Jane Hammett
Advanced Professional MemberLocation | LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Bedfordshire |
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Mobile | 07895 179 056 |
Web | www.jane-hammett.co.uk |
I specialise in two areas: (1) editing and proofreading fiction (children's, Young Adult, adult) for independent authors and (2) proofreading/editing for businesses and publishers.
Fiction: I work with independent/self-publishing and traditionally published authors: I help to polish your work while retaining your voice.
Does your novel need a critique, development editing, copy-editing or proofreading? Contact me for a chat.
Businesses: It's important to produce clear, clean, error-free copy for customers. I ensure that a business’s communications are all written in easy-to-understand English that is aimed at the right level for their customers.
I edit websites and company literature (letters, annual reports, brochures, press releases, blogs, sales/marketing/promotional material, etc.) to ensure consistency and a professional finish.
Please see my website for more information, or get in touch to discuss how I can help you with your project.
Media I have worked on: books (fiction for adults and children, non-fiction, multi-author, illustrated, encyclopaedia), CD-ROMs, PowerPoint slides, magazines, journals, newsletters, educational materials and workbooks.
Here are some of the projects I've been proud to work on recently.
Fiction and non-fiction for children
Chris Ryan: The Special Forces Cadets series (Hot Key Books)
Kate Scott: Just Jack (Bonnier Zaffre)
Jo Cotterill: Jelly (Bonnier Zaffre)
English Skills series (Schofield & Sims)
Write Well handwriting series (Schofield & Sims)
Incredible Facts about Dinosaurs (Parragon)
Emotionary: Say what you feel (Palabras Aladas, Spain)
Richard Heddington: Henry the Hedgegnome series
Mallory Leigh: The Golden Amulet
Storytime magazine
Young adult fiction
Marcus Sedgwick: Saint Death (Orion Children’s Books)
Keris Stainton: My Heart goes Bang (Bonnier Zaffre)
Zana Fraillon: The Bone Sparrow (Orion)
Pete Begler: The Fearless Travellers’ Guide to Wicked Places (Curious Fox)
Fiction and non-fiction for adults
T.M. Logan: The Holiday (Zaffre)
Eva Woods: The Lives We Touch (Sphere)
Dawn Harper: Live Well to 101 (Headline)
Elizabeth Kilbey: Unplugged Parenting (Headline)
Copy for a travel agency, a fashion magazine, a PR agency, local councils, construction companies, a zoo, a nature reserve, a wildlife organisation, a therapist and other businesses
Hannah Ellis: The Cottage at Hope Cove, Beneath These Stars and Beyond the Lens
Erica Ridley: Lord of Chance
Jennifer Joyce: A Beginner’s Guide to Saying I Do
Luan Wise: Relax! It’s Only Social Media
Carl Vernon: The Less Stress Lifestyle (Headline) and Anxiety Rebalance
David Hodgson: What Else Can A Teacher Do? (Crown House Publishing)
Conor Jameson: Shrewdunnit: The Nature Files (Pelagic Publishing)
Mark Avery and Keith Betton: Behind the Binoculars (Pelagic Publishing)
Encyclopaedias
- Entries in Wiley-Blackwell’s The International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment and Technology (ed. Richardson et al.)
- Entries in Wiley-Blackwell’s Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration (ed. Ness)
Skills
Copy-editing, rewriting, proof-editing, proofreading (PDFs/on screen/hard copy, using BSI proofreading markup symbols or Adobe Reader’s editing tools), proofreading e-book/Kindle/mobi/epub files, Anglicising, writing in plain English. Software: Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader DC, Adobe Digital Editions
Recent training
Fiction editing mini-conference (March 2019)
SfEP annual conference (September 2016, 2017, 2018)
Developmental Editing of Fiction: Intermediate (Editorial Freelancers Association) (March 2018)
Psychic (narrative) distance workshop run by Emma Darwin, Nottingham (2017)
Introduction to web editorial skills, On-screen editing 1, Working for non-publishers, Proofreading problems (all SfEP)
Recent clients
Bonnier Zaffre, Headline, Little, Brown, One Third Books, Schofield & Sims, Osiris Educational, Curious Fox, businesses and independent authors
Subjects
Animals (behaviour, husbandry, welfare), earth sciences, education (pre-school, early years, primary), English language, English and Scottish literature, Scottish language (Doric), literary criticism, the environment (conservation, nature, wildlife, birds, birdwatching, ornithology, countryside), geography, history, humanities, midwifery, parenting (child development, Asperger's syndrome, speech therapy), personal development (pregnancy and childbirth, relationships, self-help/popular psychology, anxiety, depression), religion (Christianity), social sciences (crime/criminology, sociology), horses (dressage, show jumping), gymnastics
Children's fiction: pre-school books, picture books, rhyming books, chapter books, middle grade, Young Adult (YA)
Adult fiction: crime, thriller, mystery, romance, erotica, women's literature, popular fiction, chick lit, biography, autobiography, memoirs
Other subjects also considered.
Testimonials
Jane has been a massive part of my writing dream. She has encouraged me to dig deep, research and learn new writing skills. I am truly grateful for all her help and advice. She is an amazing teacher. I wouldn’t want anyone else to edit my work.
Faye Clark, author of Harper's Fate and Harper's Fortune
I find it hard to express how grateful I am to have found Jane to work with. My stories would not be what they are without her input and experience. Any writer who finds her will be lucky indeed! She has taught me so much.
Lily Dyu, author
Jane worked with me on my third Archer and Baines crime novel, and definitely helped to make it a better book, picking up typos, spotting inconsistencies and overuse of words and phrases, and asking challenging questions about aspects of the plot. She is a pleasure to work with, professional and friendly, and I'm looking forward to having her on my team next time.
Dave Sivers, author of Evil Unseen
Jane is everything you want in an editor and more. She helped make my books the best-sellers they are today. I wouldn't consider using anyone else.
Carl Vernon, author of The Less Stress Lifestyle and Anxiety Rebalance
Jane is an excellent copy-editor and proofreader and I have no hesitation in recommending her.
Annette Abel, Wiley-Blackwell project manager
Jane has worked for me for 15 years on many books (across all age ranges) and I have always found her to be thorough and conscientious. She always meets deadlines and is very reliable.
Jane Hughes, editorial manager, Orion Children's Books
I worked with Jane on four of my books and I recommend her services unreservedly. She has an eagle eye for inconsistencies and a deep understanding of language. It was a pleasure working with someone who is always pleasant, always on time and highly professional.
Natasha Mostert, author
Jane's experience and knowledge have been a great support since I launched my blog and online business. By working together, both editing and proofreading, she has helped me to publish high-quality content not only on my own website and marketing products, but as a guest writer for other blogs. Most valuably for me, Jane has encouraged and guided me, and helped me to improve my writing skills. I now see Jane as a valued part of my support team. Thanks, Jane!
Jo Warwick, counsellor
Jane Hammett was one of a team of copyeditors working on a highly complex multi-volume reference work under my project management, and proved herself competent, cheerful and helpful, co-operating well as part of a team of five copyeditors over a period of several months.
Janey Fisher, Wiley-Blackwell project manager
I have been pleased to employ Jane Hammett in various publishing capacities and have found her to be efficient, conscientious and thorough. Her work is completed to deadline and she has a friendly and competent manner.
Felicity Marsh, Wiley-Blackwell project manager
Jane has been a great support. She has edited my first series of children's books, and her feedback and kindness have made the process much smoother and more positive. I've really valued her views and guidance, and how quickly she has got back to me. Many, many thanks.
Caroline Meek, author of the Chloe and the Weatherbys preschool series
Jane has been amazing. Her copy-editing brought my children’s story to life, after many months lying dormant. She is supportive, competent, talented and did a great job. Thank you so much.
Debra Harris, author of Cats Behaving Badly
From my first email to Jane, I felt as though I was in safe hands: she has a professional but friendly approach, and is pleasantly efficient. She is also honest. I think that one of the most important attributes in an editor must be to tell the truth. In addition, Jane made suggestions and comments and gave me ideas throughout the script, all of which I believe will add to readers' enjoyment of the book. I was really impressed. Excellent service.
Gordon Warden, independent author