About me
Editing for academics, businesses, and authors
My academic clients need to know their work is style-guide compliant, grammatically sound, and jargon-free, while respecting academic conventions. Importantly, it needs to be clear and accessible to readers inside and outside their community. Whether they've produced a case study, paper, report, or book draft, I help them publish with authority and confidence. I can also style and check references, fact-check, and format.
Businesses and authors need solid grammar and consistent styling too, but they may put greater emphasis on plain English, rhythm and flow, or constructive feedback.
Whatever my clients need, and whether or not they have used AI tools to draft or check their work, I provide professional editorial human support; helpful comments that educate and connect editor and client; and collaboration, kindness, and empathy.
Amanda ... is able to carefully understand the context of the articles and monographs in recommending edits and thought-provoking suggestions. Amanda’s work always results in clearer and more concise documents.
Dr Chander Velu, IfM, University of Cambridge
I have worked with Amanda for many years to improve our policy reports. She is very professional and supportive. She even helped us developing internal style guidelines.
Jennifer Castaneda Navarrete, Feminist Economist, Policy Adviser, IfM, University of Cambridge
Her collaborative approach, and ability to identify ... corrections and ... improvements to text, provide a unique opportunity to learn and to maximise the impact of any copy – regardless of audience and intent.
Will Romeu-Evans, St John's College, Cambridge
And a bit about me, the person
When I left St John's College in 2009 to create Perfect Words, I also created The Sanctuary Angels, a voluntary organisation that raises awareness and vital funds for animals and their rescuers around the world. You can read about our work here. I have three beautiful rescue cats (fur children): Martha, Pablo Pete, and Huey Bee.
I spend a lot of time power walking and cardio dancing, which are excellent mood boosters and a great way to stretch the body after long hours spent at a desk. Taking photos, often at quirky angles, also fills my soul – trees, rivers, flowers, wildlife, and amazing buildings make great subjects. And I have a life-long love affair with two languages, Latin and Italian, which I indulge every day through a variety of immersive techniques.
Finally, I love travelling by train (I'm a train nerd), whether it's a steam train, the LNER Azuma, or the Eurostar. There's no better way to start a city break than on the train, watching the world go by, reading, listening to music, or having random conversations with wonderful strangers.
What experience will I bring?
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Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
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A decade at Heffers Booksellers (Cambridge)
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A decade at St John's College (Cambridge), finishing as Publications Officer
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More than 17 years as a freelance proofreader and copy-editor working with universities, colleges, charities, businesses, book authors, students, and academics
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Extensive training and CPD with the CIEP and Publishing Training Centre (PTC)
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Proof Pro (Hazel Bird, The Better Edit)
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Bachelor degree in Latin and English (2.1)
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More than 17 years running The Sanctuary Angels, managing a small team of volunteers, raising more than £100,000 for animal rescue, and running educational campaigns