Jane Simmonds
Advanced Professional Member| Location | Devon, UK |
| .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | |
| Telephone | 01884 861 017 |
| Mobile | 07876 166 882 |
| Jane Simmonds | |
| Website | janesimmonds-editorial.com |
How can I help you?
- I offer copyediting and proofreading and can work on your material at any stage, from raw copy to edited text, restructuring, rewriting or simply refining it.
- I specialise in non-fiction, both print and digital, including adults’, children’s, academic and travel titles, websites, business materials.
- I work with publishers, businesses, charitable organisations and authors who wish to self-publish or prepare their work for agents and publishers.
- Developmental editing is available to help you clarify the purpose of your text and get its message across.
- Web editing - including working directly on the site in WordPress.
Skills
Copyediting, on-screen editing, developmental editing, web editing, updating websites, proofreading, on-screen proofreading, anglicising, editing non-native English, research, fact checking, rewriting, marking up PDFs.
Media
Books, academic books, illustrated books, journals, company literature, training materials, business materials, websites, multi-author books, travel guides.
Specialised software
InDesign, Word, WordPress, Adobe Acrobat Reader, MailChimp.
Qualifications and training
Training courses: Web editing (CIEP) 2020; References (SfEP) 2017; On-screen editing 2 (SfEP) 2015; Copy-editing 2 (SfEP) 2014; WordPress workshop 2014.
Conferences: CIEP conference 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023; SfEP conference 2016, 2019; SfEP Southwest mini-conference 2018.
Academic qualifications: BA English Language and Literature (University of Manchester, 2.1); Certificate in Ecology and Conservation (Birkbeck, Merit).
Experience
Independent copyeditor and proofreader since 1998; senior editor, DK Publishing, 1990–98; assistant editor, Europa Publications, 1989–90.
Clients
Publishers: Right Book Company, Neon Squid, Dorling Kindersley, Thameside Media, Princeton University Press, Routledge/T&F, CUP, Palgrave Macmillan, Elwin Street Productions, Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Also independent and self-publishing authors and students.
Websites: EAG Tax, National Handwriting Association, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Walthamstow Montessori School, Newhouse Farm Cottages.
Educational training resources: Thrive, National Handwriting Association.
Subjects
Gardening/horticulture, humanities (history, art, architecture, literature, film, theatre, psychology), education, business and marketing, yoga, general science, natural history/conservation/ecology, biography/autobiography/memoirs, crafts, travel.
An independent copyeditor and proofreader since 1998, I am versatile, efficient and enthusiastic. I have worked on a wide range of non-fiction titles for numerous clients from general and academic publishers to small independents and self-publishing authors. I can tackle subjects ranging from history to gardening, from travel to psychology.
I focus on excellent client communication, and producing work to an extremely high standard within deadlines.
Testimonials
It has been a huge pleasure working with Jane on this. Her encouraging and appreciative style coupled with her insightful comments and ideas really inspired me.”
Joan van den Brink, author of The Three Companions: Courage, Compassion and Wisdom, responding to a developmental edit
Jane Simmonds is a superb copyeditor who can handle large book projects with complicated academic apparatus and various kinds of formatting. Her work is clear and precise.
Lawrence Venuti, Professor Emeritus of English, Temple University, Philadelphia
Your advice and suggestions were clear, and showed a good understanding of the subject matter at hand (architectural design, history and theory). The work was always delivered on time. More importantly, the amendments respected the author’s writing style, and served to enhance the final piece.
Dr Constance Lau, University of Westminster
I really can’t thank you enough for your patience and skill with this book … you have provided the sparkle and expertise.
Margaret Rice, author
I’m amazed at how perceptive and attentive you were to my manuscript. Much appreciated.
Dr Arthur Costigan, Queens College, City University of New York
Jane is a meticulous and untiring editor. She lavishes as much attention on the third draft of a manuscript as she does on the first.
Ron Sauder, owner, Secant Publishing, LLC
Jane is a reliable and responsive freelancer. She has done an excellent job of proofreading our training resources. I would not hesitate to use Jane again.
Lisa Fraley, Thrive