Isla Aitken

Isla Aitken – Editor

A book coach, developmental editor and copy editor, I cheerlead authors through their creative journey.

Overview

Trained in journalism, a sub-editor for 20+ years, with a diploma in PR, and author of a memoir about my experience of breast cancer, I offer a book coaching, developmental editing and copy-editing service, supporting first-time writers and self-publishing authors through their creative journey. I especially like to work on memoirs, biographies and how-to books; and am a self-appointed cheerleader for those with dyslexia or issues related to writing.

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Choose one or all three of my services as part of your book-publishing package:


🗓 Book coaching

Get accountability, deadlines and feedback to help you complete your project.


👩‍💻Developmental editing

Receive an extensive feedback report on your finished manuscript so you know you’re on the right track.

✍️Copy editing

Have your final copy’s punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc, checked, corrected and cleaned up.

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What clients have said:


“I know how daunting it can be getting your book to print. The moment Isla got involved I knew straight away that she was engaged with the whole process. Her feedback made it all less ominous and was very thorough with her attention to details.”


“You were a superstar on the entire process.”


"Isla provided a great, efficient, friendly and professional service. She exceeded my expectations from my first enquiry to the final version of my piece."


"You have been so lovely to work with, I did appreciate your encouragement and positive guidance."

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If you'd like support and guidance writing your book, and your final copy polished to shiny perfection, email me at

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Career Guides Health & Wellbeing Parenting & Families Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sociology
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Works with
Weebly Wix WordPress
Certifications
  • NVQ level 4 journalism
  • CIPR diploma in PR (merit)
  • CIEP certificate in editing digital content

Work experience

Self-employed

Dec, 2019 — Present

Editing, proofreading and copywriting service and consultancy, providing a voice to suit every client, in language to suit every audience.

Ellis IP Ltd

Aug, 2013 — Dec, 2016 (over 3 years)

Promoting Ellis IP, an IP consultancy, through events, exhibitions and the media; overseeing the voice of the company on social media; overseeing updates of the company website; communicating with clients; initiating relationships with potential clients; producing company newsletter.

Self-employed

Jan, 2011 — Dec, 2019 (almost 9 years)

While raising my young children, I wrote my own fiction, and was also a communications consultant for local community groups and charities.

The East Lothian Courier

Sep, 2008 — Sep, 2009 (about 1 year)

Designed and laid out pages for three weekly newspapers in the Clyde & Forth stable, devised headlines, fact checked, rewrote copy, oversaw production, sent pages to printer, liaised with journalists and production team, enforced deadlines, contributed to streamlining of production process. Required the ability to work with precision at high speed.

Stuff magazine

Jul, 2003 — Oct, 2006 (over 3 years)

Duties included setting deadlines, creating flatplans, chasing writers for copy, pre-subbing copy, cutting to fit layouts, writing heads, sells and picture captions, fact checking and rewriting where necessary, sending pages to and liaising with repro, signing off cromalins. Managed one sub editor. Also wrote news-in-brief and design/fashion features; news for Stuff website; and copy for sponsored competitions. Dealt with reader enquiries and frequently communicated with manufacturers, PRs and advertisers.

OK! magazine

Dec, 2000 — Dec, 2002 (about 2 years)

Supported chief sub editor and oversaw work of three sub editors. Delegated features to subs, chased copy, pre-subbed and fact checked, liaised with agents, PRs, advertising and picture desk. Cut copy to fit layouts and wrote picture captions. Signed off cromalins at repro. Also wrote features. Required patience and diplomacy on frequently fraught occasions.

Self-employed

Jun, 2000 — Jul, 2003 (about 3 years)

At various dates I worked sub editor shifts at: GQ, Arena, New Woman, That's Life, The Mercury newspaper, the Financial Times, What Car?, Now, Sunday Mirror Night & Day magazine, Jane's Intelligence Review and customer magazines for BMW and the BBC. I fact checked, rewrote and cut to fit layouts.

Boots Health & Beauty magazine

Jan, 2000 — Jun, 2000 (5 months)

Chased copy, proofread and rewrote where necessary, liaised with client (Boots the Chemist) to sign off and fact check copy, cut to fit layouts; managed one freelance sub editor.

FMC

Feb, 1999 — Dec, 1999 (10 months)

Managing editor of Independent Dentistry magazine - chased writers, rewrote copy, laid out Quark pages, cut copy to fit, fact checked, liaised with repro/printer, signed off cromalins; was also assistant editor of Dentistry Monthly.

Projects

Pas de Deux with the RSM

Proofreading, typesetting, design and production of a memoir.

The Changing Man

Copy editing and some developmental work on a crime/thriller novel.

Portfolio

A chilling ghost story, which will leave you with sweat trickling down your spine. The narrator returns to the place she lost her lover - what, or who, will she find there? A short story that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck
Diagnosed with breast cancer while on holiday in Japan, editor, one-time environmental activist and wannabe politician Isla distracts herself with tourist adventures - including snorkelling in the South China Sea, learning about slipper etiquette and negotiati... read more
The Changing Man

Bradley, KD

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