Brian Stout, Editor in Alexandria, VA, USA

Overview

Hi! My name is Brian and I have about eight years of professional experience writing and editing. While at Foreign Policy, the most widely read international affairs periodical in the world, I copy-edited two articles that received nominations as finalists for major national awards. I've spent most of my career in government agencies, where my products will never see the light of day, but that's how I became skilled at tailoring writing for various audiences; I've written and edited reports for the U.S. president, members of Congress, Army generals, and Fortune 500 executives. I have a specialized background in African affairs and hold a master's degree in European studies, so if that's what your book is about, I'm the editor for you. Anything in the nexus of geopolitics, security, economics, and history is in my wheelhouse. Let me help make your writing shine!

My editing style is straightforward and my criticism always aims to bring out the best in your writing. I understand that being edited is not always fun, but you should know that I have fun editing and see myself as a playmaker whose job it is to pass the ball for you to score.

Services

Copy Editing

Proofreading

Non-Fiction

Economics History Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies Political Science & Current Affairs

Languages

English (US)

Awards

Finalist, 2018 Livingston Awards: "10 Murders, 3 Nazis, and Germany's Moment of Reckoning" by Jacob Kushner (I copy-edited)
Finalist, 2017 National Magazine Awards: "Present at the Creation," "How the Islamic State Seized a Chemical Weapons Stockpile," and "The Greatest Divorce in the Jihadi World" by Harald Doornbos and Jenan Moussa (I copy-edited)

Certifications

MA in European Politics and International Relations, Maastricht University
BA in Philosophy and Religion, James Madison University

Work experience

Copy Editor

Foreign Policy

May, 2016 — Nov, 2018 (over 2 years)

• Copy-edited and proofread breaking news and long-form web articles ranging from 400 to 8,000 words in length (averaging 17 articles per work week and never missing a publication deadline)
• Edited established columnists (e.g. Stephen Walt, Max Boot, Thomas Ricks), well-known and lesser-known contributors, and FP staff writers
• Wrote a review of Jon Meacham's biography of George H.W. Bush, 'Destiny and Power,' published online
• Edited a 7,500-word report on Libya's liquidity crisis published online by the Libya Herald

Copy Editor

U.S. Government (contractor)

Jan, 2022 — Aug, 2022 (7 months)

• Edited analytic products supporting key U.S. national security and foreign-policy objectives to ensure alignment with style guide standards, proper sourcing, and correct formatting

Editorial Consultant

Self-employed

Nov, 2019 — Oct, 2020 (11 months)

● Edited articles comprising the Center for Strategic and International Studies's executive education program, 'Understanding the Russian Military Today'
● Wrote 'It's Africa's Turn to Leave the European Union,' published online by Foreign Policy magazine

Corporate Communications Writer/Editor

U.S. Department of State (contractor)

Dec, 2018 — Oct, 2019 (10 months)

• Designed, developed, and produced a biweekly newsletter distributed to 1,100 staff featuring articles I wrote highlighting global developments in consular affairs, such as citizenship-by-investment programs, visa liberalization, and the effects of Zimbabwean passport printers running out of ink
• Edited technical documents related to consular systems and technology, distilling IT language for a broader audience

Africa Research Editor

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (contractor)

Oct, 2015 — Feb, 2016 (4 months)

• Managed multiple simultaneous open-source collection projects addressing customer requests for information on topics including security, economics, and infrastructure in a 53-country area of responsibility
• Wrote a 12,000-word profile on a country's history, culture, security, economy, and 'jihad route' that was highlighted as the lead article in my company's monthly publication distributed to all clients