Anna Neima - Editor
Passionate, eagle-eyed editor with a history PhD from Cambridge. I specialise in non-fiction – especially history, biography and memoir.
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Overview
I'm a freelance editor, historian and writer with a PhD in history from the University of Cambridge. For four years I was an editor for Connell Guides, a series of scholarly, yet approachable, guides to English literature and history – working on subjects as diverse as the American Revolution and Nazi Germany, the Tudors and the French Revolution. In a freelance capacity, I've worked on books on topics ranging from popular science and world photography to family history and biography, and have also helped smooth out the prose of works in translation.
While specialising in history and biography, I'm happy to edit manuscripts on practically any non-fiction subject. In particular, I have worked in a freelance capacity for several years copywriting, editing, proofing and project-managing web content, three recipes books and a collection of newsletters for a leading organic vegetable box company.
I'm eager to work with authors at all stages in the writing process – from offering developmental guidance on manuscripts in the draft phase, to copy-editing and proof-reading before self-publishing or submission to publishers. With my background studying, writing journal articles and giving tutorials at Cambridge, I can bring a high level of academic precision to a project. I'm equally enthusiastic about the challenge of helping create non-fiction that's accessible and compelling for the general reader.
I published a non-fiction history book in June 2021 with Picador, on experimental community-building across the world after the First World War. I also have a monograph in preparation with Cambridge University Press ('The Many Lives of Dartington Hall', 2022).
I worked for a lawyer for three years, and I am always interested in using my training in editing writing on the subject.
While specialising in history and biography, I'm happy to edit manuscripts on practically any non-fiction subject. In particular, I have worked in a freelance capacity for several years copywriting, editing, proofing and project-managing web content, three recipes books and a collection of newsletters for a leading organic vegetable box company.
I'm eager to work with authors at all stages in the writing process – from offering developmental guidance on manuscripts in the draft phase, to copy-editing and proof-reading before self-publishing or submission to publishers. With my background studying, writing journal articles and giving tutorials at Cambridge, I can bring a high level of academic precision to a project. I'm equally enthusiastic about the challenge of helping create non-fiction that's accessible and compelling for the general reader.
I published a non-fiction history book in June 2021 with Picador, on experimental community-building across the world after the First World War. I also have a monograph in preparation with Cambridge University Press ('The Many Lives of Dartington Hall', 2022).
I worked for a lawyer for three years, and I am always interested in using my training in editing writing on the subject.
Languages
English (UK)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Education & Reference
History
Law
Nature
True Crime
Certifications
- MPhil History University of Cambridge
- PhD History University of Cambridge
- BA History University of Cambridge
- GDL College of Law
- LPC College of Law
Awards
- Society of Authors/K Blundell Trust Award for Work in Progress (2020)
- University of Cambridge Honorary Vice Chancellor’s Award for PhD
- Prize Grant from the Cambridge Centre for History and Economics
Work experience
Copywriter and Editor
Riverford Organic Farmers
October, 2015
–
April, 2018
(over 2 years)
Freelance editor and copywriter for Riverford Organic Farmers. Researching, writing and project-managing for three books, newspaper articles, online copy and newsletters.
History Editor
Connell Guides
January, 2015
–
Present
(over 7 years)
Commissioning, copy-editing, proofing and fact-checking history guides aimed at A-level students and the general reader.
Portfolio (6 selected works)
The Connell Short Guide to The General Strike 1926
Laura Carter
For nine days in May 1926 more than two million British workers did not go into work. They were striking in support of the British coal miners who were in an acrimonious dispute with their private employers, the mine owners, over wages and working hours. The situation forced the government to respond with an unprecedented level of state intervention in the everyday lives of ordinary Britons. I... read more
The Connell Guide to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Caroline Sharples
Ever since the collapse of the Third Reich, historians have grappled with a fundamental question: how was such a brutal, genocidal dictatorship possible in a modern, cultured nation in the middle of the 20th century? There are essentially two competing views: one, that Hitler was an all-powerful dictator fully in control of his government; the other, that Nazi decision-making was much more con... read more
There has never been agreement on how to understand the French Revolution, and probably never will be. It divided not only France, but all Europe, as soon as it began. The philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke, who had supported American independence, condemned it as something in nitely more dangerous, while his former friend, Thomas Paine, called for Britons to join the Franco-American tide ... read more
The reign of Edward VI, England’s boy-king, has alternatively been characterised as catastrophic or boring. But should it really be bundled up with his sister Mary’s as a “mid-Tudor crisis”? Was he a pawn in the hands of his advisors, or did he actually wield some power? Did “good duke” Somerset truly champion social justice while “bad duke” Northumberland’s power-hungry plotting brought the c... read more
The campaign for female political suffrage which erupted in the years before World War One was the most significant expression of feminist activism in British history. But the suffragettes were divided in their aims: should they try and win the vote for all women, or only for those in the middle and upper classes? They were divided, too, about tactics. Were the militants vital to the campaigns... read more
Queen Mary – or “Bloody Mary” as she’s better known – has a strong claim to be the most reviled monarch in English history. Her reputation has always been overshadowed by that of her much-eulogised half-sister, Elizabeth, and she has been memorably dismissed as “the barren Catholic bigot who married an unpopular Catholic prince”. But was she really as weak-willed and unpleasant as she’s been m... read more
Anna has 6 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This was my first editor experience and with my visual disability I had no real idea what to expect or how it would work. Anna was polite and responsive to the edit enquiry and included a brief sample edit.
The non-fiction manuscript was returned earlier than intended in the offer which added to my personal nerves and worry. Anna included an explanation of how to use the check changes in the ...
Read more
David Stewart, July 2021
Anna’s a wonderful editor and is remarkably precise in her own use of language. This helps my sometimes imprecise use, and complements my writing. Her bid was fair and she gave prompt replies and a sample of her edits (which is always desirable to writers).
I’m only sorry to lose her editing help to her research career, but was lucky to have her during the time I did.
Thanks.
mark calogero, July 2021
I found it a pleasure to work with Anna. Her editing was extremely thorough and I hope has improved the quality and readability of my book immensely. Do not use her if you want a simple 'tick' to pass a work. However, I can completely recommend Anna if you want thorough professionalism.
The edits were completed on time and captured my original feelings while improving the grammar, clarity and...
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Guy Singer, June 2021
Reply from Anna Neima
Anna did a brilliant work with my father's memoir which I translated from Hungarian. Her general, historical, and editorial knowledge is outstanding.
Attila Farkas, April 2021
Anna is punctual, personable and thorough. We had some technical glitches which were frustrating on both sides, but the work was completed quickly and to a high standard.
Kathleen Mansfield, October 2020
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