Dr Maartje Scheltens

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With 12 years of experience in editorial roles at Cambridge University Press, I understand exactly what your publisher is looking for. I can help you prepare your book manuscript to their requirements and work with you to frame an effective proposal. I regularly copy-edit journal articles and can implement any journal style you need and advise on structure. And I actually love tidying up references!

My specialist subjects are literature and history; I have a PhD from Cambridge in seventeenth-century literary history. I have also copy-edited academic books in classics, philosophy, environmental studies, education and linguistics.

I really enjoy working with authors to present their research in the best possible way; I am flexible in how we achieve this, and can offer different levels of editing depending on your needs. Feel free to email me for a chat on how we might be able to work together!

Media

1. Books
2. Journals 
3. Multi-author books
4. Magazines
5. Annual reports

Experience

• Freelance since 2016
• Managing Editor, Digital Humanities and Social Sciences - Cambridge University Press (2013–2016)
• Commissioning Editor, History - Cambridge University Press (2012–2013)
• Editor/Assistant Editor, Literature - Cambridge University Press (2003–2012)

Training

• Non-Fiction Development Editing (CIEP) - 2024
• Efficient Editing (CIEP) - 2021
• Copy-editing 2: Headway (CIEP) - 2020
• Digital Project Management (Publishing Training Centre) - 2014           
• Basic Book Production (Imago Training) - 2006
• Editorial Project Management (Publishing Training Centre) - 2005

Clients

• Copy-editing: (Books) Cambridge University Press, Routledge/Taylor and Francis (via Newgen Publishing UK); (Journals): Environmental Values, Nomadic Peoples, Global Environment
• Copywriting: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Colleges, AsiaEdit
• Peer Review Assistant, Environmental History (journal)
• Project management/editing/copywriting: Newnham College, Cambridge
• Proofreading: The Society of Authors, the Fitzwilliam Museum

Subjects

Literature

History

Arts and Humanities

Classics

Environmental Studies

Qualifications

BA English 

MA Renaissance Literature

PhD The Representation of William III

testimonials

I am not sure I could have finished my book project without Maartje's help. She copyedited a 150,000-word edited volume with 20 contributors, converting references from one style format into another, and checking the whole manuscript for consistency. What is more, she did each chapter as it came in, so there was almost no delay. When we submitted the manuscript to the publisher it was squeaky clean. They were pleased, and more importantly this has meant no delays in getting it to press. Maartje was a rock throughout what was a very stressful process. She has an outstanding eye for textual detail, impeccable editing skills, and superb levels of stamina. I can highly recommend her for any editing job and have used her services again for my own monograph.

Dr Chris Warnes, University Lecturer in African Literatures and Cultures, University of Cambridge

I would strongly recommend Maartje Scheltens, both as a copy-editor and a proof-reader. In the process of working together on my latest book, she has always responded promptly and efficiently to queries. She has gone through the text with tremendous care, bearing in mind my principal concerns and suggesting improvements as necessary. She has also been willing to discuss wider questions of structure and content as required. All in all, Maartje has saved me hours of time and given me much more confidence about my work. I am extremely grateful to her.

G.P., University of Oxford

• Editor