Katie Holland, Editor in Busan, South Korea

Overview

I've spent a decade editing for international publishers (The American University in Cairo Press, Saqi Books), humanitarian organisations (clients included UNHCR Egypt) and think tanks (The International Institute for Strategic Studies), focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region.

My editorial experience spans commissioning, developmental editing, copy-editing and proofreading, all with a heavy dose of editorial project management. As much of my professional experience is international, I am skilled at working with authors for whom English is their second language. My knowledge of Arabic, French and Farsi has helped me better communicate with authors and edit with a culturally sensitive eye.

I have specific expertise in copy-editing and project-managing Middle Eastern studies and security studies/international affairs titles, but I am also comfortable working on academic and non-fiction titles in any subject.

I love working closely with authors and believe that a collaborative working relationship is the secret to a successful editing job! I'd be delighted to hear about your latest project and how we could work together.

Services

Copy Editing

Proofreading

Non-Fiction

Business & Management Fashion & Textiles History Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies Political Science & Current Affairs

Languages

English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Commissioning Editor and Associate Editor

The International Institute for Strategic Studies

Oct, 2021 — Feb, 2025 (over 3 years)

~Commissioned and developmentally edited the Institute's blog stream, publishing over 90 pieces in 1 year -Copy-edited and proofread the Institute's flagship publications on topics of international affairs and security/Middle Eastern security -My Arabic-language skills meant I was selected to edit high-profile projects relating to the Middle East; my expertise enabled me to edit texts in both English and Arabic, exceeding expectations for my role -Publications I worked on were highlighted for their quality in company-wide presentations

Freelance copy-editor and proofreader

Freelance

Mar, 2021 — Oct, 2021 (7 months)

-Copy-edited and proofread academic and general non-fiction titles about Middle Eastern politics, history and art; Egyptology; memoir; and translation studies. -My French-language skills enabled me to render a manuscript written by a French-speaking author into more natural English. I received positive feedback from the publisher and as a result I was asked to assess the quality of other manuscripts by French authors. -Client feedback includes: 'I had the pleasure of working with Katie, she helped me tremendously with the editing of my book, and I remain grateful to her for helping me reach the finish line based on the many suggestions she made to the manuscript.' ~Sherif Kamel, author of 'Leading Change in Challenging Times'.

Content Editor

Transcultural Campaigning

Apr, 2019 — Sep, 2020 (over 1 year)

-Involved at all stages of report-writing for an NGO reporting on irregular migration in the Middle East: duties included conducting research (phone and in-person interviews, desk research); rewrites; developmental editing and copy-editing -Developmentally-edited a book for UNHCR Egypt on the organisation's work in the country -Copy-edited and sub-edited documents in various formats, including film scripts, subtitles and blog posts

Project Editor

The American University in Cairo Press

Jul, 2017 — Feb, 2019 (over 1 year)

-Project-managed books across this university press' fiction and non-fiction lists, and carried out copy-editing and proofreading -Worked on prize-winning titles including 'The Watermelon Boys' by Ruqaya Izzidien (winner of the Betty Trask Award 2019) -Trusted by my authors to write recommendation letters for their applications to writers' residencies

Editorial Trainee

The American University in Cairo Press

Oct, 2016 — Jul, 2017 (9 months)

-Proofread non-fiction titles, collated, edited and organised front and back matter, and wrote reader's reports for fiction submissions. -Promoted to Project Editor after 10 months