Dawn Austin Locke | Arts and Humanities: fiction, non-fiction, theses, poetry, memoir, writing in translation or in a second language.
Brighton, UK
- Phone
- 01273 306950 | 07762 468185
- Organisation
- ProofPerfect
- Job title
- Freelance Editor and Proofreader
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Dawn
Phone
http://www.dawnproofperfect.co.uk
About you
Are you an academic in the arts & humanities, an independent publishing house, a fiction, poetry or non-fiction author of memoir, travel, well-being or psychology?
Your book, thesis, novel, or specialist-cultural writing is unique so, when I help polish it for publication, my editing, at whatever level, will always tune in to your voice and support your originality.
You are welcome to email me a sample.
About me
My background is in creative writing (Sussex, 1st class), and the psychology of the creative process. I support manuscripts from their earliest, fragile stages through to detailed line editing, copy-editing and final proofreading.
I relish personal interaction with small publishing houses, independent authors, and am excited by new academic and creative concepts. It is my privilege to work alongside you on these rites of passage from head and heart to page and press.
Fiction genres
- Contemporary fiction addressing the humanities and arts
- World literature
- Life-writing, memoir and biography
- Diaries and letters
- Historical novels or theses
- Myth, religion and spirituality
- Medical themes (RGN, HV Dip.)
- Poetry collections
- Short stories
Non-fiction and academic subjects
I'll always engage with a new angle on the arts! These are my special interests.
- Cultural academia and literature
- Arts, theatre, dance
- Contemporary ethics
- Social and cultural anthropology
- Travel writing and worldwide viewpoints, social geography
- Religions and spirituality, including Buddhism, Judaism and mythology
- Psychology, psychotherapy and counselling
- Wellbeing, self-help, lifestyle, and health education
- Diet and nutrition
- Medical writing (RGN, HV Dip.)
Qualifications and training
- Creativity in the Arts BA Hons 1st Class, University of Sussex
- Creative Writing Certificate (2 years), University of Sussex
- Foundation Year, Institute of Psychoanalysis, London
- Licentiate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSM Teaching)
- Registered General Nurse and Health Visitor (RGN, HV Dip.)
- Chapterhouse Proofreading and Editorial Skills
- Proofreading Headway, CIEP
- Efficient Editing, CIEP
- Practical mark-up of PDFs, CIEP
- TEFL certificates
Software
Microsoft Word
Adobe Acrobat Pro
PerfectIt Pro, Intelligent Editing
Testimonials
I love the little word substitutions and additions that you have peppered sparingly throughout, as well as your restructuring of some of the sentences. You grasped the lilt of the dialogue perfectly. Both the pace and fluidity of the whole book flow much better now and it's a much more accessible piece of work.
The Missing Pieces of Mum, Sally Herbert
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-missing-pieces-of-mum/sally-herbert/9781914451010
I wanted to thank you again for your wonderful work! I have combed through it this morning and it completely surpassed my expectations! Your attention to detail is just incredible, and your feedback/comments are so useful. Being dyslexic, I can't tell you how helpful it is to have someone read with such a sharp eye. Now I feel confident moving forward with my PhD, using the tools and knowledge I now have from your comments. So much I've learned! Can't wait to put it all to use in my work.
CM, PhD in Middle Eastern Studies, University of London (UCL)
The fact that we have reached the end of that journey and I have the end product sitting in front of me is thanks to my good fortune in finding you two years ago, which in retrospect seems like a lucky win on a roulette wheel since I had little to go by other than a list of names on the CIEP's website.
David Beatty, The Island: A Mirror For the Soul. Journey towards the heart of Dhamma.
https://booklife.com/project/the-island-a-mirror-for-the-soul-57641
I wish I had found Dawn's incomparable services sooner. Her editing was thoughtful, thorough and effective. She improved readability and layout of my thesis and clarified it without intruding on the content. She not only addressed grammar and punctuation but, as importantly, the usage and flow of my 2nd language.
Victoria N. MA in Nursing Management
"I am very pleased with the quality of Dawn's work. Her insights into my poetry were right on the spot, and her notes incredibly helpful. Clear and relevant, she made great recommendations on my use of rhymes and choices of words. She truly has a feel for poetry." A.T.
Aurélien Thomas, A Vow – A Collection of Love Poems.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vow-Collection-Love-Poems/dp/B08KHCR5WC
"I gave Dawn a play that I had been working on for months. She offered pertinent comments on how I could build a more effective climax. She has a deep interest and expertise in stagecraft through her theatre experience. Dawn suggested ways of highlighting the dramatic relationships, allowing me to discuss various options yet retain the integrity of my portrayals while accepting her guidance. She provided a perfect balance of suggestions on which to base my decisions."
Alanna McIntyre, Between the Covers, a play.
I am so very grateful to all of the women authors contributing to this book and especially to its editor Dawn Austin Locke for her loving care and wisdom in giving this book roots to ground and wings to fly…
Laura Topper, author of Mama on a Mission.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mama-Mission-permission-mother-creative/dp/1549649108
"Thanks so much for your editorial support – your edits hugely improve the quality and clarity of my thesis!"
A Huang, PhD in Music and Modern Literature, University of Edinburgh.
Service(s)
Specialisms
Client types
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.