Linda D
Rhos on Sea, Conwy, United Kingdom
“Attention to detail leads to success.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BSc (Hons) Geography/Geology
University of Hull
1978–1981
Post-graduate Certificate in Education
Geography
University of Bristol
1981–1982
Favorite referencing style
I prefer APA, as this is the style I have used most in my career.
Why I became an editor
After receiving a degree in geography/geology (BSc Hons 2:1), I was qualified to work as a geography teacher. I taught for a year before relocating to the glorious North Wales coast.
My husband and I were then both employed as junior petroleum geologists for an international geoscience consultancy based in Llandudno. During this period, I was temporarily transferred to the Singapore office to work as an editor/proofreader on a major multi-client study and bring it to successful completion. In 1991, due to my husband’s two-year placement in Jakarta, Indonesia, I worked in the Jakarta office as a freelance editor, again on multi-client studies in oil and gas exploration.
On returning to the UK, I continued to work for the company for the next 25 years, both office-based and freelance. I have a wealth of experience in editing and proofreading single and multi-volume reports, articles for journals, and marketing brochures and proposals. I have extensive experience working with non-native English speakers.
Background and experience
As part of a small team of editors and proofreaders, I worked for many years for an international geoscience research consultancy.
The company prided itself on the quality of its studies and the high standards of its reports. As an editor and proofreader, I was instrumental in maintaining the expectations of its clients.
In addition to editing the final written reports, I was responsible for cross-checking the data illustrated on large-scale maps, posters, tables, and figures.
I was also responsible for proofreading marketing brochures, journal and web articles, and posters for trade shows.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I enjoy proofreading, as I want to make a piece of work the best it can be. If someone has spent time writing a thesis, story, or business article, it’s in their best interest to have it perfected by someone with a keen eye for detail.
Great feedback from a client gives me the satisfaction of a job well done.
Favorite book:
Notes from a Small Island: Journey Through Britain by Bill Bryson
Hobbies:
Coastal and hill walks, reading, watching sports, socializing with friends
Editing tips:
When I first open a document, I scan through it to try to get a feel for the work.
I check that the document is set to the correct language and then ensure that there are no double spaces using the Navigation tool. When I have finished editing/proofreading, I check this again to make sure I haven't introduced any double spaces.
I work on a Clean Copy, then use the Compare tool to create a Track Changes copy to send to the client with the Clean Copy.
