
Jacqueline Harvey
Advanced Professional MemberLocation | Aberystwyth, Wales |
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Telephone | 01970 624 310 |
Web | www.jacquelineharvey.net |
Jacqueline Harvey | |
https://twitter.com/Jacquel36168127 |
About me
I have over 30 years’ experience of copyediting and proofreading different kinds of publications, including academic and ‘popular’ books, reference works (e.g. dictionaries and bibliographies), illustrated books, exhibition catalogues, journals, reports, and websites. My expertise is mainly in the humanities and social sciences – I am what is often called a generalist, and can work in most areas.
The services I offer are primarily copyediting, proofreading, web editing and proofing, and transcription services. I can also rewrite and repurpose or restyle any document for print or online circulation.
Having been freelance since 1986, I joined the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) in 1989, shortly after its inception. In 2012 I became an Advanced Professional Member (currently the highest grade of membership). This year the SfEP gained chartered status and became the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).
My clients have included Bodleian Library Publishing, The British Library, Cambridge University Press, Council of Europe, Manchester University Press, Oxford University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Policy Press (Bristol University Press), Polity Press, SPCK, TMF Group, and Wiley Blackwell.
Services
The main services I offer are:
- copyediting
- proofreading
- web editing and proofing
- transcription
- simple indexing.
Subjects
I work in most humanities and social science subjects, including:
- anthropology
- archaeology
- art and art history
- Asian studies (especially south-east Asia)
- biblical studies and theology
- biographies
- children’s literature
- Christianity
- communication (media) studies
- cultural studies
- diaries/letters
- dictionaries
- education
- English and world literature
- film and theatre
- geography (human)
- history
- literary criticism and theory
- literary fiction (incl. scholarly editions)
- literary history
- philosophy
- photography
- politics
- popular science
- sociology
- travel.
Clients
Past and current clients have included:
- Bodleian Library Publishing
- The British Library
- Cambridge University Press
- Council of Europe
- Manchester University Press
- Oxford University Press
- Palgrave Macmillan
- Paul Mellon Centre
- Policy Press/Bristol University Press
- Polity Press
- Rider Books (Random House)
- Sheffield Phoenix Press
- SPCK & IVP
- TMF Group
- V&A Publications
- Whitefox
- Wiley Blackwell.
Clear and well-written text communicates effectively. It reflects a thorough understanding of the subject, gives the impression that careful thought has gone into what is said, and inspires confidence in a reader. Correct spelling and grammar are crucial to the credibility of a book, article, or website, and mistakes in a text can undermine trust dramatically.
Many people find it difficult to express themselves well in writing. As an editor, I can help you to say what you mean clearly and coherently. Most of us would hesitate to tackle wiring or plumbing tasks in the home ourselves, even with the help of YouTube tutorials, and would prefer to employ a professional electrician or plumber for such specialized work. Think of an editor as a text engineer who can help you use words to get your message across.
Even if you are an experienced writer, your closeness to the work can make it difficult for you to see problems. A fresh pair of eyes can spot mistakes and inconsistencies, and identify potential improvements, much more quickly and easily.
I offer copyediting, proofreading, web editing and proofing, and transcription services. I can also rewrite and repurpose or restyle any document for print or online circulation. I have over 30 years of freelance editorial experience with academic and ‘popular’ books, reference works, catalogues, journals, reports, websites, and many other kinds of publications.
Testimonials
Jacqueline Harvey was a godsend for this project. She was careful, diligent, and smart, making excellent corrections where obvious and gently guiding me to clarity in places where I might have been more resistant. Throughout all of it, she sustained my voice while also keeping me stylistically and academically honest. I recommend her most highly.
Christopher Meyers, The Professional Ethics Toolkit (Wiley Blackwell, 2018)
I have worked on several unusual and quite challenging projects with Jacqueline, including a book written in contemporary blank verse and two edited volumes, both of which contain extremely varied subject matter. In every case Jacqueline’s flexibility, detailed knowledge of the language, and attention to detail have been outstanding. It is always reassuring to know that Jacqueline has cast her expert eye over a piece of work before it is published.
Paul Williamson, writer and general editor for Festival O/Modernt publishing
I was very impressed by your editing of our text. We had taken pains with it, yet every change you made was a clear improvement, and a kindness to the reader and our discipline. You made us look good. By taking the pain out of writing, you made me want to do more of it. Thank you for the skill and effort you invested!
Siobhan Reilly, contributor to The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Family Studies, ed. C. L. Shehan (Wiley Blackwell, 2016)
My project was a collection of a canonical author’s letters, derived from a standard edition put together by a much-loved Byron scholar. In effect, it was a 500-page quotation, including many eccentricities of spelling and punctuation, literary and historical allusions without number, and matters of transcription right down to the length of a dash (to which Lord Byron was addicted). Jacqueline watched all this unfold like the proverbial hawk, and even corrected me on ‘who’/‘whom’ on a couple of occasions, thus saving my literary reputation. And she returned queries from marked-up sheets within twenty-four hours, every time. If my next book project with the same publisher prospers I shall request her services most emphatically.
Richard Lansdown (ed.), Byron’s Letters and Journals: A New Selection (Oxford University Press, 2015)
I was so fortunate that Wiley Blackwell assigned Jacqueline Harvey to edit the manuscript for the second edition of my college textbook, The Ethical Journalist. Jacqueline excels in all the requisite skills of an excellent textbook editor: impeccable knowledge of the language, broad general knowledge, specialized knowledge of textbook style, meticulous attention to detail, and consummate practical judgment. In addition, she is a supportive colleague. Thanks to her editing, my manuscript is marvelously improved.
Gene Foreman, The Ethical Journalist: Making Responsible Decisions in the Digital Age (Wiley Blackwell, 2015)
Swift, efficient, and with a fine eye for detail, Jacqueline Harvey helped to improve my manuscript with her careful and insightful reading. I would definitely work with her again and am delighted to recommend her to other authors and writers.
Jolyon Mitchell, Martyrdom: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2012)
I had the pleasure of having Jacqueline Harvey as the copy-editor for my book. Because this was its fourth edition, and not a great deal of new text was included in it, I doubted whether she would be able to find much to correct or improve. I was wrong. She found numerous places where sentences could be simplified, shortened, and clarified. I was really quite amazed at the meticulousness of her work. Even though she worked quickly, she was careful to ask questions where she had doubts as to my exact meaning. I can recommend her highly for her speed, thoroughness, and overall professionalism.
Bruce F. Pauley, Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini: Totalitarianism in the Twentieth Century (Wiley Blackwell, 2014)
As a freelance project manager for Wiley Blackwell, I have, over the past 10 years or so, often subcontracted copy-editing to Jacqueline Harvey. Jacqueline is a most reliable worker in all respects: fine attention to detail, excellent rapport with authors, always prompt and responsive to deadlines, and never backward in seeking advice if needed. I have no hesitation in trusting to Jacqueline’s judgement and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a first-class copy-editor.
Sarah Dancy, freelance project manager, Wiley Blackwell
Knowing that Jacqueline is working on a book for me gives me peace of mind. I have found her to be consistently reliable and meticulous, and the script and paperwork she returns are always immaculately presented. She works both efficiently and independently, while remembering to point out if anything she does will need to be followed up later in the production process. A book in Jacqueline’s hands is a book in safe hands.
Leah Morin, freelance project manager, Wiley Blackwell
You made it so easy for me – your questions are so clear, and editing improves the text so much. I’m very grateful.
Yossef Rapaport, Islamic Maps (Bodleian Library Publishing, 2020)
Jacqueline is one of the most dependable and accurate copy-editors I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She is diligent about following a brief and at the same time is able to exercise her considerable judgement, experience and expertise when necessary. She knows her craft very well and thoroughly engages with every project. She is reliable in her communications and in keeping me apprised of issues that arise. I can always be sure that when I place work with her she will do a professional job.
Hazel Bird, freelance project manager, Wiley Blackwell