Overview
Alex James is a freelance copy editor and proofreader, based in Leeds, United Kingdom, with a passion for science fiction and fantasy!
I’m trained as a copy editor and proofreader, however, I have experience of the self-publishing process, having written and published four of my books so far. I know what it's like to be an author, and I can relate to some of the concerns authors have about their stories before and after publishing. I’ve worked with independent authors on science fiction, dystopian, fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, drama, fantasy-romance, and short stories.
My services: I’ve carried out critiques, copy editing, and proofreading. I like to think my copy edit is a ‘copy edit and a half’. Please visit my website for more details on my copy editing service, what others have said; or get in touch.
I’ve qualifications in copy editing and proofreading from the Publishing Training Centre (PTC) and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) when it was the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) before 2020. I hope to attend the next CIEP conference, and to take more courses in future years to consolidate my knowledge.
I also have experience working on non-fiction for organisations and companies: interviews, reviews, features, articles, book blurbs, blog posts, biographies, promotional copy, and press releases.
In my spare time I read science fiction, fantasy, historical, and classics and I review them on my blog. I’m a fan of the Dune series, among others. I write, rewrite, and sweat over my own writing, usually larger works like novels, based on characters with Asperger Syndrome. I like the dynamic between weakness and strength there. I’d say I’m obsessive about improving my own writing. I love engaging with writers. On occasion I play chess online.
Services
Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Basic Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre
- Proofreading Progress - Society for Editors and Proofreaders
- Introduction to Copy Editing - Society for Editors and Proofreaders
- Introduction to Fiction Editing - Society for Editors and Proofreaders
Work experience
The State of The Arts
Editing book and film reviews, interviews, informal news features, and events. I also drafted events and posts to Wordpress.