Karen O'Donnell | Academic and non-fiction proofreading and editing, specialising in biomedical and healthcare sciences
- [email protected]
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Karen
Featured
I provide a reliable and conscientious copyediting and proofreading service, working with academic and nonfiction authors and publishers. I specialise in biomedical and healthcare sciences, but I'm happy to work with other nonfiction materials and subjects. Please contact me to discuss your particular requirements.
I’ll work collaboratively with you, respecting your voice and style, but bringing my knowledge and expertise. You’ll find me friendly and supportive, thorough (but not pedantic) and level-headed.
I understand that having someone else review your work can be a bit nerve-wracking, but you can trust me to be sensitive and empathetic, and my suggestions to be thoughtful and constructive.
I'm experienced in copyediting and proofreading various types of academic and nonfiction texts. This includes texts in UK and US English, and those with graphs, figures, tables, notes, citations and references. Larger manuscripts can include more complex structures and heading hierarchies. Skills I employ for all jobs, both large and small, are adhering to schedules that are often tight and following sometimes lengthy and detailed style guides, such as those of the General Medical Council, Nature and Edward Elgar Publishing, while also respecting the author’s voice.
A BSc with first class honours in biochemistry and molecular biology and a 12-year career as a biomedical scientist in diagnostic laboratories helped me to develop excellent time-management skills, an ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and a very keen eye for detail. See more about my background.
I am a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and I abide by their code of practice.
When I’m not at my desk, I can be found in the gym pumping iron or in the garden, pondering over my primulas and preparing my next pollinator-friendly planting scheme, usually overseen by at least one feline supervisor.
Media
Journal articles, academic and nonfiction books, popular science books, single-author books, multi-author books, theses and dissertations, newsletters, company reports and literature
Experience
Freelance since 2016
Training
Medical Editing (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) 2020
Basic Editing (Publishing Training Centre) 2017
Basic Proofreading (Publishing Training Centre) 2016
Clients
Academic researchers and medical communications companies, including Enovalife: journal articles
Academic and nonfiction publishers, including Routledge, CRC Press and Edward Elgar Publishing: single author and multi-author academic and nonfiction books
Students: dissertations and PhD theses
Companies and organisations: newsletters, reports and policy/training documents
Subjects
Specialist subjects, i.e. those requiring an understanding of biomedical and medical concepts and terminology, and those relating to matters of healthcare:
• anatomy
• biochemistry
• biology
• biomedical sciences
• healthcare sciences
• histopathology
• medicine
• molecular biology
• pathology
• physiology
• public health.
I have worked with various different subject areas, from the sciences, humanities and social sciences, including:
• botany
• built environment
• conservation and the environment
• economics
• education
• energy studies
• fertility studies
• health and safety studies
• healthcare and social care
• history
• marketing and branding
• media studies
• migration studies
• nursing and midwifery
• performing arts
• politics
• security studies
• tourism studies.
Qualifications
BSc Biochemistry and molecular biology
Testimonials
Karen's attention to detail is really excellent. We have worked together on several titles requiring a collaborative editorial effort from both her and our authors and the latter have always been grateful for her kind direction and thorough guidance towards a comprehensive piece to be proud of without distracting from the style of the original material. She's great at spotting things we would otherwise miss!
Sabrina Zaher, Senior Desk Editor and Digital Specialist, Edward Elgar Publishing
Karen is very professional and delivers high quality copyediting services tailored to the needs of our communication agency. It is a pleasure working with her on a daily basis and I value our collaboration.
Benjamin Lemaire, Lead Medical Editing, Enovalife
Karen completed a detailed copyedit of our annual and national reports, providing helpful insights and getting to grips quickly with our house style guide. This work was completed on time and to a high standard, and all communication with Karen was prompt and clear. Thanks very much for all your work.
Siobhán Murphy, Publications Editor, General Medical Council
We asked Karen to proof-read a complex and lengthy report we produced for the public sector. Her feedback was comprehensive and high quality – and has made a great improvement on the final polish of the report. Look forward to working with her again and recommend her highly!
Alison, project manager
I have worked with Karen on a number of major projects. I have found her to be meticulous, insightful and really efficient. All projects have been delivered on, or before, schedule. I certainly will continue to work with her and would definitely recommend her service to others
MK, university lecturer
It was tremendous to find a proofreader with a scientific background. I felt you really grasped the subject matter being discussed making the process so easy. Thank you for a very proficient, professional and timely service – I’m delighted with the outcome. I will not hesitate to recommend you to scientific colleagues in the future.
Louise, NHS healthcare scientist
Excellent work. Accurate and professional proofreading combined with extremely useful suggestions where meanings are unclear. And all delivered within (if not ahead of) schedule!
Hugh, university lecturer
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.