About Karen
Featured
Non-fiction copyeditor and proofreader with a BA in Classics and MSc in Construction, equally comfortable with the academic and the corporate.
As my background suggests, I’ve worked on quite a range of subjects to date! I've been writing and editing in various capacities since 2012, following five years in technical management for major housing developer Bellway Homes. I’ve worked in-house for engineering company AKT II and main contractor Laing O’Rourke, and edited and proofread books, journal articles and theses for The Bartlett and the University of Sheffield Architecture Department on landscaping, architecture, sustainability and urban regeneration – but I’ve also edited academic books in fields as diverse as archaeology, maritime history, nanophotonics and the Rwandan genocide.
I have particular interests in Eastern European history and politics, global politics, African Studies and international development, and my recent work reflects this.
I believe an editor’s role is to view the words as a lay reader would, with keen interest and a questioning mind – so I look for clarity in each sentence and research each fact thoroughly. I work on academic books, papers and theses, but am also adept at editing and reviewing company reports, publications and web content.
Media
Books, Multi-author books, Journals, Theses and dissertations, Websites/blogs, Tenders/bids, Government reports, Newsletters, Online materials.
Experience
Freelance copyeditor and proofreader since 2015, full-time since 2020.
Copywriter, Laing O'Rourke, 2018–20.
Bid Writer, BPM Group, 2017–18.
Technical Writer, AKT II, 2012–15.
Training
Copyediting: Progress (CIEP), 2022.
Proofreading Theses and Dissertations (CIEP), 2022.
Efficient Editing (CIEP), 2022.
Copyediting: Headway (CIEP), 2021.
Clients
Oxford University Press
UCL Press
The Bartlett
University of Sheffield Department of Architecture
Royal Society of Chemistry
Boydell and Brewer
Brill
Bloomsbury Academic
Watkins Media
University of London Press
Edinburgh University Press
Accuracy Matters
Subjects
Eastern Europe (including Russian, Polish and Serbian translated works), building/construction (engineering, architecture, built environment, construction industry, housing, health and safety), interior design (building renovation, period), engineering (civil/structural, history), Africa, Asia, developing countries, India, South Africa, archaeology (Anglo-Saxon, classical, early civilisations, Greek, Roman), history (18th century, 19th century, 20th century, African, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, British), art history (19th/20th century, academic), conservation, environment/energy (conservation [birds, countryside/nature, energy, green issues, urban], planning/surveying [environmental, town and country], urban regeneration), fitness/health (tai chi, martial arts, wellness), geography (development studies, sustainable development), literature in translation, bereavement, care of the elderly, philosophy (ancient)
Qualifications
BA, Classics (Durham University).
MSc, Construction (Northumbria University).
testimonials
Karen has been a pleasure to work with, communicating well and working hard to deliver high-quality editing. She consistently receives strong feedback from our production editors and project managers, as well as from our authors. I would have no hesitation in recommending Karen to other clients for freelance work, as I’m confident she would be a huge success.
D. Lewis – Oxford University Press
We had the pleasure of working with Karen on two difficult projects and look forward to working with her again in the future. Although faced with challenging deadlines, Karen's work quality was consistently high. Working with Karen was a breeze as she was communicative and helpful throughout. She has great knowledge of technical terminology and was able to translate some complex IT-based text into passages that actually made sense! Would recommend to anyone looking for a talented and professional proofreader.
C. Monahan – Torry Harris Business Solutions
It has been a tremendous experience working with you - in my fifteen years of publishing with academic presses, I think you have been by a very wide margin the best copy-editor I have ever had.
K. Vlassopoulos – Associate Professor, University of Crete
I enjoyed the collaboration and learned a lot in the process. I have published quite a few books but it is the first time I have so much interaction with a copy editor. You have a gift for highlighting ambiguities and inconsistencies. You also picked up a few potentially damaging typos. Your work has definitely added value to my book.
P. Denis – Senior Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Karen is a skilled proofreader and I'm very happy to recommend her. We've only worked together since the start of this year, and mostly on annual reports, but Karen has proven that she has the requisite attention to detail that these reports need. She's also really flexible when deadlines inevitably shift, good-humoured and works well as part of a team. What's not to recommend?!
R. Jones – Account Manager, Accuracy Matters
Service(s)
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.