Cath Harris | Environment and sports editor & proofreader
Hertfordshire
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.wordsforkeeps.co.uk/
- Organisation
- Words for Keeps
- Job title
- Editor, proofreader, copywriter
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Cath
Environment and sports specialist working quickly and meticulously on reports, policy papers, books and project/campaign materials. Wildlife, particularly ornithology, conservation and the climate crisis are familiar topics. I have a sports science degree and good knowledge of many sports. My work often involves reshaping for non-experts text by scientists, policymakers and other specialists.
Rewilding Britain, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, FOUR PAWS UK and S-Curve Economics are recent NGO and charity copyediting clients, alongside independent authors.
Recent proofreading clients in other sectors include Health Data UK (a Government-commissioned report), Arts Council England (Art Monthly) and the Lawn Tennis Association (coaching materials as PowerPoint slides). I work with design and branding agencies using Figma.
Before going freelance I worked for conservation and sports bodies as a web and print writer/editor and as a freelance journalist (the Guardian, Runner's World, Outdoor Fitness, Landscape Magazine, Birdwatching). Former employers are the RSPB, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (University of Oxford), the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cycling UK.
Services
- Report and article proofreading and editing
- Technical editing for non-experts
- Quick-turnaround proofreading for businesses
- Book and academic proofreading and editing
- Website proofreading and copywriting
- Magazine proofreading
- Plain-English editing and writing
- Helping international authors write more fluently
Media
- Reports and proposals
- Campaign/project materials
- Web copy, blogs, LinkedIn posts
- Company literature
- Books
- Journal papers, theses, dissertations
- Magazines
- Manuals
Experience
- Freelance proofreader and copyeditor since 2016 and copywriter since 2010.
- Previously a charity and university communications specialist.
- A freelance writer for the Guardian, Sunday Telegraph, UK Press Association, Yorkshire Post, LandScape Magazine, BBC Countryfile, Bird Watching, Runner's World.
Training
- 2023: Mastering Styles and Templates (Using Office)
- 2020: CIEP Conference
- 2019: PerfectIt (Hilary Cadman Training)
- 2018: Proofreading mentoring (full marks, SfEP (now CIEP))
- 2017: Editing with Word, Practical mark-up of PDFs, Copy-editing 1 (SfEP)
- 2016: Basic Proofreading (Merit, Publishing Training Centre)
Recent clients
- S-Curve Economics
- Health Data Research UK
- Lawn Tennis Association
- Rewilding Britain
- World Animal Protection
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
- Book Aid International
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Art Monthly, Arts Council England
- DixonBaxi
- Green Park consultancy
- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire
- Whittles Publishing
- Newgen Publishing
- QBS Learning
- Pitch Publishing
- British University in Dubai
Subjects
- Environment (conservation, wildlife, birds, birdwatching, ornithology, nature)
- Natural history; ecology
- Climate change; environmental science
- Renewable energy
- Countryside and rural affairs
- Art
- Animals
- Agriculture/farming
- Green travel
- Activity holidays
- Outdoor pursuits (walking, hiking, trekking, hill walking, cycling, cycle touring)
- Sport (hockey, netball, tennis, cricket, athletics, triathlon, running, swimming, outdoor fitness)
- Sports science (physiology, fitness, fitness training, sports nutrition, personal training)
- Public relations
- Newspapers
Qualifications
BSc Sports Science
Testimonials
Cath was superb – professional, friendly and quick. Her edits were clear and just what we needed. The note summarising her approach was really useful. Her support kept us on track for our publication date, and helped polish our report so it has the best chance to shine. Very much appreciated!
Simon Sharpe and Caroline Humphries, S-Curve Economics
It's been so good to have Cath on board to help us sub-edit and proofread our reports and guides. When sub-editing, her work is precise, she is careful to query amends within a scientific context, and has been immensely helpful in spotting inconsistencies and areas where better articulation is needed. Cath has turned work around quickly and is very clear in marking up her amends.
Hannah Bullock, Rewilding Britain
Cath was a great help in proofreading a set of digital guidelines we created for one of our clients, as part of the development of their latest brand. Her comments were thorough and concise, and helped to ensure our work was communicated in the best way possible. She was professional, efficient and a pleasure to work with. Thank you, Cath!
Lily Mackley, DixonBaxi
We had a great experience working with Cath on our wildlife farming report. She was flexible, efficient and reliable, and adhered to both the brief and timeline we provided. She was also quick to respond to all communication. Professional and high-quality service all round.
Jennah Green, World Animal Protection
It is surprising how many things you miss when you think you have the perfect manuscript! Hence it is always useful to have someone go through it with an impartial eye, commenting on comprehension, inconsistencies, grammar and punctuation. Cath did an excellent job for me and her suggestions have significantly improved my book.
James Fenton, author, Landscape Change in the Scottish Highlands
Cath is an exceptional proofreader and copywriter. Her keen eye for detail catches errors, ensures consistency, and she always provides valuable recommendations to enhance our content. Highly recommended!
Chris Harris, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
One of the things I have learned in a life-time of writing hundreds of scientific papers, popular articles and several academic books is that even an experienced author makes mistakes, and that a good copyeditor is worth their weight in gold. Cath did a great job on my manuscript, picking up errors I should have spotted and meticulously going through the hundreds of notes and references linked to the text. I was very impressed. And she did it quickly and courteously, as well as thoroughly.
Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS, author, Inn Search of Birds
Cath is a wonderful copyeditor. She helped me refine my PhD thesis in Media and Communications. I would especially recommend her to international students who are submitting their dissertations. Thank you again for your help with my work.
Juliana Holanda, doctoral candidate
This is the first time I have used a professional proofreader and I must say it has been a very pleasurable and worthwhile experience. I admire your great attention to detail and I love the style sheet – so helpful to be alerted to some of my idiosyncrasies. I’m sure I will be in touch with further work in the future.
Deborah Southwell, master's student
Absolutely super job by Cath. Very high quality work. I would definitely recommend Cath for any proofreading work.
Sarah Juggins, co-author, Under an Orange Sky
Cath is perhaps the most painstaking and brilliant copyeditor I have worked with.
Dr Chucks Okereke, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
Cath Harris is the ultimate professional. Her suggestions have improved my book immensely and her eye for detail was invaluable. I can’t thank her enough.
Phillip Vine, author, Visionary
Cath undertook a high-level review item which I was incredibly pleased with. Professional, courteous and incredibly skilled at her craft.
Clare Kelly, Chief of Staff, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire
Service(s)
Specialisms
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.