Ms Laura Ripper

I'm a reliable, supportive copy-editor and proofreader with over 15 years' experience. My clients include businesses, charities, creative agencies, think tanks, translation agencies, academics and universities.

I specialise in plain-English editing (also known as plain-language editing). Before becoming an independent editor I worked in the not-for-profit sector for several years and taught English as a foreign language.

Recent projects include:

• Plain-English editing – patient information booklets on lymphoedema, guidance for charities on applying for funding
• Copy-editing – chapters for an academic book, report on sustainable development, board-game rulebook and scenario book, manuscript on personal development
• Proofreading – annual report in PDF, journal article for publication

Please get in touch if you'd like to talk to me about your project and the service you need.

Web
http://www.lauraripperproofreading.com

Media

• Marketing materials
• Public sector and charity reports
• Websites
• Journal articles
• Course materials
• PhD theses
  

Qualifications and awards

• BA English Studies (2:1), University of Exeter
• Professional Certificate in Marketing (Level 4), Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), International House London

Experience

• 2012 onwards: Independent copy-editor and proofreader
• 2010–2013: Communications officer, Digital Outreach
• 2008–2010: Editor, Foundations
• 2004–2007: Editor, Plain English Campaign

Recent training

• Annual conference (CIEP) 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
• WordPress Masterclass (East Midlands Chamber) 2024
• Health Editing (CIEP) 2024
  
• Non-fiction Developmental Editing (CIEP) 2023
• Web editing (CIEP) 2021
• Editing with Word (SfEP) 2018
• References (SfEP) 2016
• Copy-editing Headway (SfEP) 2016
• Brush Up Your Grammar (SfEP) 2016

Recent clients

• Blue Stream Academy
• British Journal of Community Justice
• Door22 Creative
• Fresh* Communications
• Hémecht
• Historical Consulting
• Home-Start UK
• International Institute for Sustainable Development
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Osprey Games
• Social Value Lab
• The Stationery Office
• Transparency International UK
• The University of Sheffield
• Independent non-fiction authors (academic articles, funding applications, reference books)

Subjects

• Public information (in plain English)
• Public sector (education, environment, older people, people with disabilities)
• Not-for-profit sector(environment, working animals, digital literacy, early childhood, lifesaving)
• Local government
• Marketing(including house style and brand guidelines)
• Academic (humanities - pre-submission journal articles, funding applications, PhD theses)
• Business (corporate social responsibility - reports, website content, marketing and communications materials)
• Interests (board games, mountain biking, outdoor swimming, adventure)
• Development (organisational, personal)

Testimonials

We asked Laura to copy-edit a technical report for investors. Working with Laura was a wonderful experience; she was very communicative, and added value from our very first exchange. She engaged with the content and posed very relevant questions to guide her edits, and promptly delivered an extremely thoroughly copy-edited report which greatly improved the readability, consistency, and tone of the document. I would thoroughly recommend Laura to work with: she was professional, friendly, and enthusiastic.

Rory Donaldson, Transparency International UK

At Door 22 we've been working with Laura for a number of years now. Our clients really appreciate an external expert looking over messaging not only for plain English and accessibility but also to make sure the copy is on brand and follows brand styling and tone of voice. We build in Laura's expertise as part of the project team wherever we can, as it adds enormous value. She goes beyond the brief and has such a passion for her craft. She cares deeply about the client and the audience they are communicating to.
Our clients regularly comment on how impressed they are with Laura's work and feel reassured that the copy is the best it can possibly be. I would recommend Laura every day of the week, she's a joy to work with.

Emma Nicol, Creative Director | Founder, Door 22 Creative

A phenomenal copy-editor and proofreader, Laura has been invaluable to every project she’s worked on. She combines a holistic, big-picture approach with an unerring eye for detail, always producing methodical and thoughtful work. She is at once friendly and professional, and is unerringly timely. For everything that needs an editor’s eye, Laura is my first port of call.

Filip Hartelius, Senior Games Developer, Osprey Games

Laura was the copy editor for Scotland’s State of the Environment report, 2014. The report summarises the condition of Scotland's environment and the challenges it faces, and was written by over 30 authors from 13 different organisations. Copy-editing the 85,000 words produced was obviously a challenge and Laura's input was indispensable. Laura worked with us to refine the text, not only ensuring consistency but also improving the language and challenging us to tell a clear story to our audience. She was efficient, met punishing deadlines and quickly grasped the ethos of what we were trying to achieve, then helped ensure we lived up to it. Her constructive criticism and the clarity of her language significantly improved the final report.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Chair of the SoE Editorial Group, SEPA

We were going round in circles with our website text and needed a breakthrough. Laura got to grips with everything really quickly and did a super-fantastic job consistent with the “business text – plain English” brief. She’s professional, easy to work with and really great at her job. What is there not to love? Marks out of 10? 20!

Peter Matthews, Founder & CEO, Metro Communications

Thank you so much for your help with the thesis. It has been invaluable. I feel so much more confident now handing it in. It's been great that you have questioned me so that I have had to re-think some things again and write them in a clearer way. I will definitely recommend your services to anyone in need.

Mari, PhD student, psychology

In my experience, Laura Ripper's proofreading is excellent. She is highly skilled in her work and provides a tailored service. She not only corrects inconsistencies with sensitivity to the text but she seeks to find the voice of the author in order to really understand the script. Her proof suggestions are wise as well as detailed, increasing the impact of the writing, and giving me new confidence in my work. Highly recommended.

Alison, author

• Editor
• Proofreader

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