Jeremy Butterfield Editorial Services
Professional MemberLocation | The cybersphere, and Yorkshire. But nowadays, does physical location matter? |
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | |
Landline (08:30-17:30) Mon-Fri | 01904 701 443 |
Mobile | Available after initial contact |
Website | https://jeremybutterfield.wordpress.com |
Jeremy Butterfield |
Skills
- Meticulous on-screen copy-editing and proofreading, in Word or pdfs;
- Development editing;
- Structuring your thoughts to make them compelling;
- Tone of voice;
- Creating or editing website content;
- Editing non-native academic English;
- Translating non-technical Spanish into English;
- Copywriting; and
- Dictionary editing/lexicography.
My knowledge of Spanish, Italian, French and German often comes in useful, especially when working on English written by speakers of those languages. I have also created and delivered courses on effective and clear writing.
Media
- Books
- Journals,
- Language courses
- Websites
- Online materials
- Dictionaries
A freelance copy-editor and copywriter since 2006, I have edited across a wide range of subjects, from academic articles to language-learning materials, online language tips and website copy. In my more than 20 years' publishing career I clocked up thousands of hours of copy-editing and proofreading. Apart from editing, I also write non-fiction, and OUP publish my revised edition of the classic Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage. And, having worked on dictionaries for most of my publishing career, I use words with precision. (And yes, it's ok to begin a sentence with 'and'.)
Recent Clients
Copy-editing
Yale University Press, Sacred Knowledge, Caroline Cecil Associates, West Suffolk Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Centre, Arken Museum, Denmark.
In-depth editing/revising
HarperCollins, Charlesworth, Hodder & Stoughton (Teach Yourself), Routledge. Oman University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
Writing
Oxford University Press, Guardian, Collins Dictionaries blogs.
Copywriting
TAG Heuer (Switzerland), Chambers.
Websites
Challenge and Change, TAG Heuer, Oxford University Press.
What's the process?
-
Send me your draft or a representative portion (in confidence).
-
Tell me what you think needs doing AND the date you have in mind.
-
I assess it (possibly suggesting other things you have not covered), project a timing, give you a quotation.
-
We agree brief, timing, and fee.
-
I keep you informed of progress and any issues.
-
You sign off a final version.
Subjects
Antiques, Architecture (history of), Business studies (Management, Marketing, theory), Ballet, English grammar, English literature (poetry), English usage, Fitness/health (yoga), Food and drink (cookery), History, Language learning, Languages other than English (Spanish, Italian), Lexicography, Media and Communication, Publishing, Social studies, Writing skills
Qualifications
- BA
- MA
- Institute of Linguists (IoL) Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) (= degree equivalent) Spanish – distinction in all papers
The small print
People often ask for 'proofreading' when what they really mean is 'copy-editing'. If you're not sure what you require, this link might help.
I do both, but charge different rates, which is SfEP policy.
My price quotations are an overall fee, based on how long I think something will take x my hourly rate for the job in question. I can only quote realistically once I have done a representative sample.
I am happy to do such a sample in order to define a mutually agreed brief. However, I do not go in for competitive bidding for a job: my rate is my rate.
If your assignment requires overnight or weekend working, there is a surcharge.
Testimonials
I would like to express my gratitude to Jeremy, who has been of great help to me to edit and proofread my two manuscripts. His professionalism and language knowledge has made things easier for me to manage and make the manuscripts clearer. Bunch of thanks to Jeremy.
Dr Zulaikha Al-Saadi, Assistant Professor, University of Technology and Applied Sciences -Oman
We would like to express a very big THANK YOU to Jeremy Butterfield. We could not have managed without his infinite language knowledge and his support.
Authors of Teach Yourself German Tutor
Thanks to this delightful book, I now understand about the behaviour of our language. A fascinating book.
Alexander McCall Smith, noted novelist (about my book Damp Squid)
Jeremy brought a much-needed clarity and lightness of touch to a recent grammar project. He was, as usual, incisive, efficient, and a pleasure to work with.
Mary O'Neill, Project Managing Editor, Collins Language.
We couldn’t have been luckier to have happened upon Jeremy, who was wonderful to work with. What’s more, the comments he added into the text made us feel that we were being guided by a living embodiment of Fowler's.
Caroline Cecil, founder of Caroline Cecil Associates
Jeremy produced the copy for my website. The copy is brilliant but what most pleased me was the way in which he so quickly worked out a style that suited me. He also made it easy for me to work with him to get the results I needed.
Gail Freeman-Bell, owner, Challenge and Change
The two people that have ever managed to help me with a document are you and a friend of mine...
No economist ever managed to suggest anything substantial in terms of making a document in economics more clear...
A point which confirms what I believe, if you love the language you can help in any discipline.
An international academic in the economics field, tallking about my help in editing their PhD thesis for book publication
Jeremy’s writing is spot on, thanks to his understanding of our brief and brand values.
Annick Schaller, International Advertising Manager, TAG Heuer, Switzerland
On two projects ... commissioned from Jeremy ... he showed himself to be a thoroughly professional editor/author, both versatile and creative, and ... committed to the ongoing success of the books.
Ben Harris, Commissioning Editor, OUP
My clients ... were preparing a very important tender. ... Jeremy quickly grasped complex legal ideas and presented them in a forceful, appealing way. My clients were delighted.
Ann Macleod, legal services consultant