Hannah Close - Editor
I'm a copyeditor and proofreader with a love of fantasy and romance, as well as in-house experience of academic book publishing.
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Overview
If you want your story to be the best that it can be, then I can help you. As a writer myself, I understand just how much time, energy and feeling you have put into your book. I will treat your words with the utmost respect and strive to help you tell your story as clearly as possible.
Always an avid reader (yes, I was one of those kids who read with a torch under the covers in bed, when I was supposed to be asleep!), I particularly enjoy fantasy, classic literature and romance. I have two degrees in literature and have read many books on creative writing, so I know exactly what makes a good story, what the 'rules' are for each genre - and when and how they can be broken.
I will use all of this knowledge to ensure that each sentence of dialogue is in-character and moves the plot along, to pick up on any elements of inconsistency such as a character's hair or eye colour - or name! - changing part way through, and to help make the reading experience as smooth as possible with no errors in grammar or spelling to trip your readers up. (Well, as few as possible. Perfection is not humanly possible, unfortunately!) This will ensure your text is in the best possible shape for publication, whether that be with a traditional publishing house or down a self-publishing route.
I have been freelance since 2016 and have worked with a wide range of both academic and independent authors. Before freelancing, I worked in-house for seven years with roles in three academic publishing houses in both editorial and production departments, which gave me a thorough understanding of how a book transforms from manuscript into printed product. Let me help you realise your dream of seeing your published book on a bookshelf, whether that's a physical or virtual shelf!
Always an avid reader (yes, I was one of those kids who read with a torch under the covers in bed, when I was supposed to be asleep!), I particularly enjoy fantasy, classic literature and romance. I have two degrees in literature and have read many books on creative writing, so I know exactly what makes a good story, what the 'rules' are for each genre - and when and how they can be broken.
I will use all of this knowledge to ensure that each sentence of dialogue is in-character and moves the plot along, to pick up on any elements of inconsistency such as a character's hair or eye colour - or name! - changing part way through, and to help make the reading experience as smooth as possible with no errors in grammar or spelling to trip your readers up. (Well, as few as possible. Perfection is not humanly possible, unfortunately!) This will ensure your text is in the best possible shape for publication, whether that be with a traditional publishing house or down a self-publishing route.
I have been freelance since 2016 and have worked with a wide range of both academic and independent authors. Before freelancing, I worked in-house for seven years with roles in three academic publishing houses in both editorial and production departments, which gave me a thorough understanding of how a book transforms from manuscript into printed product. Let me help you realise your dream of seeing your published book on a bookshelf, whether that's a physical or virtual shelf!
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Psychology
Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Paranormal Romance
Romance
Certifications
- BA in English and Related Literature
- MA in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture
- Basic Proofreading by Distance Learning
- Proofreading Progress
- Proofreading Mentoring
- Introduction to Copy-editing
- Essential Copy-Editing, Merit
Work experience
Development Editor
Cengage
September, 2014
–
July, 2019
(almost 5 years)
Initially a maternity cover position, I was required to adapt quickly and help out as needed with on-going projects. In December 2014 I secured the position permanently and was given my own projects to manage. This involved organising reviews, commissioning new content for both print and digital resources, preparing manuscripts for production, checking proofs and proofing and editing online content. Following my promotion in March 2015, I took on greater responsibility across more projects including commissioning a new author for a first edition adaptation, which required an overseas visit and negotiation of the contract terms.
Production Editor
Taylor & Francis
November, 2013
–
June, 2014
(7 months)
As Production Editor I learnt how to carry a title through from handover to publication, managing a high number of projects simultaneously. I briefed each title for project managers, checked proofs and final files, organised covers and the printing and binding of the final product. I worked on both UK and US titles with separate styles, spelling and grammar.
Editorial Assistant
McGraw-Hill
June, 2012
–
November, 2013
(over 1 year)
In this role I quickly learnt how to build relationships with authors and reviewers, conduct market research and prepare manuscripts for handover. The biggest challenge of the role was working across two very different lists and having to balance sometimes conflicting deadlines, but this developed my organisation and prioritisation skills to an extremely high level.
Portfolio (12 selected works)
The Canterbury Tales (Group A): A Modern-Spelling Translation
Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales (Groups A-C): A Modern-Spelling Edition
Geoffrey Chaucer
The Goblin Child: and other stories
Michael Forester
Michael Forester’s award winning short stories and flash fiction range from fantasy to young love and old fear, Gay & Lesbian to spirituality & religion, metaphor to morals to literary fiction. Always these powerful, highly original tales are gripping and readable, stories that surprise, illuminate engage and enrich. • A man who remembers his birth in terrifying detail • A woman who is certain... read more
The SEND Code of Practice (2015) reinforced the requirement that all teachers must meet the needs of all learners. This topical book provides practical, tried and tested strategies and resources that will support teachers in making maths lessons accessible and interesting for all pupils, including those with special needs. The author draws on a wealth of experience to share his understanding o... read more
Field Theory is a powerful and growing paradigm within psychoanalysis, but has previously been split between various schools of thought with little overlap. In this book, a distinguished group of contributors from across all perspectives on Field Theory examine its uniting factors and set out future developments and directions for the paradigm within psychoanalysis. Advances in Contemporary Ps... read more
Hope for Children of Trauma
Panos Vostanis
Becoming a Choral Music Teacher
Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman
Managing Health and Wellbeing in the Public Sector: A Guide to Best Practice
Cary L. Cooper, Ian Hesketh
The Role of Education in Enabling the Sustainable Development Agenda (Routledge Studies in Development and Society)
Stephanie E.L. Bengtsson, Bilal Barakat, Raya Muttarak
The Role of Education in Enabling the Sustainable Development Agenda explores the relationship between education and other key sectors of development in the context of the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. While it is widely understood that there is a positive relationship between education and other dimensions of development, and populations around the world show a clear ... read more
Hannah has 4 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Hannah was great to work with I hope to work with her again in the near future.
Lucy Stannage, September 2020
Hannah, has been a pleasure to work with. She was quick to respond to my initial queries and was accommodating when asked to fit around my altered timescales. The development edit that she did on my manuscript pointed out the positives and was constructive in how I could make further improvements. I love her enthusiasm and passion for writing, something that has given me confidence and the bel...
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Lauren Davis, September 2020
Working with Hannah was a great experience. From the get-go, she was quick to respond and answered all my questions while also calming my concerns. The timeline she worked with was very fair—a month to do two full read-throughs of 96k words and analysis—and she provided such detailed feedback. In addition to the analysis, she also provided "first impressions" notes, based on her first read-thro...
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Amanda Losonsky, August 2020
Working with Hannah was great! She is fast, efficient and it appears as if nothing slipped by her. She has the eyes of an eagle! I will definitely be working with her again on my next novel.
Joaquin Torres, July 2020
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