Ms Clare Gathercole

Phone/Mobile
Available on request

Featured

I’m a professional non-fiction copyeditor and proofreader with a background in archaeology. Since 2014 I've run SpotFind Proofreading, through which I provide a friendly, high-quality freelance service to publishers, other businesses, and individuals.

I work with a wide range of documents and subjects. I have academic qualifications in archaeology, theology, and music, but am happy to work with subjects across the humanities and social sciences, as well as with physical and environmental science works aimed at the general reader.

Before becoming a proofreader and copyeditor, I was a professional archaeologist for more than 20 years. During those years I worked in field archaeology, on university research projects, and as an information manager and provider in local government historic environment information services. As well as abundant experience of working with technical archaeological and historic building reports, I therefore also offer a high degree of IT literacy and accuracy, as well as good customer service skills.

Having worked in the public sector, in a university, and in retail, I have a very broad base of experience on which to draw. You will always find me businesslike and sympathetic to your needs.

I welcome enquiries from anyone requiring copyediting/proofreading services, no matter how large or small the job.

Services

The services I offer at present are:

• Proofreading (in PDF or Adobe InCopy)
• Proof-editing (in MS Word)
• Copyediting (in MS Word)

I specialise in non-fiction and prefer to work on screen (though I can work on hard copy if required).

Clients

My regular client base includes academic publishers, publishing managers, journal editing agencies. and business publishers.

I also work on an ad hoc basis for businesses (including archaeological businesses), academic authors from around the world, postgraduate students, and other clients.

Current and recent client oganisations include:

• Brooklands New Media
• Cotswold Archaeology
• Edinburgh University Press
• Lutterworth Press
• Newgen
• Shrewsbury Ramblers (pro bono)
• Sunrise Setting

Training and qualifications

Training:

• References (CIEP, 2024)
• Efficient Editing (CIEP, 2020)
• InDesign Introduction (XChange, 2019)
• Basic Editing (PTC, 2017)
• Mentoring in Proofreading (SfEP, 2015)
• Proofreading 2: Progress (SfEP, 2014)
• Basic Proofreading (PTC, 2013)

​Academic qualifications:

• Diploma in Music
• MA Archaeological Practice
• BA Theology

Subjects

Specialisms: Archaeology, history, music, religion / theology

Other recent subjects: art, business management, business profiles, defence/military, language, literature, politics, sociology/social work, transportation, travel/walking

testimonials

All my editors ... were solid professionals but you were the best I had so far. You were one of rare editors who caught repetitious or contradictory statements ...  I’m very grateful for the excellent work you have done on my behalf.

Dr Milan N Vego, Professor of Operational Art at the Naval War College, Rhode Island, USA

I just wanted to say thank you so much for this, you did a truly excellent job on what turned out to be a rather mammoth task!

Olivia Hatt, Production Editor, Taylor & Francis

I would like to thank Clare Gathercole for her detailed proofread. Her valuable comments and explanations have helped to improve the presentation of this work. I could not ask for more.

Choy Fah Kong (BA MA PhD London SOAS), independent academic and author

It was an excellent proofread – very thorough, sensible queries and with great thought as to how to minimise the knock-on effects of changes. I’ll be recommending you to my colleagues!

Emma Hå​konsen, Production Editor, Taylor & Francis