

  • Copy-editing
  • Plain-English editing
  • Proofreading
  • Website editing

Experience

I’ve worked as a copy-editor and proofreader since 2004, and became an independent professional when I started my business in 2012.

I have many years of experience in plain English, which is the root of my editorial training and the core of my expertise. I’ve also worked in marketing and communications in the not-for-profit sector, which broadened my skills and knowledge beyond editorial work.

I’ve also worked in more traditional areas of publishing, such as book publishing and academic journals.

Helping to train others

I co-wrote the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) online course Plain English for Editors, which I am also a tutor on. 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 attending 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.

A photo of Laura Ripper
My desk and office

‘Laura has been invaluable to every project she’s worked on. She combines a holistic, big-picture approach with an unerring eye for detail, always producing methodical and thoughtful work.’
Filip Hartelius, Osprey Games

‘Our clients regularly comment on how impressed they are with Laura’s work and feel reassured that the copy is the best it can possibly be.’
Emma Nicol, Door22 Creative