Mr Alan Heal |
Northampton
- Website
- www.bluebamboo.org.uk
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Alan
Copyeditor and proofreader specialising in genre fiction and ELT. I also provide picture research, art commissioning and editorial product-management services.
A lifelong reader of scifi and fantasy novels, I'm both well placed and well read to take on copyedits and proofreads of manuscripts from publishers and self-publishing authors.
Media
- Books
- Illustrated books
- Educational materials
- Distance-learning materials
- Multi-authors books
- Typesetting
- Journals
- Online materials
- Directories/yearbooks
Experience
Freelance since 2016
Production Editor, Open University, 2018-2019
Senior Art Buyer/Picture Researcher, emc design ltd, 2006-2016
Senior Editor, Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, 1998–2004
Training
Chapterhouse: Copyediting Skills, 1998
Chapterhouse: Proofreading Skills, 1998
Clients
Angry Robot, Gollancz, Orbit, Pan Macmillan, Titan, Tor, Pearson, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Open University, Hodder Education, Octopus Books, York Notes.
Subjects
Genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror), ELT and education, biography, music, lifestyle.
Qualifications
BA in Music
Chapterhouse: Copyediting Skills (certificate of competence)
Chapterhouse: Proofreading Skills (certificate of competence)
Specialised software
InDesign
oXygen
Testimonials
Copyeditors don't get enough credit, so I just want to throw out that Alan Heal is very good at his job and catches things I would never in a million years have noticed. – J.T. Greathouse, author of the Pact and Pattern fantasy series, published by Gollancz, via Twitter/X
I got the documents back from [British SF Association Grand Master] Ian [MacDonald] this week, and he just wanted to pass on his compliments – he thought you did a fantastic job and appreciated your work! – Orion Books on my copyedit of Hopeland
I’ve been really impressed with bluebamboo, particularly your proactivity and organisation. It’s been a godsend! – Oxford University Press UK
It’s been a pleasure working with you. We felt in very good hands throughout the project. – Oxford University Press US
I continue to be impressed with your efficiency and proactiveness with regards to keeping everything on track and reminding me and the team when stuff is due! Your project-management skills are excellent and I know that if I freelance a project out to you guys, it will be in a safe pair of hands. – Oxford University Press UK
It’s been a real pleasure working with you. Thank you for being communicative, flexible and reliable throughout. – Cambridge University Press UK
The editing job you did for me was superb! – The Open University
An excellent spot of proofreading. – The Open University
Alan, you have been brilliant – both at the detail (of the individual artwork questions/queries/illustrator issues/photograph rights problems) and also at the project management stage – completely on top of knowing what is happening when, chasing it up if required, sorting out issues with suppliers, sorting things out directly with editors (while still keeping me ‘in the loop’), patiently redoing handovers when DAM gremlins pull your hair out and stick pins in you… You are worth your weight in gold. Seriously, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you. THANK YOU – Oxford University Press UK
Service(s)
Specialisms
Client types
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.