David Stanford

David Stanford

I am a journalist and editor, with years of experience in books and news media. I have a particular passion for quality creative writing.

Overview

I am a qualified and experienced editor, with a background in books, magazines, newspapers and online content. Since completing my media studies degree many years ago, I have worked on over a dozen publications in the UK, China and Egypt. I have held many staff positions as an editor, wearing such hats as editorial assistant and senior copy-editor, often taking responsibility for managing teams and improving quality. As a writer, I have earned my living producing news and feature stories, with a particular focus on the environment and development issues, as well as arts and culture. However, the majority of my time has been spent working on other people's copy, improving quality on all levels to prepare the material for publication. In addition, I have some experience of newspaper layout, as well as liaising with designers on various projects. As a freelance editor, I have worked with a wide range of clients, including publishing houses, private companies and public institutions. For several years, I ran my own editorial-services company, helping independent authors to complete the editing and proofing of their manuscripts, as well as assisting with various stages of publication and marketing. I am now working full-time for a global newswire, but I spend much of my spare time on independent publishing projects.
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History Political Science & Current Affairs Travel True Crime
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Society for Editors and Proofreaders: Advanced Professional Member

Work experience

Metok Media

Jun, 2018 — Present

Through Metok Media, I provide editorial services to authors of fiction and creative writing. In addition to copy-editing, proofreading and developmental editing, I also provide blurbs and synopses for self-publishing authors.

Ahram Online

May, 2017 — May, 2018 (about 1 year)

Copy-edited news and feature articles for an online newspaper based in Cairo, Egypt. Covered a wide range of topics, including crime, terrorism, politics, military conflict, environmental issues, economics and the arts.

Keystroke

Feb, 2017 — Jul, 2018 (over 1 year)

Provided book proofreading services to the publishing project-management company Keystroke. Specialized in humanities and social-sciences books for Routledge.

Egypt Independent

Dec, 2015 — Dec, 2016 (about 1 year)

Copy-edited news and feature articles for an online newspaper based in Cairo, Egypt. Managed the copy-editing department, supervising and training copy-editing staff. Covered the full range of newspaper content, from sports to archaeology, civil war to climate change. Decided selection and placement of world-news content.

China Daily

Jul, 2013 — Jul, 2014 (about 1 year)

Copy-edited news and feature articles for an online newspaper based in Beijing, China. Decided content of World News pages on a daily basis, liaising with page editors, designers and foreign-new editors.

John Wiley & Sons

Oct, 2012 — May, 2013 (7 months)

Prepared academic journals for publication, checking proofs and implementing quality control.

Egypt Independent

Mar, 2011 — Feb, 2012 (11 months)

Copy-edited news and feature articles for an online newspaper based in Cairo, Egypt. Designed editorial workflow for launch of the print edition.

Various media outlets

Jul, 2008 — Feb, 2012 (over 3 years)

Contributed news and feature articles to The Middle East magazine, Mideast Monitor, Gulf Life, Business Monthly, The Daily News Egypt and RTÉ Radio. Covered everything from restaurant reviews to the Arab Spring. Also completed freelance editing contracts for the United Nations, the Egyptian Government and Rawi magazine.

Pen & Sword Books

Apr, 2008 — Aug, 2015 (over 7 years)

Edited history books for a leading UK publisher. Specialized in the politics and warfare of ancient Greece and Rome. Also dealt with modern naval history.

The Daily News Egypt

Jan, 2008 — Jul, 2008 (6 months)

Edited news and feature articles for this print newspaper based in Cairo, Egypt. Contributed articles on everything from archaeological restoration projects to armed drugs gangs in the desert.

The Irish Post

Sep, 2002 — Sep, 2004 (about 2 years)

Edited news and feature articles for this weekly newspaper based in London, England. Wrote arts and culture reviews and interviews for its sister magazine.

Stamp Magazine

Jan, 2001 — Feb, 2002 (about 1 year)

Wrote and edited news and feature articles for this glossy magazine based in London, England. Planned content and managed production schedules. Winner of IPC Media's Best Magazine Award for 2001.

New Statesman

Dec, 2000 — Dec, 2000 (less than a minute)

Covered copy-editing shifts for this leading news magazine, based in London, England.

Punch Magazine

Oct, 2000 — Nov, 2000 (about 1 month)

Covered copy-editing shifts for this satirical news magazine, based in London, England.

International Labmate

Mar, 1999 — Aug, 1999 (5 months)

Wrote and edited feature articles for this UK-based laboratory-industry magazine.

The Middle East Times

Sep, 1998 — Mar, 1999 (6 months)

Wrote and edited articles for this weekly newspaper based in Cairo Egypt. Specialized in writing articles on animal rights and environmental protection. Highlights included investigations of illegal trade in ivory and endangered species, prompting a review of Egypt's membership of CITES convention.

Overseas Jobs Express

Jun, 1992 — Dec, 1994 (over 2 years)

Contributed articles on working abroad, both as a yacht-crew and an English teacher.

Portfolio

Nurse, Give Me a Pill for Death (ECG)

Aldona Grupas

As a young woman, Lithuanian nurse Aldona Grupas had a dream. She longed to travel, to explore a new language and culture - and build a new life abroad.Nurse, Give Me a Pill for Death is the story of Aldona's long journey from Lithuania to a new life in Englan... read more
The Sword of Rome: A Biography of Marcus Claudius Marcellus

Jeremiah McCall

Marcellus’ military exploits were largely unmatched by any other aristocrat of Roman Middle Republic. As a young soldier in the First Punic War, he won a reputation for his skill in single combat. In his first consulship, he earned a triumph for defeating a Ga... read more
Pyrrhus of Epirus

Jeff Champion

Pyrrhus was born into the royal house of Epirus, northwest Greece, but his mother was forced to flee into exile to protect his life when he was a mere infant. Yet he prospered in troubled times and rose from a refugee to a king. Always an adventurer he was dee... read more
Prince Of Spring: new edition

Mahir Salih

A convoy of luxury cars speeds along a French promenade, bearing its VIP cargo to a five-star hotel. Suddenly, the early-morning calm is shattered by gunfire and smoke, sirens and screams.The target is Prince Ali bin Kased, the former ruler of an oil-rich Gulf... read more
Age of Invincible: The Ship that defined the modern Royal Navy

Nick Childs

The story of HMS Invincible, a ship whose eventful life story, it is argued, embodies that of the Royal Navy itself during the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st. From her conception and design, through her various deployments (including the Fal... read more
The Indian Ocean Trade in Antiquity: Political, Cultural and Economic Impacts

The period from the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of the Islam (c. late fourth century BCE to seventh century CE) saw a significant growth in economic, diplomatic and cultural exchange between various civilisations in Africa, Europe and Asia. This w... read more
Handbook of Foster Youth

Nancy Trevino-Schafer

Currently, there are over 400,000 youth living in foster care in the United States, with over 20,000 aging out of the child welfare system each year. Foster youth are more prone to experience short- and long-term adverse developmental outcomes including dimini... read more
Intergovernmental Relations in Transition

David K. Hamilton

The field of intergovernmental relations has changed substantially over the past five decades. It maintains a critical and evolving role in the US federal system as well as in public policy and administration. Building upon the legacy of Deil S.Wright’s schola... read more
Turkic Soundscapes: From Shamanic Voices to Hip-Hop (SOAS Musicology Series)

The Turkic soundscape is both geographically huge and culturally diverse (twenty-eight countries, republics and districts extending from Eastern Europe through the Caucasus and throughout Central Asia). Although the Turkic peoples of the world can trace their ... read more
Young Children’s Experimental Cookery

Elizabeth Carruthers

Young Children’s Experimental Cookery encourages Early Years practitioners and teachers to take an innovative and creative approach to introducing young children to food and cooking. The book addresses wider issues such as healthy eating and food preparation s... read more
The New Yearbook for Phenomenology and Phenomenological Philosophy: Volume 15

Edmund Husserl between Platonism and Aristotelianism Aim and Scope: The New Yearbook for Phenomenology and Phenomenological Philosophy provides an annual international forum for phenomenological research in the spirit of Husserl's groundbreaking work and the e... read more
Addressing Special Educational Needs and Disability in the Curriculum: PE and Sports (Addressing SEND in the Curriculum)

Crispin Andrews

This topical book provides practical, tried and tested strategies and resources that will support teachers in making PE lessons accessible, rewarding and exciting for all pupils, including those with special needs. The author draws on a wealth of experience to... read more
Meeting SEN in the Curriculum: Religious Education (Addressing SEND in the Curriculum)

Dilwyn Hunt

This book includes: The case for letting pupils with special needs engage with the 'big issues'; How to use classroom displays to reiterate and encourage learning; Organising and coordinating visits and expeditions.
Roman Military Disasters: Dark Days and Lost Legions

Paul Chrystal

There is a tendency when dealing with world superpowers to focus on their successes. After all, these are what made them superpowers in the first place. However, reverses and disasters suffered on the way to preeminence are equally significant. The experience ... read more
Crisis of Rome: The Jugurthine and Northern Wars and the Rise of Marius

Gareth Sampson

In the later 2nd century BC, after a period of rapid expansion and conquest, the Roman Republic found itself in crisis. In North Africa her armies were already bogged down in a long difficult guerrilla war in a harsh environment when invasion by a coalition of... read more
Mercenaries in the Classical World: To the Death of Alexander

Stephen English

Mercenaries were a significant factor in many of the wars of the Classical world, being employed in large numbers by many states. By far the most famous were Xenophon's 'Ten Thousand', who had to cut their way out of the Persian Empire after the death of their... read more
The Sieges of Alexander the Great

Stephen English

During his spectacular career of conquest Alexander the Great attacked many cities and fortresses, never failing to take them. Such operations occupied more of his time than his famous pitched battles and were at least as vital in securing his vast empire. Sie... read more
Tyrants of Syracuse: War in Ancient Sicily, Vol 1: 480-367 BC

Jeff Champion

This is the story of one of the most important classical cities, Syracuse, and its struggles (both internal and external) for freedom and survival. Situated at the heart of the Mediterranean, Syracuse was caught in the middle as Carthage, Pyrrhus of Epirus, At... read more
The Collapse of Rome: Marius, Sulla and the First Civil War

Gareth Sampson

By the early first century BC, the Roman Republic had already carved itself a massive empire and was easily the most powerful state in the Mediterranean. Roman armies had marched victoriously over enemies far and wide, but the Roman heartland was soon to feel ... read more