Mrs Emma Wiggin |

I am a freelance non-fiction proofreader with 25 years' experience in publishing. I regularly proofread academic, trade, general interest, business, and vocational education books, plus contract magazine titles and web content produced by marketing agencies. I also proofread dissertations/theses, other business communications and school policy documents. My specialism is history, particularly the medieval and early modern periods.

I proofread single- and multi-author humanities and social science academic books on subject matters including history, politics and international relations, philosophy, and literary criticism. General interest and trade titles have included history, food and drink, and biography, with business and educational areas including policing, coaching and social work.

Proofreading for marketing agencies has meant working on a diverse range of subjects, which over the years have included equestrian sports, cars and motorsport, business and hospitality, and education.

I have also had considerable experience of proofreading and copy-editing market analysis reports covering a wide variety of sectors and industries, including finance/financial services, lifestyle and consumer products and purchasing patterns, food and drink, and travel and transport.

Media

• Books (academic; trade; general interest; business; vocational education)
• Multi-author academic books
• Magazines
• Web content
• Business communications
• School policies
• Dissertations and theses
• Market analysis reports

Qualifications and Training

• MA with Distinction in Early Modern History
• BA History
• Basic proofreading by distance-learning – merit (Publishing Training Centre) 2012

Work Experience

• Freelance since 2002
• Editor and team leader, Key Note Ltd, 1999–2002 

Clients

Past and present publishing clients include:

• Ashgate Publishing
• Dialogue Agency (previously Archant Dialogue)
• Edward Elgar
• Key Note
• Method Marketing
• Newgen (previously Out of House Publishing)
• Rationale
• Reaktion Books
• Taylor & Francis
• The History Press.

Over the years my private client work has included occasional proofreads for freelance editorial project managers, PhD candidates and self-publishers.

Subjects

As can be seen from my qualifications, my particular specialism is history, and while my MA was in early modern history, I also have a keen personal interest in the medieval period.

In addition, I have proofread publications covering a vast range of subject areas, in particular:

• Automotive
• Biography
• Business and hospitality
• Equestrian sports
• Food and drink
• Literary criticism
• Market reports
• Philosophy
• Politics and international relations
• Training and vocational education

Voluntary Experience

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA): I regularly volunteer with my local RDA group, leading and tacking up/untacking the ponies and side walking with the riders, and helping to set out and put away the equipment. Regular training sessions include best practice, first aid and safeguarding.

Norwich Castle Museum: I was an office volunteer for more than two years, helping with administrative tasks the Learning team struggled to find the time to complete, including compiling evaluation form results and creating a spreadsheet that detailed the Events and Visitor Programme to help develop and improve the team’s offering.

Friends Committee: I spent three years helping the Friends Committee of a local primary school organise fundraising events and researching and writing grant applications and funding bids.

Testimonials

'Emma has worked on a variety of titles for Reaktion Books, and for each project she has been an excellent, conscientious proofreader. Emma's comprehensive knowledge ensures that she always delivers impressively incisive and discerning work. I highly recommend.'  — Amy Salter, Editor, Reaktion Books

'Emma is an excellent freelance proofreader whose services I used regularly for many years. She provides work of an extremely high standard every time and is very adaptable, reliable and consistent – and always to deadline … I can’t recommend her enough.' — Simon Taylor, former Editorial Manager, Key Note

'Emma is a fantastic proofreader. She is thorough, diligent and flexible. She really puts my mind at ease!' — Lucy Mowatt, Director, Method Marketing

'Emma offers an extremely reliable and friendly service and works across a range of the humanities and social science subjects titles we produce. I have no hesitation in recommending Emma’s editorial services.' — Jo Bottrill, Managing Director, Newgen Publishing

• Proofreader

• History