Marija Duric Speare | copy editing / sub-editing / proofreading – arts and humanities, with a specialism in music

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Trusted copy editor, sub-editor and proofreader who combines meticulous attention to detail with a genuine sensitivity to each writer’s unique voice.

I have been in the business since 1991, and have had experience in many subject areas, particularly the arts and humanities and including fiction as well as non-fiction.

I am happy to work either in-house or from home.

All work is undertaken in a professional manner with maximum care and a respect for deadlines.

Media

• Magazines
• Books
• Journals
• Illustrated books
• Newsletters
• Websites
• Theses and dissertations
• Sheet music

Software

• InDesign
• Word
• Adobe PDF
• Umbraco

Qualifications and training

BA Music, MMus Historical Musicology

Online Content: Writing and Editing Skills (Online Content Training)

Practical Mark-up of PDFs (SfEP, now CIEP)

Experience

Freelance since 2000. Significant past experience: part-time chief sub-editor, The Strad magazine, Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd, 2005–08; full-time area editor/copy editor, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Macmillan, 1995–2000; freelance proofreader, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2000–2003

Clients: selected – past and present

Magazines Mark Allen Group (Gramophone), Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd (The Strad), Immediate Media Co. (Radio Times), Bauer Media (TV Choice/Total TV Guide)

Journals Journal of the Royal Musical Association (proofreader for 12 years); Music & Letters (Managing Editor, handling commissions for book reviews)

Music Edition G Henle Verlag (copy edit texts, checking English translations – Béla Bartók Complete Critical Edition)

Books and Theses There have been many clients over the years, including Oxford University Press, York University Press, Macmillan Publishers, Folio Society, Ashgate Publishing, Faber and Faber, Anness Publishing, QED Publishing, numerous private clients

Website Sinfini Music

Subjects

Arts, humanities, music (history, biography, discography, criticism, analysis etc), history, art history, biography, children's books/magazines, TV/radio listings, cookery, crafts, gardening

Testimonials

Marija is an exceptionally talented editor, sub-editor and writer whose attention to detail is exemplary. She is as adept at features as she is with intensely detailed listings and is the most valued freelance sub-editor we have at Radio Times. I wish that I could book her more often – she is always my first port of call. But Radio Times remains in fierce competition for her talent. Book her if you can, although I may curse you for taking her away from us!

Jane Anderson Radio Editor, Radio Times at Immediate Media Co

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Marija’s devotion to detail – whether it be checking facts or finessing the writing – is exemplary, and driven by an evident pride in ensuring that Gramophone offers our readers content which is both as correct and as compelling as it can possibly be. All at Gramophone enjoy working with her – but most importantly so do our freelance writers, who regularly offer praise on what they clearly see as a positive and collaborative working relationship.

Martin Cullingford Editor and Publisher, Gramophone magazine at Mark Allen Group

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Marija Duric Speare has acted as copy-editor for lengthy articles that I've contributed to Gramophone magazine. I've been very impressed by her attention to detail and her ability to engage with what is being written about, from the perspectives of both the writer and the potential reader, with not a query wasted. It's also gratifying to work with someone who enjoys listening to the music that's being written about. And having had the pleasure subsequently to meet her in person, I can say that the same qualities come across in person as in correspondence. I'd happily recommend her to anyone in this capacity.

Fabrice Fitch Senior Research Fellow, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; writer

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Marija Duric Speare is one of the few and rare sub editors in my experience who can subtly refine a writer’s work without altering the concepts and feelings that have been expressed in the text. Such a skilful and intelligent talent is invaluable and scant in supply, as it is the dual fruit of expertise and sensitivity – choice and scarce cohabiters.  

Jon Tolansky Documentary producer and writer

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Marija is an essential member of our team at The Strad, currently working as a freelance sub-editor and formerly as part-time chief sub with responsibility for putting together The Strad's comprehensive house style guide. She takes a forensic approach to sub-editing and proofreading, and is our first-call sub on the magazine. She is also an absolute pleasure to work with.

Chloe Cutts Editor, The Strad magazine at Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd

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Marija provided absolutely invaluable sub-editing support while I was editor of The Strad. Her attention to detail, impeccable knowledge of grammar, brilliant fact-checking and first-rate musical knowledge couldn't be beaten. I always felt completely 'safe' after she had read any piece that I was publishing entirely accurate information – and that the piece would be well written to boot. You won't find a better sub anywhere!

Charlotte Smith Editor, The Strad magazine at Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd (now Editor of BBC Music Magazine)

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Marija was a superb editor – efficient, patient and scrupulous. She dealt with both musical-technical questions and matters of style – and did it all brilliantly. 

Michael McManus Writer, Gramophone magazine

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I've had the great fortune of collaborating with Marija over the past year or so as a freelance writer who contributes features and other stories to the acclaimed The Strad magazine. When I know that Marija will be editing my copy, I breathe an extra sigh of relief in the knowledge that it is in the very best possible hands. What makes Marija's work first-class is her thorough professionalism across all levels, whether correcting minor errors, pointing out discrepancies, or homing in on details that need clarification. The result is without fail a marked improvement in what gets published. 

Thomas May Freelance Writer

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The writing profession abounds with brilliant editors and sub-editors, but Marija Duric Speare is truly in a class of her own. Her prowess defies superlatives. 

Leon Bosch Double bassist, Director of I Musicanti

• Editor
• Proofreader