Etty Payne
Advanced Professional MemberLocation | Hampshire/Surrey/Berkshire borders, UK |
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | |
Web | www.elegantwords.co.uk |
Web | www.editingglobally.com |
@EttyPayne1 |
Why choose me to work with your words? Because I take great care with them. Whether you've written a website or a work of literature you will have had good reasons for choosing particular words and you'll want a proofreader or copy-editor who is sensitive to your reasons – I always aim to be that kind of proofreader/copy-editor. I ensure not only that your writing is clear, error-free and consistent, but also that it is elegant and that it retains the individual voice and character you would like it to have.
My sensitive and respectful treatment of my clients' words has resulted in a very high level of repeat business: more than 90% of my work is further commissions from happy clients.
In the last 10 years as a proofreader and copy-editor, I have worked on over 250 full-length books (both fiction and non-fiction), over 2000 medico-legal reports, numerous student dissertations and PhD theses, around 150 course units for distance learning courses, about 1200 school reports, and a large number of reports, reviews, evaluations and proposals for government agencies, NGOs, health organisations and international development/aid consultancies.
I have more than 30 years' experience of working in editing, proofreading and translation services. I work mostly on-screen (but can work on paper using BSI proofreading symbols if required), using a variety of approaches depending on my clients' preferences. Most of my work is done in Word (using Track Changes and comments), in InDesign, or on PDFs (using Acrobat's editing tools or BSI proofreading symbols if required).
My diverse background and experience in the UK and abroad – including 10 years of translating (French to English) at the Council of Europe and many years' self-employment in different fields – have given me a particularly broad general knowledge and, at the same time, enabled me to specialise in an eclectic mix of subjects. Health and international development aid feature prominently in my regular work as a proofreader and editor but I relish projects related to dogs, autism, Aspergers, ADHD/ADD, food, and photography.
I belong to an international collective of proofreaders and copy-editors called Editing Globally, which means that if a client is looking for something that I may not be able to provide, I can call on a group of trusted colleagues, one of whom is sure to fit the bill. See our website at www.editingglobally.com
Clients find me very easy to work with and friendly – I consider good communication essential in my proofreading and copy-editing work. I am reliable and helpful and regard going the extra mile as a normal part of my job.
Skills
- Proofreading, copy-editing and editing (on-screen or hard copy, in UK, US or Canadian English)
- Website proofreading and editing
- Proofreading/editing English that has been translated from French
- Formatting and layout (all documents, including international development reports, illustrated books, medico-legal reports, and novels for self-publishing authors)
- Consistency checking using software, macros and my eagle eye
- Anglicising and Americanizing
- Translation (from French to English)
- Transcription, particularly of medical and medico-legal texts, but all one- or two-speaker transcribing considered. This always includes thorough proofreading of the transcribed text.
Subjects
- Medical and health (translation, proofreading, copy-editing, transcription): medical and medico-legal reports, anatomy and physiology, autism, Aspergers, ADHD/ADD, psychology, mental health, nursing, global health issues, child health, complementary/alternative medicine, medical communications, nutrition/food science, cardiac rehabilitation, sport and fitness.
- European and international issues (translation, proofreading, copy-editing, transcription): international development aid, global health issues, maternal and child health, poverty, environment, climate change, culture, human rights and gender issues.
- Fiction (proofreading, copy-editing): specialist areas include children's fiction, young adult fiction, science fiction, thriller/suspense, crime fiction, detective novels, mysteries, and adventure and fantasy fiction, although I will consider most types of fiction.
- Other specialist areas (translation, proofreading, copy-editing, transcription): photography/photo-editing, dogs (including dog training and dog behaviour), autism, Aspergers, ADHD/ADD, psychology, self-help, personal development, school reports, travel and geography, French culture, music/music industry, journalism, biography/autobiography, business/management, finance (accountancy, banking, personal finance/pensions/mortgages), popular science, football, athletics, most sports, performing arts, cookery, crafts.
Recent training
Writing Medico-Legal Reports in Civil Claims (self-study) 2015, On-screen editing 1 (Society for Editors and Proofreaders) 2014, Introduction to web editorial skills (Society for Editors and Proofreaders) 2014, InDesign CS6 (Certitec) 2013, Basic proofreading by distance learning (Publishing Training Centre) 2012.
Media
Books (trade, academic, educational, fiction and illustrated books), brand books, international development documents, medico-legal reports, school reports, recipe books, art books, patient health advice material, magazines, biographies, educational materials, travel guides, bilingual (French/English) books, student dissertations and PhD theses, corporate literature, manuals, newsletters, websites, online materials, audio and video
Qualifications and awards
BA French, Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology, TEFL certification, professional complementary health qualifications including traditional Chinese medicine
Recent clients
Royal College of Psychiatrists, FMS, BACPR - British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabitition, SKIRA, Social Development Direct, Chemonics, WordsWorks, Medify, King Edward VI School, Sopherco, Sharp Agency, Ashgate, Taylor & Francis, Itad, Cardno, Genesis Housing, Livewire Medical Communications, Pain Expert Ltd, Elwin Street, Edward Elgar Publishing, Routledge, Focal Press, Kaplan International, Pressparty, General Osteopathic Council, Rotovision, Marshall Editions, Hodder & Stoughton, Quarto, Quintet Publishing, schools, medical doctors, expert witnesses, self-publishing authors, students and private individuals.
Specialised software
Word, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator
Testimonials
Thank you, Etty, for your excellent communications and support throughout the assignment, for your professional expertise and wise advice. It was such a blessing to me to have you as copy editor, and you are a very warm and open person to work with. I really liked the calm, fluid and yet professionally "tight" way we worked together, and I do appreciate your care in taking the time to answer my questions in a very fulsome and helpful way. I also valued the way in which you acquainted yourself with the author before starting work as well as your sensitivity to the subject matter, which was a very important factor for me.
AH, Project Manager
After complaints about errors and typos in the first novel I self-published, I was determined to make sure my next book would be perfect. Once I'd mostly finished my final draft I searched for proof-readers and copy editors and thank goodness I found Etty. She was professional and clearly passionate about her work. I was impressed that she made the effort to look up my first book when I made contact to get an idea of my style. I needed her to work very fast as I was working to a tight deadline. Etty turned each story around in a day, two days for the ones over 15,000 words, and I was amazed at how fast she was, especially as she had a great deal to correct! Her edits were clear and never detracted from what I was trying to achieve. She absolutely 'got' me, and if she wasn't sure of something she would check it with me in a way that didn't upset my needy writer's ego. I shall definitely be using Etty again. She was fast, extremely thorough, and a pleasure to work with. I'd highly recommend her to anyone who needs absolute accuracy in their writing.
AL, Author, fiction, short stories
Etty provides the medical experts who work out of Pain Expert Ltd with the very highest standard of proofreading services so ensuring that our documents are very well presented and avoid the potentially very serious pitfalls associated with work as an expert witness. Very importantly for a proofreader engaging in this type of work, Etty shows a high level of knowledge and understanding of the medical terms and phrases that we use when preparing our medicolegal documents.
As a company, Pain Expert relies on a number of professional proofreaders all of whom provide us with a good service. However, when it comes to attention to detail, a very thorough evaluation of each medico-legal report presented to her, and indeed an excellent critical appraisal of the written work when required, I have no hesitation in stating that Etty is out there in a league of her own
Dr JV, Expert witness, Pain Expert Ltd
I have worked with Etty on a number of occasions, for both proofreading and Anglicising, and have always found her to be meticulous, considered and appreciative of the subject in which she is working. In particular, she does not hesitate to raise issues that have not been previously covered, ask pertinent questions and work collaboratively with the in-house editor. I find that this discursive and open style leads to a more thorough overall job, and because of this she is my go-to proofreader for most projects
LK, Quarto Group
Thank you for an excellent job. The editing is great. Your comments on my thesis were very helpful and clear, offering good advice on how they might be altered. Also you picked up my inconsistencies across the document - something I struggled with. This was money well invested. The work was completed before the completion date. I would certainly recommend you to any colleagues looking for a proof reader or copy-editor.
KC, PhD student, Cardiac Rehabilitation
… it is indescribably helpful having you to work on my book. Thank you for really working with me on this and for being so respectful and understanding of my writing.
TM, Self-publishing fiction author
Thank you so much for all your hard work and especially for sorting out all the formatting problems … I realise how complex this volume is so your skills and your flexibility are hugely appreciated.
FM, International development consultant
… you have a phenomenal level of medical knowledge! … superb at correcting my many lapses in concentration, even on specialist medical details
Dr BW, Medico-legal expert
Etty is a great proofreader and copy-editor: she pays close attention to the text, is thorough in her reading, flags problems early and always returns proofs on time. I’m consistently impressed with her queries, suggestions and the care she takes. Added to this, she’s a joy to work with
EE, Focal Press
I have had the pleasure of working with Etty for a number of years in the field of ‘Expert Witness’ assessments. Etty has meticulously proof read lengthy and complex reports to ensure that no minor or major error remains. The high quality of my reports has been remarked upon by barristers and judges and I have no doubt that this quality is a reflection of the methodical proof reading service that Etty provides.
I cannot recommend Etty highly enough to any professional who requires an experienced and committed proof reader.
Dr BH, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Expert Witness
Discovering the limitations of your own literacy is mildly disconcerting. However, throughout the editing of an entire novel, Etty never once made me feel foolish.
RJG, Author, fiction
… very efficient, friendly and dedicated editor. Etty has a particular eye for detail, continuity and flow. As a dyslexic student I found Etty to be very approachable and understanding of the challenges this places on academic writing, I was delighted with the result … I would strongly recommend Etty’s services and would certainly use them again
AV, Student in final year of nursing degree
I have been working with Etty for more than a year and in every job she has been professional, thorough and pleasant. Communication has always been very easy and her skills and her punctuality make her a trustworthy partner. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending her work to anyone and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her in the future
RCM, Portuguese copywriter and translator
I have entrusted Etty with many projects and am always absolutely certain I will receive the best quality work from her. She is very easy to communicate with and surprises me with the thoroughness of her work and the errors she notices that have slipped past several other people. My two colleagues, with whom she has also worked, speak very highly of her too
SP, Commissioning Editor, Routledge
Etty has proofread several projects for me onscreen and the quality of her work has always been of a very high standard … feedback from our authors is consistently very positive. I highly recommend her as a proofreader
KW, Ashgate
I was always very pleased with the service I received from Etty and the quality of work she provided. I was always working to a very tight production schedule, which did sometimes run over, and Etty’s flexibility and ability to accommodate our requirements was always greatly appreciated. I would definitely recommend her services to others.
Editor, The Osteopath magazine, General Osteopathic Council
Transcription of various recordings: Top quality transcriber! Everything came back superclean, beautfully presented and set out. Any unclear passages were clearly timestamped and helpful suggestions were left. A bonus I wasn't expecting was the cover page with all its helpful information!
PW, Research Now