Andrew Dawson

Andrew Dawson - Editor

Falmouth, UK

Expert copy editor and proofreader with 20 years' experience. I love working with career guide, self-help, business and memoir authors.

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Overview


I have a passion for helping authors produce their best possible work.


I specialize in copy editing and proofreading and particularly enjoy working on books in the self-help, career guide and business genres, as well as memoirs.


The common thread? These authors want to help others like them by sharing their experiences, whether it’s a former Scotland Yard detective explaining how to solve murders (an Amazon bestseller), an entrepreneur sharing the secrets of their success, a spiritual journey, or one of the many career guides that I've edited in a range of professions, from veterinary medicine to modelling. They are great people to work with.


With 20 years’ experience in journalism, communications and publishing, I like to think I’m a great person to work with too, and I know how to meet your high standards.


I began my career as a reporter and quickly learned the value of a good editor who can help shape and improve writing, while preserving the author's integrity and spirit - and how demoralising and frustrating it can be to have your work edited insensitively.


These lessons have guided the subsequent 15 years of my career as an editor of newspapers, magazines, self-published books and professional publications, and I will always treat your work with the empathy and respect it deserves.


I’ve been the news editor of six weekly newspaper titles with a readership of more than 50,000, checking hundreds of stories every week produced by a team of eight reporters. I’ve also managed a busy government press office, with responsibility for the quality and accuracy of all press communications for an organisation with 23,000 employees and a £1bn budget, as well as editing a 24-page residents’ magazine delivered to around 500,000 households three times a year. There’s no margin for error when you’re the last port of call before hundreds of thousands of copies are printed, so you can rest easy that I’ll spot those typos!


This background has also ensured that I am very versatile and, since becoming a freelance editor, I’ve sensitively honed the writing of authors in a wide range of topic areas, from architecture (various textbooks published by the Royal Institute of British Architects) to sci-fi (Finality, the latest novel by award-winning novelist Marcus Martin); from to nutrition (Immunity Hi, Virus Bye-Bye) to psychology (Damaged People).


I’d love the opportunity to do the same for you.

Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Architecture
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Management
Career Guides
Health & Wellbeing
Psychology
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Science Fiction

Certifications

  • NCTJ post graduate diploma in newspaper journalism

Work experience

Freelance copy editor, proofreader and writer

Self-employed
April, 2017 – Present (almost 6 years)

• Proofread various academic publications for the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)
• Copy edited and proofread latest sci fi novel by award-winning author Marcus Martin
• Copy edited and proofread dozens of career guides, self-help publications, business titles and books on health, nutrition and psychology

Senior Press Officer

Hertfordshire County Council
September, 2008 – January, 2017 (over 8 years)

• Managed a team of four press officers with responsibility for enhancing and defending the reputation of an organisation with a £1bn budget and more than 20,000 employees
• Responsible for ensuring all communications issued (press releases, press statements, web articles and social media posts) were timely, clear, accurate and reflected the values of the council
• Editor of the 24-page residents’ magazine, Horizons, which was delivered to 480,000 households three times a year; role included copyediting and proofreading content from a range of sources from across the council

News Editor

Herts & Essex Newspapers Ltd
February, 2007 – September, 2008 (over 1 year)

• Managed a team of eight reporters on a busy news desk
• Responsible for the content of six weekly titles in the Mercury series, spanning east and north Hertfordshire, with a combined readership of around 50,000
• Copyedited and proofread hundreds of stories every week to tight deadlines

The Sales Upgrade: Mastering The Seven Rs of Selling

Hans J Van Order

If you are a talented and ethically grounded sales professional, the most effective way for your customers to get what they want is to do what you tell them to do. Stop “asking for the sale,” and start recommending it. The Sales Upgrade will immerse you in an experiential sales methodology which will allow you to connect on a human level, create value outside of your products and services, and... read more

If you are a talented and ethically grounded sales professional, the most effective way for your customers to get what they want is to do what you tell them to do. Stop “asking for the sale,” and start recommending it. The Sales Upgrade will immerse you in an experiential sales methodology which will allow you to connect on a human level, create value outside of your products and services, and... read more

PHPP Illustrated: A designer's companion to the Passivhaus Planning Package

Sarah Lewis

Passive House is a leading low energy building standard. An important tool for designing Passive House buildings is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). This book is an essential guide to the PHPP, and sets out clear and easy-to-follow steps for inputting and understanding a building in PHPP. Fully-revised and updated, this new edition provides essential updates on the latest version of ... read more

Passive House is a leading low energy building standard. An important tool for designing Passive House buildings is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). This book is an essential guide to the PHPP, and sets out clear and easy-to-follow steps for inputting and understanding a building in PHPP. Fully-revised and updated, this new edition provides essential updates on the latest version of ... read more

Small Practice and the Sole Practitioner

Marianne Davys Architects Ltd

This book is a practical guide for students or those already running or thinking of running a small practice on how to set up and run a small architectural practice and how to run multiple small projects efficiently. It is split into three distinct sections: Part 1 begins with the practicalities of setting up a small architectural business; Part 2 goes into detail on how to run your small prac... read more

This book is a practical guide for students or those already running or thinking of running a small practice on how to set up and run a small architectural practice and how to run multiple small projects efficiently. It is split into three distinct sections: Part 1 begins with the practicalities of setting up a small architectural business; Part 2 goes into detail on how to run your small prac... read more

Property Metamorphosis: From rat race to property developer and educational business owner

Munoz, Jay, Camisan, Mr Alex, Buffandeau, Mrs Julie, Richards, Mr Mark, Gurung, Mr Krishna, Tonks, Mr David

Andrew has 59 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Domingo Armengol
I worked with Andrew for my editing and proofreading of my first book. I couldn´t be happier with the work done. He was super professional and easy to work with throughout the entire process. The attention to detail was perfect and I appreciate the feedback to improve the quality of the book. Thanks to Andrew I was able to publish a book I am very proud of.

Domingo Armengol, February 2023

Andrew Dawson
Thanks Domingo, it was a pleasure to work with you!

Reply from Andrew Dawson


Stewart Mair
It was a pleasure working with Andrew and he met all expectations. I would recommend his services.

Stewart Mair, January 2023

Andrew Dawson
Thanks Stewart, it was a pleasure working with you too.

Reply from Andrew Dawson


Brian White
Andrew delivered excellent notes, feedback and made the manuscript much more readable. His attention to detail cleared up many of the existing errors. On top of that, he delivered all of this well ahead of schedule. I was very pleased with the professionalism and timeliness of his editing. I would definitely look forward to working with Andrew for similar manuscripts in the future.

Brian White, December 2022

Andrew Dawson
Thanks Brian, I hope we can work together again soon. Best wishes, Andrew

Reply from Andrew Dawson


Domingo Armengol
Andrew is an excellent professional. His punctuality, commitment and work methodology is admirable. It was my first book and had so many concerns and questions about how to make it happen. Andrew, helped my during the process and turned the manuscript into a final version of the book! I am so happy I've worked with Andrew in this project and I will for sure work with in the future.

Domingo Armengol, November 2022

Andrew Dawson
Thanks Domingo, it was a pleasure to work with you too. Best wishes, Andrew

Reply from Andrew Dawson


Eitan Lee
Professional delivery, punctual, did not leave a stone unturned, and pleasure to work with. I'd book again.

Eitan Lee, October 2022

Andrew Dawson
Thanks Eitan, I hope we can work together again. Best wishes, Andrew

Reply from Andrew Dawson

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