Michelle Higgs |Non-fiction copyeditor and proofreader|History, biography, heritage, genealogy

Professional Member
Location Stourbridge, West Midlands
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website www.michellehiggs.co.uk
LinkedIn Michelle Higgs
Twitter @MichelleHiggs11

Skills

Copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing of non-fiction, writing, copywriting, research.

Media

Books, multi-author books, illustrated books, educational materials.

Experience

Freelance since 2019

Training

Non-fiction Developmental Editing (CIEP) 2023

Efficient Editing: Strategies & Tactics (CIEP) 2022

Word for Practical Editing (CIEP) 2021

Copyediting 2: Headway (CIEP) 2021

Copyediting 1: Introduction (SfEP) 2019

Proofreading 1: Introduction (SfEP) 2018

Clients

Pen & Sword Books (UK)

Prepare to Publish (UK)

Ensemble Media (USA)

Daredevil Books (UK)

Semioscreation (USA)

Subjects

History, social history, British history, local history, genealogy, family history

Historical biography, historical autobiography, memoir

Heritage 

Self-help (popular psychology)

Business

English language teaching

Qualifications

BA Historical Studies

Testimonials

Michelle has been an excellent asset to our editorial team for the past four years, building a rapport with authors and editing their work to a very high standard. She is always a pleasure to deal with and has proven herself to be thorough in her approach to proofreading and copyediting. She is to be recommended to anyone looking for an editor with a discerning eye and an exceptionally professional attitude towards their work.

Laura Hirst, Production & Commissioning Editor, Pen and Sword History

Michelle has proven an excellent proofreader, helpful, reliable and expert at spotting errors in copy, and I would certainly recommend her.

Andrew Chapman, Prepare to Publish

I hired Michelle to proofread an 85,000-word book of genealogical research containing numerous images, maps and family trees. As a fellow editorial professional, I was looking for high standards when I hired Michelle, and I was not disappointed. I have nothing but praise for her care and sound judgement. She saved me from several embarrassing errors and sensitively suggested helpful improvements. Her queries and corrections were clear and easy to take forward. The work involved meticulously checking around a thousand years' worth of genealogical data against the narrative and the family trees, and Michelle handled this part of the job with great competence. Her communications were professional and timely throughout, and I always felt fully appraised of progress in the work and against the budget. I would wholeheartedly recommend Michelle's proofreading service.

Hazel Bird

Michelle is a gem. She guided me with care, patience and expertise through the entire proofing process. She went beyond just proofreading to provide invaluable advice and comments that gave my manuscript added sparkle. Hiring her was the best decision I made. Highly recommended.

Andy Williamson, author and historian

I could not have chosen a better editor than Michelle. As well as tidying up the text of my book, she identified several areas in the narrative that needed improvement and suggested much better alternatives. Her extensive knowledge of Victorian society was invaluable in making sure that I had correctly understood social factors that were an important part of the book.

I asked Michelle if she would write the blurb for me, and she has done an excellent job on that too – concise, punchy, yet still incorporating the main points of the book. Michelle promptly answered my questions with friendly and helpful replies. I am about to start a new project, and I hope Michelle will agree to being my editor when it’s finished.

David Smith, author of Agnes Marshall: From Scullery Maid to Victorian Celebrity Cook

For my debut book, I needed someone to do some lightweight copyediting and proofreading, and I found Michelle's details on the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading website.

As a new indie writer, I had never used the services of an editor before and wasn't sure what to expect, but Michelle's communication was excellent throughout. She was professional, helpful, reassuring and kept me up to date so I knew exactly what was happening, and when.

Her suggested edits were really helpful and she spotted things that I’d missed, such as the overuse of particular words. And she provided really useful feedback too.

Michelle was very honest and only charged me for the time that it took her to complete the work, which ended up being less than the initial quote. And it was done in a very timely manner.

I would definitely use Michelle again if I needed this type of service in the future.

Hanh Tat, author of Life as a Jigsaw Puzzle: A Little Book About Love