Robert Drew

Robert Drew – Editor

A versatile, knowledgeable and supportive editor of non-fiction, with years of experience at major publishers, including CUP and Hachette.

Overview

Hi there. My name is Robert. I'm an editor, proofreader and copywriter with more than a dozen years of professional experience.

I've worked in-house for major publishers, including Cambridge University Press and Hachette UK, across a broad range of subject areas, so I know exactly how great books come into being.

My history degree from Cambridge has made me a careful editor, fact-checker and proofreader of non-fiction. I love historical topics – whether political, intellectual, social or cultural – but I am equally adept at editing, copy-editing or proofreading self-help, travel, gift, humour and more. Please take a look at my portfolio for a selection of the kind of books I have guided to publication with pleasure and professionalism.

From full-colour highly illustrated projects to monochrome texts involving scholarly apparatus, I bring to every job my keen eye for detail and clarity of expression. I am also well versed in stylistic conventions in both UK and US English.

At every stage of the publishing process, I can solve your problems in a timely, elegant and courteous manner. Please do get in touch if I can be of service.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing History Political Science & Current Affairs Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2022 — Present

I provide editorial services to individuals and organisations with a desire to communicate clearly and stylishly in flawless English.

Summersdale Publishers

Apr, 2015 — Sep, 2022 (over 7 years)

My project editorial responsibilities ranged across a trade non-fiction list featuring gift, humour, health, self-help and travel titles. I reviewed, structurally edited, copy-edited and proofread a large number of projects over the course of seven years at Summersdale Publishers, which became part of Hachette UK in 2017. My additional duties included checking of files before print, oversight of the company's house style guide, and assessing and improving editorial copywriting with regard to back cover copy.

Cambridge University Press

Feb, 2012 — Mar, 2015 (about 3 years)

I was chiefly responsible for commissioning, editing and writing back cover copy for titles in the Cambridge Library Collection, which reissued books of enduring scholarly value. I managed a diverse pool of freelance writers, which included academic specialists.

Amberley Publishing

May, 2010 — Feb, 2012 (almost 2 years)

Amberley Publishing focuses on local, specialist, transport and general history. I had wide-ranging editorial responsibility for guiding projects from receipt of materials to print-ready files, specialising in author care, copy-editing and proofreading. My projects ranged from political and military history to full-colour photographic titles.

Portfolio

'A brilliant, passionate and spellbinding tour de force' Claudia Roden'Fuchsia Dunlop is one of the world's best writers on Chinese food' Ken Hom CBE The epic tale of the world's most sophisti... read more
Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
The Light of Asia

Christopher Harding

This rich and enjoyable book by the acclaimed author of Japan Story explores the many ways in which Asia has influenced Europe and North America over centuries of tangled, dynamic encountersFr... read more
Proofreading
'With originality and subtlety, Diarmuid Hester examines how the gay imagination deals with place and with displacement, allowing for mystery and a kind of magic' Colm Toibin'Hester is a fizzi... read more
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
British Prime Ministers

Parker, Robert J.

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Robert has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Patrick W.

Patrick W.

Jan, 2024

Robert was incredible to work with and i would work with him again in a heartbeat. He is dilligent, clearly very experienced, skilled and highly competent. His attention to detail was clear from our first interaction and it never wavered throughout the process. I was particularly impressed with Robert's dedication to reading around the subjects raised in my book so that he had a wider understan...
Read more
Robert D.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Patrick. You brought your vision, passion and wit to the project at all times. The work was stimulating and the trust you placed in me was always appreciated. ...
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carrie G.

carrie G.

Oct, 2023

Fabulous collaboration. Robert went above and beyond with this project, which initially was for a copy-edit but extended into structural help as well. Unlike some editors - when their style seeps into the writing - Robert was connected to my voice and helped me to express things better. I've found the perfect editor for future projects and would highly recommend his services.
Robert D.
Thank you so much, Carrie. That means a lot. I really appreciated your focus, your openness and your humour. It was a great pleasure working with you, and I would happily do so again.

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