Overview
I'm an accomplished and creative multi-channel editor, content creator and copywriter. I develop products too. I've edited books about, amongst other things, Michelangelo and American Art, and project managed titles on rock music, popular science, movies, and history. Lots and lots of history. I have also branched out recently into literature and philosophy, expanding my mind as well as my product portfolio!I can manage your project for you, from start to finish, or just look after the parts you think need my expertise the most. Whatever the job, you'll benefit from my more than 20 years' publishing experience.
Services
Non-Fiction
Antiques & Collectibles
Art
Biographies & Memoirs
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Education & Reference
History
Music
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Work experience
Various
Sep, 2017 —
Present
Since returning to freelancing again in September 2017 I've been fortunate enough to work with a great range of publishing houses across a broad spectrum of themes. I've edited sports books for Biteback, an illustrated history of the world for Arcturus, encyclopedias of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome for Amber Books, titles on the Cosmos, Ancient Egypt, the Vietnam War and much more for Dorling Kindersley (DK), and quite a bit more besides. I've even proofed new translations of works by Friedrich Nietzsche and Jules Verne, and advised on product development (and marketing) for global publishers Hachette and DeAgostini and publishing and marketing agents 50 Watt Consulting. I've written four books (so far): The Deep State (published 2020) and Chernobyl (published 2022), and The Story of Oil (to be published Spring 2025) and Nikola Tesla (a biography, to be published Autumn / Fall 2025).
Atlas Editions
Apr, 2007 —
Sep, 2017
(over 10 years)
Atlas Editions was the direct-to-consumer arm of global publishing group DeAgostini. As Head of Editorial and Product Development I created more than 50 highly successful products for the UK and overseas. Some of these were self-generated in areas such as military history and family reference, others were licensed products, working with brands and icons such as Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Wars, Thunderbirds, Dinky Toys, Disney and the BBC.
I edited every word of copy we produced, wrote some it - and even contributed a fair amount of the marketing material too.
Various
Sep, 1992 —
Mar, 2007
(over 14 years)
I began my editorial career subbing and writing for the UK magazine History Today. From there, I moved into book publishing, including Guinness World Records, art publisher Phaidon's Michelangelo biography and their American Art Book. I edited many titles for entertainment heavyweights John Blake Books, then it was off to continuity specialists IMP, developing international series covering computing, natural history, classical music and pop music. After leaving IMP I freelanced as a writer and editor in music, history, general interest, art, science, humour, sport and biography.
Portfolio
"This compelling story of the writing and recording of Led Zeppelin IV is full of passionate insights into the mayhem, madness, and creative processes behind one of the most influential albums of all time. This book explains how Led Zeppelin, recognized as the... read more
Rome may have fallen in the late fifth century CE, but more than 1,500 years later its mark on Europe and around the Mediterranean is still evident. It's not just in the roads, aqueducts and settlements, though, that Rome's immense legacy can be found. Or even... read more
From the Battle of Marathon to the Minotaur, from the Acropolis to Aristotle, from Theseus to the Theban hegemony, from slavery to Sparta, The Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece is a fascinating fully illustrated reference work, spanning both political history, so... read more
With the emergence of the internet new forms of crime became possible. From harassment and grooming to fraud and identity theft the anonymity provided by the internet has created a new world of crime of which we all must be aware. The threat of hackers reaches... read more
Think of the Renaissance and you might only picture the work of fine artists such as Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Van Eyck. Or architecture could spring to mind and you might think of St Peter's in Rome and the Doge's Palace in Venice. Or you might cons... read more
If you don't know your Baroque from your Rococo, or the difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, or where Modernism ends and Postmodernism begins, then don't fear, you're not alone. Understanding Architecture will reveal all. From the ancient world to the ... read more
The Great Sphinx of Giza, painted friezes in pyramid chambers, and symbolic paintings of the eye of Horus are familiar and breathtaking works of art. Yet behind them lies a deep cosmological tapestry in which the origins of the Earth and riches brought by the ... read more
Most books about the Beatles reveal the big picture first and ask questions afterward. This book reverses that approach. Revolution takes a fresh and often funny look at the magnificent and sometimes idiotic career path of the Beatles through the prism of one ... read more
The revolutionary techniques of 'genetic fingerprinting' has meant convictions, long after they committed their crimes, for the evil men who mistakenly thought they had escaped detection. This book highlights and explains the future that lies ahead for DNA res... read more
Pick any page, and get your history fix!Leave it to Uncle John to find a new way to make history fun and exciting! This quirky collection of lists is the latest volume in the Bathroom Reader’s best-selling history series. These 508 pages will breathe life into... read more
History repeats itself as Uncle John once again takes the plunge into the past! For our big number-two, we dug ever deeper into our bottomless vaults to bring you more of history’s most colorful characters, cultural milestones, funniest mishaps, and earth-shat... read more
This text gives an overview of the most influential American artists and their works. Covering three centuries, it sets out to encourage readers to contemplate the connections between art, American history, and popular culture. Each artist is represented by a ... read more
The Follow up to his debut 'UnLearn', Humble The Poet takes both himself and the ideas he discusses to deeper levels.
'What could have happened to me?... How did I soar to such heights, above the rabble sitting by the well?'Ecce Homo is Nietzsche's compelling autobiography, written in 1888, just weeks before he succumbed to madness.Nietzsche's last great work, a fascinating a... read more
For millennia, the silk roads have been the arteries of international trade. Today, these ancient routes still play a key role. Over the ages, the passages across the region have shifted and evolved due to changing political circumstances, environmental forces... read more
Beginning with the first "talkie", "The Jazz Singer" (1927), this book covers the 1000 best movies of this century. Each film is defined by a series of quick reference icons, with star profiles for each year featuring best actor and actress, birth and, where a... read more
A rebellious youth who chose a career as an artist against his father's wishes, Michelangelo (1475-1564) went on to be recognized as one of the outstanding talents of his age. Such was the degree of fame and wealth that he acquired that he became a legend with... read more
Following the same successful formula as The Art Book, The Photography Book and The Fashion Book, The Movie Book is an A-Z guide to 500 celebrated individuals who have made a landmark contribution to the medium of film. The entire industry is represented - fro... read more
