Philippa Thomson

Philippa Thomson – Editor

A reliable, competent and professional researcher, editor and writer. I have years of experience on non-fiction projects.

Overview

I have years of non-fiction book publishing experience: writing, researching and editing. I am also an author myself. I'm willing to offer my services for any art & design books, or projects in the medical or psychology fields. I recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in The Neuroscience & Psychology of Mental Health with King's College London.


My publishing career was spent at Orbis Publishing, Macmillan (a multi-reference work, The Dictionary of Art) and Phaidon Press, but I've tackled numerous projects as a freelancer. I was asked by Alain de Botton to help him advance a number of book projects for The School of Life, which I did in 2020. I was an author and co-editor for an important textbook for Springer in 2022/3.


My areas of expertise cover arts subjects, as well as medical ones, particularly those related to psychology and neuroscience. I'm dependable, and have a pleasant and cooperative disposition - something most of us consider rather important in a work colleague!

Services
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs Education & Reference Health & Wellbeing Life Sciences Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Scientific Essay Award from the Meniere's Society, 2016
Certifications
  • BA Joint Honours Degree, Latin, Ancient History & Archaeology; Postgraduate Diploma Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health; Diploma in CBT Counselling.

Work experience

Freelance

Apr, 2000 — Present
Since moving to Scotland in 2000 I have worked part-time, around the care of my son who has severe and complex special needs resulting from a rare chromosome disorder. I have undertaken freelance research and editing for Phaidon Press, National Trust Publications and Creative Education Trust. In 2013 I wrote an article for the Guardian, and in 2016 self-published a memoir about my experiences with the inner ear disorder SCDS. I have written a series of related online articles and my peer-reviewed article Ménierè’s: Why Its Diagnosis Calls For More Careful Evaluation was published in the BJGP, December 2017. In November 2016 I won joint first prize for a scientific essay for The Ménière’s Society. In January 2023 Springer published the first textbook on Third Mobile Window Syndrome (SCDS and related disorders) which I co-edited. I enjoy working on a very wide range of projects and am reliable and thorough.

Phaidon Press

Mar, 1990 — Dec, 1999 (almost 10 years)
Phaidon Press is an international art and design book publishing company with an outstanding reputation. I was in charge of the Picture Department during the crucial years when the company was being reshaped and revitalised by its new owner Richard Schlagman. I researched and edited many book titles myself, commissioned photographers, and also managed a team of in-house and freelance picture researchers. We worked on titles which covered all aspects of art, architecture and design.

Philippa has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

jemima A.

jemima A.

Sep, 2021

Pinned
I worked with Philippa on a very personal memoir, and Philippa ensured that everything was edited perfectly in record time, that my own writing style was preserved, and that all my many questions were answered. I felt that Philippa was an extremely dedicated and talented editor, with an eye for s...
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Philippa T.
That is a wonderful review, and very kind of you, Jemima. It's been an absolute pleasure working with you on your memoir, and I wish you every success with the book. You very much deserve it, Philippa
Roman M.

Roman M.

Mar, 2021

Pinned
Working with Philippa is an engaging project as a team. She is fast, smart, respectful and to the point. Very smooth and a breeze to work with her.
Philippa T.
The feeling is mutual Roman - thank you very much indeed!
Robert G.

Robert G.

May, 2025

It was a pleasure to work with Philippa. She was highly professional, and provided her results on time. I would be pleased to work with her again in the future.
Farid A.

Farid A.

Sep, 2024

Philippa was extremely helpful in assisting me to progress with this project. I couldn't have done the work without her support. I highly recommend her to anybody in the development phase of their manuscript.
Philippa T.
It has been a pleasure working with Farid and I wish him every success with his important and interesting book project. I know he is dedicated to his subject and it is close to his heart.
Alice Y.

Alice Y.

May, 2022

Philippa has been very generous and professional with her work. I’m very grateful for her proofreading on my manuscript. Hopefully we have a chance to work again soon…
Philippa T.
Thank you Alice. It was a pleasure.

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