Overview

Editor/Project Manager/Picture Researcher/Copy Editor/Content Developer/Proofreader: Creative and articulate, I am a positive and self-motivated person who has proven leadership, managerial and administrative skills. Highly organized with the ability to manage a heavy workload, I adapt to many different tasks and challenges with a confident and enthusiastic approach. I possess strong problem-solving skills and can juggle even the most limited resources to bring a project in on schedule and within budget (and looking beautiful!).

With over 25 years in the book publishing industry I have worked both inhouse and on a freelance basis for some of the leading illustrated non-fiction publishers in the UK and further afield including Octopus/Hachette; Quarto; Abrams; Princeton University Press; MIT Press; The Smithsonian; GMC Publications; The History Press; Thames & Hudson; Laurence King Publishing; The Bright Press; Ilex; and UniPress Books.

I have managed entire editorial departments and extensive publishing lists, as well as working on a more intimate basis on individual book projects from start to finish. I have worked in both acquisitions/commissioning and live books so I have experience of every stage in the book-making process, including the pitfalls and how to navigate these successfully!

My specialist subject areas are:

Popular culture
Photography
Fashion
Architecture
Lifestyle
Interiors
Craft/Making
Visual Culture
Illustration
Design
Art
Film
Natural History
Nature
Science
Cookery
Mind Body Spirit

However, I am extremely happy to apply my skills and knowledge to any subject given the opportunity.

I am also author of 'Handmade Lampshades' (5 star reviews on Amazon), 'The Wallpaper Colouring Book' (5 star reviews on Amazon), '#NoFilter: Rediscovering the Alchemy of Photography' (published April 2019 by Laurence King Publishing), and 'Picasso (a leading title in the Biographics series by Ammonite Press/GMC Publications Ltd., published 2019)'.

I am passionate about books and all things visual, and pride myself on building solid professional relationships. I very much look forward to working with you.

Services

Developmental Editing

Languages

English (UK)

English (US)

Non-Fiction

Architecture

Art

Design

DIY & Crafts

Fashion & Textiles

Health & Wellbeing

Home & Garden

Photography

Certifications

First Class BA (Hons) History of Art / Spanish

Co-founder / Managing Editor

GreyMatter Editorial

February, 2014 – Present (over 8 years)

Co-founder of GreyMatter Editorial, a resource for budding authors, publishers and packagers
offering the following services: concept origination and development, copy editing, picture
research, copywriting, proofreading, fact checking, project management, writing and pre-press ready packaged book projects.

Project Editor

UniPress Books

November, 2019 – March, 2022 (over 2 years)

Freelance project editor/picture researcher/copy editor/proofreader for UK-based illustrated non-fiction book publisher, UniPress Books, specialising in general readership natural history/science titles published in collaboration with university presses in the USA. Titles I managed include:

The Story of Life in 10 1/2 Species - Marianne Taylor (MIT Press)
The Lives of Fungi - Britt Bunyard (Princeton University Press)
Wasps - Eric R. Eaton (Princeton University Press)
How to Read and Insect/Understanding Insect Behavior - Dr Ross Piper (The History Press/Princeton University Press)
Brave Green World - Chris Forman and Claire Asher (MIT Press)
How Birds Live Together - Marianne Taylor (Princeton University Press)
Visual Learning: Chemistry - Dr Ali O. Sezer (Barron's/Kaplan)
Birds of Instagram - Chris Gatcum/David Allen Sibley (Abrams)
The Lives of Seaweeds - Julie A. Phillips (Princeton University Press) - to be published
The Lives of Beetles - Arthur V. Evans (Princeton University Press) - to be published
How to Read a Rock - (The Smithsonian) - to be published
Jellyfish - Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin (Abrams) - to be published

Senior Commissioning Editor

Ivy Books/Quarto

January, 2019 – November, 2019 (10 months)

Overseeing the publishing list and new acquisitions. Maintaining successful existing series and developing new publishing areas.

Ivy Press: Publisher of illustrated non-fiction titles. Subject areas include science and natural history,
mindfulness, general reference and popular culture.

Managing Editor

Ilex / Octopus

March, 2010 – July, 2017 (over 7 years)

I managed the photography list for many years and created the highly successful film series, FilmCraft. High-profile authors I worked with include Michael Freeman (The Photographer's Eye; The Photographer's Mind; The Photographer's Vision; Michael Freeman's Photo School); Mike Goodridge (FilmCraft series); Jack Spicer (How to Draw series; You Will Be Able to Draw By the End of this Book); and Thomas Pavitte (1000 Dot-to-Dot; Querkles).

Ilex / Octopus / Hachette: Publisher of illustrated non-fiction titles. Subject areas include all aspects of design, photography, art and popular culture.

Editorial Director / Co-founder

AVA Publishing / Bloomsbury

June, 2001 – March, 2008 (over 6 years)

Co-founded the company with two colleagues. I oversaw the publishing list and in particular researched and developed the academic list AVA Academia. Highly successful series that I conceived are The Fundamentals of... and the Basics series. Company was acquired by Bloomsbury.

Publisher of highly illustrated books covering subject areas such as graphic design, photography,
typography, illustration, animation, film-making, product design, fashion design, interior design
and architecture.

Managing Editor

RotoVision SA / Quarto

August, 1996 – May, 2001 (over 4 years)

Publisher of illustrated non-fiction titles. Subject areas include design, craft, art, photography and
popular culture.

I worked my way up from Editorial Assistant to Managing Editor in just under three years. I managed a list of 30 titles per year and the editorial department.

High-profile authors: Peter Ettedgui; Mike Goodridge; Deborah Nadoolman Landis; Declan McGrath; Mark Russell (Screencraft film series)