Samantha Pope - Editor
I'm a writer and editor specialising in children's literacy and literature. Clients include Oxfam, Scholastic, National Literacy Trust.
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Overview
I love being a wordsmith - and that's how I describe myself to people who ask what I do. I write, edit, proofread and teach in English and Spanish, and I also use the spoken word in storytelling. From recounting traditional tales to children and adults to writing my own novels (one of which was shortlisted in a debut novel competition with Trapeze Books) I love experimenting with words.
I earn my crust by working as a primary-school librarian and teaching English language and literature, as well as Spanish, to students of all ages. With a Masters degree in Children's Literature, I have developed a good knowledge of what works with writing for children and I review books on my website which has featured in The Sunday Times and the Telegraph newspapers. Additionally, I have written for the Times Educational Supplement and Teach Primary on the benefits of having a school library.
However, my experience isn't just limited to writing about children's literature. I have also worked with clients such as Oxfam GB and The Oxford Times on editorial projects and features, and I have managed literacy projects for The National Literacy Trust and Edge Hill University. Before this, I was an editor working on graduate career publications and have experience of commissioning writers and designers as well as writing copy myself. Therefore, I am very versatile and can get involved in all aspects of editorial projects - on paper, online and in person.
I earn my crust by working as a primary-school librarian and teaching English language and literature, as well as Spanish, to students of all ages. With a Masters degree in Children's Literature, I have developed a good knowledge of what works with writing for children and I review books on my website which has featured in The Sunday Times and the Telegraph newspapers. Additionally, I have written for the Times Educational Supplement and Teach Primary on the benefits of having a school library.
However, my experience isn't just limited to writing about children's literature. I have also worked with clients such as Oxfam GB and The Oxford Times on editorial projects and features, and I have managed literacy projects for The National Literacy Trust and Edge Hill University. Before this, I was an editor working on graduate career publications and have experience of commissioning writers and designers as well as writing copy myself. Therefore, I am very versatile and can get involved in all aspects of editorial projects - on paper, online and in person.
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Fiction
Middle Grade
Certifications
- BA (Hons) in Spanish from Magdalen College, Oxford University (2.1)
- BA (Hons) in Literature from the Open University (1st class)
- MA (Merit) in Children's Literature from the University of Roehampton
Work experience
Freelance writer, editor and proofreader
Self-employed
March, 2001
–
Present
(almost 19 years)
I have worked for nearly 20 years as a freelance writer, editor and proofreader across both fiction and non-fiction and on screen and on paper. Clients include Oxfam GB, Scholastic, Pearson Education, National Literacy Trust, Edge Hill University and Oxfordshire County Council and as well as providing editorial help and advice, I have also project-managed literacy campaigns.
I love working with the written word and have edited textbooks, fiction books and websites. I am comfortable coming on board at any stage of the editorial process - from initial ideas to commissioning writers and designers, from checking for sense to proofreading. I have a strong eye for detail and am also able to proofread books in translation, to ensure that the English not only makes sense but flows well. I can translate from Spanish, Catalan and French into English.
As a writer, I have had various short stories shortlisted in competitions, and won Theatre Cloud's Tell a Tale competition as part of their UK tour of A Tale of Two Cities: Two years ago, I was shortlisted as a debut author in a competition run by Trapeze Books and single-parent-family charity Gingerbread to find a new voice to positively portray single parents in fiction. The result is my book Keeping Mum, a link to which is below. I self-published the book with amazon to be considered for their new writer competition and am currently seeking an agent/publisher. I have also written a ghost story for young adults which is with a small, independent publisher at present.
Portfolio (10 selected works)
Keeping Mum
Samantha Pope
Grace left her one-year-old baby Emma and her husband David seventeen years ago. Now she's coming back. David is ecstatic - he's dreamt of this moment since the day Grace walked out with no warning or note. He wants to put his past wrongs right but he's also got to make sure that Emma never finds out why Grace left because, if she does, he might lose his daughter's love and respect for ever.
Millions (Read & Respond)
Samantha Pope
Millions
Guided Reading (Ages 10-11) (Read & Respond)
Sarah Snashall, Debbie Ridgard, Sarah Ellen Burt, Samantha Pope
"[Read and Respond] makes it easy to explore texts fully and ensure that the children want to keep on reading more." Chris Flanagan, Primary teacher.A fabulous range of guided reading resources based on the best-loved children's books. This new Teacher Resource Book for Ages 8-9 will focus on small-group guided reading sessions based around 6 of the new Read & Respond titles. These notes inclu... read more
Guided Reading (Ages 9-10) (Read & Respond)
Samantha Pope, Pam Dowson, Eileen Jones, Debbie Ridgard
"[Read and Respond] makes it easy to explore texts fully and ensure that the children want to keep on reading more." Chris Flanagan, Primary teacher.A fabulous range of guided reading resources based on the best-loved children's books. This new Teacher Resource Book for Ages 8-9 will focus on small-group guided reading sessions based around 6 of the new Read & Respond titles. These notes inclu... read more
Guided Reading (Ages 7-8) (Read & Respond)
Samantha Pope, Pam Dowson, Debbie Ridgard, Sarah Ellen Burt
"[Read and Respond] makes it easy to explore texts fully and ensure that the children want to keep on reading more." Chris Flanagan, Primary teacher.A fabulous range of guided reading resources based on the best-loved children's books. This new Teacher Resource Book for Ages 8-9 will focus on small-group guided reading sessions based around 6 of the new Read & Respond titles. These notes inclu... read more
THE BAD SISTER a crime mystery with a killer twist
ANNE PENKETH
MURDER, LIES, AND FAMILY . . . DI Sam Clayton is called to a murder scene in Holt, not expecting to find his estranged sister at the scene. Her husband, Henry Lambton, has been murdered. Clayton is taken off the case and DS Julie Everett continues the investigation.Clayton focuses on a vicious arson attack in Norwich. The fire killed a Polish family in their home. It seems to be part of a seri... read more
Handa's Surprise (Read & Respond)
Samanth Pope
Handas Surprise
Guided Reading (Ages 8-9) (Read & Respond)
Sarah Snashall, Pam Dowson, Eileen Jones, Samantha Pope
"[Read and Respond] makes it easy to explore texts fully and ensure that the children want to keep on reading more." Chris Flanagan, Primary teacher.A fabulous range of guided reading resources based on the best-loved children's books. This new Teacher Resource Book for Ages 8-9 will focus on small-group guided reading sessions based around 6 of the new Read & Respond titles. These notes inclu... read more
Guided Reading (Ages 5-6) (Read & Respond)
Jean Evans, Samantha Pope
"[Read and Respond] makes it easy to explore texts fully and ensure that the children want to keep on reading more." Chris Flanagan, Primary teacher.A fabulous range of guided reading resources based on the best-loved children's books. This new Teacher Resource Book for Ages 8-9 will focus on small-group guided reading sessions based around 6 of the new Read & Respond titles. These notes inclu... read more
Guided Reading (Ages 6-7) (Read & Respond)
Sarah Snashall, Samantha Pope, Jean Evans
Praise for Scholastic's 100 Lessons-Planning Guides: "These books answer my prayers! Having access to long and medium term plans, as well as clear advice concerning progression and key concepts has already helped me to plan ahead. The inclusion of digital content that can easily be personalised is a real bonus, and completely welcome. Thank you, Scholastic for a fantastic resource.' Steven Gib... read more
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