Harriet Power – Editor

HOW I CAN HELP YOU

I specialise in editing educational resources and problem-solving nonfiction books (known in the trade as 'prescriptive nonfiction'), such as professional development books, business and self-help books, and ‘how to’ guides.

I can use my considerable in-house and freelance experience to help make sure your message is as clear and strong as it could be. Whether you need a professional to help shape and develop a rough draft or to simply polish a finished manuscript, I can help to make sure your writing is as accessible, engaging and persuasive as possible.

WHY WORK WITH ME?

I've got over 12 years' experience of editing and shaping manuscripts. This includes 8 years working in-house for large educational publishers like Pearson and Oxford University Press. My in-house experience gave me a solid grounding in a wide range of editorial skills, and really honed my ability to help authors express new or tricky concepts in as simple and engaging a way as possible.

I’ve undertaken relevant training from respected editorial associations. Ongoing professional development is important to me; recent courses I've taken are listed in the Certifications section below.

I’m a writer too. I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of an editor's red pen, and I try to bear this in mind by providing supportive, sensitive feedback (which is nonetheless still honest and critical!). I'm lucky to have a flair for words and I can use this ability to help your writing shine.

I'm a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), which is the main editorial association in the UK, and I adhere to their code of practice.

A FEW TESTIMONIALS

“Harriet is an outstanding editor. She is always encouraging, has a fantastic eye for detail, collaborates creatively and diplomatically, and is clearly determined to oversee and produce quality writing.”

– Conor Doherty, co-author of The Teacher’s Guide to World Music

“Harriet does everything that you would expect from a top-quality editor. She has an uncanny ability to put herself in the mind of the target reader. There can be no doubt that she has radically transformed many of the things I have written and made them so much better than I could have hoped.”

– David Ashworth, co-author of Teaching Music

“Harriet provides a professional, first-class service with an expert eye for detail and builds an excellent working relationship with authors. We know our books are in very safe hands with Harriet.”

– Jonathan Barnes, Editorial Director, John Catt

THE EDITOR'S CREED

Here are the core principles that guide my work.

*Respect the author* Anyone who’s put the effort, time and courage into writing a book should be respected. What they’ve written should also be respected and treated with care. It’s my job to be critical, but I’ll try to critique in a way that empowers and encourages you to write the best book you can.

*Remember the reader* Let’s assume you want your nonfiction book to be read by more than your immediate family, closest friends and nosy neighbour. Connecting with a wider audience means prioritising your readers, and I’ll keep them firmly in mind as I edit. I’ll help you to make sure your book solves your readers’ problems in a clear, engaging and persuasive way.

*Don’t be a pedant* Rhythm and style are just as important as the ‘rules’ of grammar and punctuation, if not more so. (I’ve educated myself in the rules but I don’t get hung up on them. What matters most is readability.)

*Knowledge is important* I’m motivated by the belief that knowledge makes the world a better place and should be accessible to as many people as possible. I love helping experts get their ideas and knowledge across to a wider audience.