Andrew Dawson - Editor
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.
Services
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
Portfolio (54 selected works)
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
The Unstoppable Freelancer: How to master freelancing, build a sustainable career, and enjoy life
Cicmil, Jovan, Cicmil, Ksenija
So, You Wanna be a Travel Nurse?: An Insider's Guide to Getting Started
Buccere, Constance
The Transfortainer: How to have big impact as a small brand by bringing joy and meaning to your audience
Person, Mats, Busby, Sarah, Dawson, Andrew
The Compliance Entrepreneur's Handbook: Tools, Tips, and Tactics to Find Your Killer Idea and Create Success on Your Own Terms
Grant-Hart, Kristy, Liston, Kirsten, Murphy, Joseph E.
The Optimal Digital Marketing Model
Barros, Yannis
Practical Project Management: Proven Framework That Great Project Managers Use In the Real World
Nizhebetskyi, Dmytro, Dawson, Andrew
10 Personal Skills for your Career Success
Ebbah, Enock A.
Killed Out: Hunting the Corporate Herds
Templin, Lion
It's All Your Fault: How a Growth Mindset Helped Me Get Control of My Life and Business
Dustin Lloyd, James Jackson, Dustin Lloyd
Master Creator Destroyer Slave: The Four Steps to Freedom
Howard, Christopher
Mindful Self-Discipline: Living with Purpose and Achieving Your Goals in a World of Distractions
Dienstmann, Giovanni, Baumeister PhD, Roy F.
FREEDOM: Navigating the Middle Path between ORDER and CHAOS
DeMaria, Michael P.
'Allo Blah Blah' Jobs: Kids’ Perspective on Bullshit Jobs and How to Find Inner Peace and Freedom Beyond Work
Mahihenni, Hadi, Belhadj, Nabil
Mom and Dementia and Me: A Caregiver's Journey
Leona Upton Illig
Survivor The Truth I Speak
Campbell, Mymie
Finality: A Metaphysical Sci-Fi Novel
Martin, Marcus
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
The 10 Deadly Distractions to your Success & Dreams
Pannell, Aquan
My Ukraine: A History of Ukraine Witnessed by Four Generations
Komarova, Irina
Startup Ready: A practical approach to get started on your business idea
Armengol Arcas, Domingo
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
Heating Up and Cooling Off: The Meditation of Bathing
Davis, Bethany
Conscious Choices: How to Live Consciously
Posner, Mark A
Andrew has 59 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
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
Reply from Andrew Dawson
It was a pleasure working with Andrew and he met all expectations. I would recommend his services.
Stewart Mair, January 2023
Reply from Andrew Dawson
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
Reply from Andrew Dawson
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
Reply from Andrew Dawson
Professional delivery, punctual, did not leave a stone unturned, and pleasure to work with. I'd book again.
Eitan Lee, October 2022
Reply from Andrew Dawson
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Dr Robert Mallett
A supportive and experienced book editor who can help authors produce high quality, readable books.
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Thoughtful, efficient and friendly non-fiction editor with over 15 years' experience of all stages of the production process.
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