Richard Isaac

Richard Isaac – Editor

Copy editor with foreign language expertise, specializing in various nonfiction, academic, and technical materials, from books to blogs

Overview

Hello! As a nonfiction specialist (and lifelong language wonk), I have edited a variety of materials by both native and non-native English speakers — from scholarly to self-help books, from academic journals to community newspapers, from travel guides to ad copy and online content — on numerous topics, for assorted audiences, and using various style guides.

I take pride in accuracy, attention to detail, communication, and consistency. I work well both independently and collaboratively, within constraints and under deadlines. I have also studied ten languages (foremost: Spanish, Swedish, Hebrew, and Arabic) and traveled somewhat widely, which has aided my editing.

I hope that when you are ready for copyediting, my fresh eyes will add clarity and value to your hard work and put it in the best light. I look forward to helping your project shine!

Services
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference History Judaism LGBTQ Non-Fiction Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Political Science & Current Affairs Travel
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Editing, University of Washington

Work experience

University of Washington Press

Jul, 2017 — Present
Copyedit scholarly manuscripts in the social sciences, focusing on history, politics, culture, anthropology, medicine, and the environment in East and South Asia, the South Pacific, South America, and the US (incl. the Northwest); also essays on Hebrew in America • Proofread: book on Latinos in US popular music, entirely in both English and Spanish

Self-employed

Jan, 2009 — Present
EDITORIAL SERVICES including COPYEDITING, SUBSTANTIVE EDITING, and PROOFREADING with foreign language expertise and academic, technical, and medical experience. Former board member of the Northwest Editors Guild.

Various

Jan, 1997 — Present
• Books: instructional textbooks (Swedish, Chinese) • treatments/scripts for comic book • manuscripts for a personal memoir/family history, humorous travel book, suspense novel, self-help book, instructional manual, and customizable wedding ceremony • Also: journal/periodical submissions on literature, history, politics, archaeology, and medicine • magazine articles • theses, dissertations, reports, proposals • treatments for prospective TV series • web content

Seattle Gay News

Feb, 2015 — Present
Copyedit news articles, press releases, and essays on LGBT issues, on deadline • Created house style sheet and story outline spreadsheet Also: similar work for Stonewall News Northwest; Out NW (Queer Publishing); Unite Seattle Magazine

Nomadic Matt

Jan, 2015 — Jan, 2025 (about 10 years)
Copyedited blog posts and newsletter emails for one of the top travel bloggers • also: e-books, nine guidebooks, online courses, and newsletter emails Also: similar work for Be My Travel Muse blog

Cosmic Strands

Jan, 2015 — Jun, 2020 (over 5 years)
Copyedited academic journal articles by non-native speakers; also chapters of a veterinary medical textbook and other technical materials Also: similar work for Prioridade Consultoria Ltda

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
The Other Milk: Reinventing Soy in Republican China

Fu, Jia-Chen

University of Washington Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Healing with Poisons: Potent Medicines in Medieval China

Liu, Yan

University of Washington Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Material Contradictions in Mao's China

Altehenger, Jennifer

University of Washington Press

Copy Editing
Good Formulas: Empirical Evidence in Mid-Imperial Chinese Medical Texts

Chen, Ruth Yun-Ju

University of Washington Press

Copy Editing
Slapping Leather: Queer Cowfolx at the Gay Rodeo

Ford, Elyssa

University of Washington Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

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