Helen Galloway

Helen Galloway – Editor

Copy-editor and proofreader with over 20 years' experience and still a stickler for detail!

Overview

Proofreading dictionaries is not for the faint-hearted, but that’s how I cut my teeth as a proofreader over twenty years ago. As a freelance compiler working on bilingual dictionary projects for a variety of German and British publishers, proofreading was an essential part of the job. And, at the end of a long project, it often needed to be done in a fraction of the time originally allocated to it. That certainly taught me speed and accuracy.

As well as my dictionary background, I have also worked for many years as a freelance copy-editor, mainly on language-learning materials, but also commercial and academic texts. I am now hoping to expand the range of subjects I specialize in as a copy-editor and proofreader to reflect my personal interests in all types of fiction, literature, history, art, cookery, gardening, health and the natural world. Much of the work I edit has been written by non-native speakers of English, which adds an extra dimension to the editing process. It has taught me how to shape a natural-sounding text, and has also turned me into a self-confessed pedant who pounces on any inaccuracies or inconsistencies in style, spelling, grammar or punctuation. It can make reading for pleasure really tricky sometimes, but gives me great job satisfaction.

Not only can I offer you a fast, accurate and efficient copy-editing and proofreading service, but I also take great pride in my reputation as a reliable and flexible worker. After so many years as a freelancer, I’m still amazed at how grateful clients are when I deliver a piece of work on or ahead of time or respond flexibly to their requirements. Aren’t reliability and flexibility an essential part of being a freelance copy-editor and proofreader, as well as accuracy and speed? They certainly are in my book.

I look forward to assisting you with your project.
Services
Fiction
Anthologies Horror
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • PhD in German literature from the University of St Andrews
  • MA (Hons) in German from the University of St Andrews
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Translation from the Institute of Linguists in London
  • Chapterhouse Proofreading Certificate

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2003 — Aug, 2019 (over 16 years)

Projects include language courses, grammars, vocabulary, easy readers, teenage
slang and phrasebooks for the following companies:
Langenscheidt GmbH & Co. KG (2003-2019)
Duolingo (2021-2023)
Hueber Verlag (2016)
John Murray Learning (2018)
Hodder and Stoughton (2015-2017)

Self-employed

Sep, 1999 — Present

As well as compiling the content, I have also been responsible for proofreading all the dictionary projects I've worked on. Clients include:
Langenscheidt GmbH & Co. KG (2002-2019)
Oxford University Press (2016-2017)
Kernerman Dictionaries (2015-2016)
Larousse (2003-2006)
HarperCollins Publishers (2000-2002)
Chambers Harrap (1999-2000)

Self-employed

Apr, 2009 — Present

Main client: Forlaget Columbus (Danish educational publisher: since 2021). Titles edited and proofread include:
'Choices' by Mette Hermann
'Listen! Podcasts in English' by Olsen and Houlind
'Divided Kingdom: Brexit and Beyond' by Hess Thaysen and Debel Christensen
'Boomerang – Australia: race, identity, nature and horse thieves' by Bo Høpfner Clausen and Jesper Kaalund
'UK Now – An Introduction to Modern Britain' by Jakob Sinding Skött and Casper Sylvest.

Other clients include:
Gyldendal Uddannelse (Danish educational publisher: since 2009)
Systime (Danish educational publisher: since 2021)
Copenhagen Game Lab (2016-2018)
Copenhagen Capacity (2011-2018)

Portfolio

Langenscheidt Standard Dictionary German (Langenscheidt Standard Dictionaries)

Langenscheidt

The leading classroom reference and the favorite of students and teachers in high schools and colleges, this dictionary offers a wealth of entries in a clear, simple and easy-to-use layout. De... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Langenscheidt And pigs might fly - mit Redewendungen und Quiz spielerisch lernen: Bildhaft sprechen mit 250 englischen Redewendungen

Galloway, Helen

Copy Editing Proofreading
Langenscheidt Sprachkurs für Faule Englisch 2

Linn Hart, Paul Hawkins

Copy Editing Proofreading
Langenscheidt Sprachkurs für Faule Englisch 1 - Buch und MP3-Download

Hart, Linn

Copy Editing Proofreading
Langenscheidt Sag's auf Deutsch - Say it in German: The 1,000 most essential German words

Helen Galloway

Say it in German! Learn just 1000 words and you will be able to use 80% of everyday vocabulary quickly and confidently. It is ideal for beginners learning basic vocabulary for the first time, ... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Living German: A Grammar-Based Course

R. W. Buckley

This new 7th edition includes an up-to-date culture and vocabulary guide, allowing you to broaden your knowledge of contemporary language and customs.Do you want to learn German or brush up wh... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Berlitz Englisch lernen mit Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark

Copy Editing Proofreading
Berlitz Englisch lernen mit Stephen King

Stephen King

Copy Editing Proofreading
Willkommen! 1 (Third edition) German Beginner’s course: Activity book

Heiner Schneke

*This listing is for the activity book. Willkommen! 1 is also available as a Course Pack, coursebook, and CD & DVD set.* Willkommen! 1 German Beginner's Course is a best-selling multi-format G... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Collins German Concise Dictionary, 5th Edition (Collins Language)

HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

This practical, versatile edition of the Collins German Dictionary offers comprehensive coverage of today’s language with more than 200,000 entries and translations. This is the most complete ... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Oxford School German Dictionary (English and German Edition)

Oxford Dictionaries

Oxford School German Dictionary
Copy Editing Proofreading
Langenscheidt Deutsch für Faule - The German Language Course for Lazy Learners (English Edition)

Langenscheidt

Learning German with a difference! This language course for minimalists and people without patience is based on the principle of less is more. In 10 mini lessons the learner practices the most... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading
Larousse German Phrasebook (Larousse Phrasebook) (German and English Edition)

These pocket-size books are a must-have for travelers. Each book contains a 7,000-entry bilingual dictionary and phrasebook, complete with sample sentences and phonetic transcriptions to aid i... read more
Copy Editing Proofreading

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