Qualifications, training and experience
Organisations
As an Intermediate Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), I'm bound by its Membership Codes.
Training and CPD
Core skills
April 2022 – Comprehensive guide to copy-editing (Publishing Training Centre [PTC])
April 2022 – Introduction to proofreading (PTC)
May 2018 – Proofreading and copy-editing (The Writers Bureau)
May 2017 – Proofreading 1: introduction (CIEP)
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Editorial skills
November 2024 – Essential grammar (PTC)
February 2024 – Essential editorial project management (PTC)
February 2024 – Editor's guide to working with typesetters (PTC)
December 2023 – Commissioning editor's guide to working with authors​ (PTC)
November 2023 – Editor​’s guide to editing fiction (PTC)
July 2023 – Switching to fiction (Louise Harnby training for editors)
June 2023 – Essential copyright for publishers (PTC)
April 2023 – Introduction to marketing (PTC)
March 2023 – Introduction to publishing (PTC)
February 2023 – Proofreading PDFs (PTC)
January 2023 – Editor​’s guide to editing illustrations (PTC)
December 2022 – Editor’s guide to editing references (PTC)
October 2022 – Editor’s guide to author queries (PTC)
September 2022 – Copy-editor’s guide to working with authors (PTC)
September 2022 – Editor’s guide to editorial style (PTC)
January 2021 – Manuscript evaluation (Editors Canada – webinar)
March 2020 – Editing fiction (PTC)
November 2018 – Proofreading theses and dissertations (CIEP)
Awards
June 2007 – BSc (Hons) Interior Design
Experience
My fiction editing experience includes YA, fantasy, sci-fi, romance and women’s fiction. I have beta reading experience in YA, MG, fantasy, romance, thriller, action-adventure and women’s fiction. I am happy to work on other genres, but I’m more familiar with the above.
My non-fiction editing experience includes PhD (and EdD) theses, research papers, a personal development book, rules for a game, and the storyboards for a game app. When it comes to proofreading academic or business texts, I specialise in architecture and design-related disciplines, but I’m also comfortable with humanities and social sciences.
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I have proofread and edited in UK and US English, and I’ve worked with dyslexic people and people whose first language is not English.
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Before retraining as a proofreader and editor, I worked in the architectural design industry for twelve years, demonstrating my ability to follow a client brief, plan ahead, time manage and meet often conflicting deadlines.
How do I edit?
I edit in Microsoft Word using Track Changes and Comments. I can also proofread using the Adobe commenting tools on PDF if you prefer (only available for projects that have already been professionally copy-edited and typeset).
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For beta reads I use the Comments tool in either Microsoft Word or Adobe.
What are my interests?
​I have a particular interest in the following genres and subjects.
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fiction – romance, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller and action-adventure
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art, architecture and design
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multiple sclerosis
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hearing loss
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meditation
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Pilates
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yoga
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Even if your genre or subject isn't listed above, feel free to contact me with the details of your project.
Provided me with a professional and prompt service ...
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“Victoria has provided me with a professional and prompt service at a time when I needed it most. Her work was thorough and clear [...] It was invaluable to have a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ from outside the field go through my work [...] Using Victoria’s services was reassuring and saved me some time at very stressful time in my studies. I would thoroughly recommend Victoria if you want to ensure your work is of the highest possible standard.
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–Nicola Smith, DClinSci student
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