Ms Christina Harkness
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Christina
Featured
Passionate about the pursuit of excellence in the written word. Long- or short-term projects undertaken.
Media
Fiction, non-fiction books, education materials, journals, newsletters, brochures, directories/yearbooks, magazines, style guides, website editing
Specialised software
Adobe Acrobat
Training
On-screen editing (Publishing Training Centre) 2012, Brush up your copy-editing (SfEP) 2008, Proofreading problems (SfEP) 2008, Brush up your proofreading (SfEP) 2006, Introduction to copy-editing (SfEP) 2006
Qualifications and awards
Cert. Ed. English and French, TEFL, NLP Master Practitioner, NLP certified coach, Dip. PICT (Parks Inner Child Therapy), Dip. SHM (Stress Management)
Experience
Freelance since 1995. Own publishing company for fourteen years, specialising in mobile telecoms. Directory, magazine and newspaper launches
Clients
Oxford University Press, MOM Books, Harriman House, Book Guild Publishing, Class Publishing,The Reader's Digest Association, Financial Times (Media Telecoms Division) Pencil Sharp, French Chamber of Commerce (press material) Aspinal of London, Interactive language Teaching (language courses) and many self-publishing authors of fiction and non-fiction
Subjects
Fiction (general, romantic, crime/mystery/thrillers, science fiction/fantasy/horror), children's books (educational/informative, fiction, picture books), education (resources, secondary, exam revision, literacy, numeracy), English language (grammar/syntax), English as a foreign language (EFL, ELT, ESOL), training course material, personal development, human behaviour, coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), medicine (disease management, patient and health practitioner information, complementary/alternative), sales and marketing material
Personal interests
All creative arts, personal development, wildlife conservation and travel.
Voluntary activities: trustee of animal charity, mentor for Princes Trust youth programmes, treasurer of village association
testimonials
Top qualities: Expert, On Time, High Integrity. Christina won't just work for you, she will work with you! Throughout the whole editing process my own tone, style and the integrity of the story was never compromised. Few editors have been so respectful over my work. With such an amazing eye for detail, expert grammar and an excellent sense of structure, you will receive back the very best of what your work can be.
Annie Nicholas – author
I appreciate the editing, proofing and overview of the style and layout of my book. Christina's work in terms of both quality and sympathy to the subject was outstanding.
Lawrence Warner, Warner Associates, author of Personality in Handwriting
Top qualities: Meticulous, Reliable, Accurate. Christina is excellent at spotting grammatical errors that have passed the copy-editor's notice. As the copy-editor in question is sometimes me, I am a little embarrassed to have to say this, but certainly glad that she picks up such problems before publication.
Richenda Milton-Thompson, Freelance Editor and Project Manager, part-time acting Production Manager for Class Publishing (2006)
Top qualities: Attention to detail. Christina copy-edited my debut novel in 2011. She was always aware of the value of the book to me and demonstrated a professional courtesy and discretion at all times. The result was a manuscript that was accepted by the publisher vitually unchanged from my submission.
Stephen Edwards, author of A Suffolk's Whispering Heart
Top qualities: Expertise , Dedication. Christina went far beyond anything I was expecting and she paid particular attention to my style and how I wanted to tell my story. She has an honest, open approach and her communication is second to none - clear, respectful, concise and always consistent. Her attention to detail and love of the English language made me realise that my book was in a safe pair of hands.
Maggie Higginbotham, author of African Safaris. June 2013
Christina provided an excellent copy-editing service for my new book. She provided an independent view by ensring concistency, accuracy and most importantly, making suggestions on how the content could be improved. I very much recommend Christina to authors who want support in getting their book right and develop the confidence to become published.
Karen Williams, non-fiction author of The Secrets of Successful Coaches
Christina's professional approach to this material, her patience and astute eye made my task so much easier. It has been a pleasure to have her work with me on this compilation.
Roy Hay.MBE, Consultant Editor of Reader's Digest Encyclopaedia of Garden Plants and Flowers
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.