Overview
‘Zara has an eye for detail. She understands what you’re trying to say and politely corrects you without changing the meaning or making you feel bad. As someone who’s semi dyslexic, I really needed Zara’s help when I wrote my (award-winning) book, Goodbye Glossophobia. She is brilliant.’ – E Stanhope
‘It has been my pleasure to have Zara as a key member of Filament Publishing for eleven years. During this time she has demonstrated that she is a very capable administrator and project manager, as well as being an accurate proofreader and book designer.’ – C Day
It does not matter if you have read and re-read the text multiple times or have asked a family member to read it... Those errors will still slip through. You need someone with fresh eyes.
Your book is your baby, but I promise to take good care of it. I have worked in publishing for over 14 years, specialising in typesetting and proofreading, and have a meticulous eye for detail. I am effective under pressure and will make sure your book is returned to you on time.
I have experience in many genres across non-fiction and fiction.
Titles I have worked on include:
• Amazon bestseller 'The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book' by Dee Blick
• 'The Warm Up: The story behind the Lycra with television’s Mr Motivator' by Derrick Evans
• Amazon Kindle bestseller 'Feel It to Heal It' by Caroline Purvey
• 'Goodbye Glossophobia' by Esther Stanhope, awarded Highly Commended at the Business Book Awards 2020
• 'VIBE', a high-quality, full-colour coffee table book by Heather Prince and Jo Baldwin Trott
• 'Live Happy' by Rebecca Myers, winner at the Janey Loves Platinum Awards 2024
As a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, my average hourly rate adheres to industry standards as advised by the CIEP.
As a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), I confirm that I comply with their codes of standards; have no connection to businesses that have failed to comply or have been denied Partner Membership in the past; charge rates that adhere to industry standards; maintain a professional business; and have received positive feedback from reliable clients.
Services
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing & Proofreading (CIEP)
- Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
- Essential Copy-Editing: Editorial Skills Two (Publishing Training Centre)
- Essential Grammar (Publishing Training Centre)
- Editing with Word (Society for Editors & Proofreaders)
- Basic Proofreading: Editorial Skills One (Publishing Training Centre)
- Freelance & Feature Writing, Honours Diploma (London School of Journalism)
- Photography, NCFE Levels 1-3, Croydon College
- Copyright for Editorial Professionals (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading)
- Proofreading PDFs: A complete guide for editors (Publishing Training Centre)
Work experience
Self-employed
Typesetting and proofreading for various clients, including independent authors.
* Trading as Print-Ready Editorial since November 2024 *
Book Brilliance Publishing
I am responsible for:
• overseeing books through the production schedule
• typesetting
• proofreading
Filament Publishing
During my 11 years at Filament, I project managed more than 250 titles through the production chain from start to finish, including typesetting and proofreading many of the titles.
Multiple Sclerosis Society, Croydon Branch
Responsible for planning, producing and editing 10 newsletters a year for over 300 members and associates in the London Borough of Croydon.
CVSA-UK
Voluntary proofreader of the bi-annual newsletter for the CVSA-UK, a small, registered charity.
Portfolio
