Sarah Newton-John – Editor

Dear Author Joining Us On Reedsy,

Hello, nice to meet you! I’m Sarah, an Australian who has been living in Spain since 2018. I work as a copy/line editor, freshly minted developmental editor, certified proofreader, regular Substack writer, and occasional heartfelt poet.

I love what I do each day for regular clients—and new ones like you! :)

I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Sydney and a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship from the University of New South Wales. In 2020, I passed the examination at the Proofreading Academy to further my professional development.

I find the process of editing brings me close to the soul and voice of the writer. It is an intimacy that leads to mutual goodwill and professional positivity.

Here is my focused approach to your manuscript:

– I will developmentally edit your MS and provide you with a report and marked-up version if you need developmental editing.

- I will copy edit/line edit to creatively improve the text in each phrase, sentence, and paragraph to enhance natural (and human) English flow and readability.

- I will add shape to your text to bring out the distinct flavor of your writing, offering suggestions on structure and content, and asking questions as an educated and engaged reader.

- I will fact-check and arrange your citations in proper order according to an agreed style.

- I will proofread for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, lexical choice, repetition, and consistency, etc.

- I will sustain open-minded concentration on your pages until I am satisfied that my revisions, suggestions, and comments have immeasurably improved your manuscript.

(There is more...!)

For my employment background, here is my current and recent activity:

—Proofreading medical and allied health textbooks with global science publisher, Elsevier, since 2008.

—Copy editing and proofreading the peer-reviewed medical journal, Pathology, for former in-house employer, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, since 2020.

—Copy editing the academic journal Education for Health since 2024 (USA)

—Lead Copy Editor at Asia Research Media since 2022.

—News writing experience in eight-hour shifts, six days a week at Euro Weekly News, Spain (2023)

—Sub-editing and writing for the mass market magazine That’s Life! including compiling crossword puzzles (in a previous lifetime!)

My career began with a role marketing academic books for Allen & Unwin on campus (I am still suited to working with persuasive content). I eventually settled into 12 years of specialized (non-medical) medical sector roles (Woolcock Institute of Medical Research; Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia; Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand).

I live in Spain´s rural northwest, Galicia, with my lady partner, two dogs (one Australian and one Spanish), three hens, and our darling Julio, the Siamese tomcat.

I will make your book the very best it can be!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Sarah :)