Graham Hughes | Editing and proofreading for businesses and publishers

Website
www.gh-ed.com
Organisation
GH Editorial
Membership Grade
Advanced Professional Member

About Graham

I help a range of customers including marketing firms, consultancies, and publishers of specialist and non-fiction books. My specialisms include technology, project management and sport. I’ve edited or proofread more than fifty books, well over a hundred business reports and many other items.

I’m based in Chester in the UK, but can work with customers worldwide.

▶️If you think we could work together, please email me to tell me what you’re looking for.


Services

Business editing

I can help to make sure your company’s written material (such as reports, guides, web content and other marketing materials) will work effectively for you and show your credibility. This can include:

  • making your writing clear, concise, readable, complete, consistent and professional
  • considering your target readers’ needs and your business priorities
  • eliminating inappropriate jargon and business-speak
  • querying anything that seems unclear, incomplete or possibly incorrect
  • helping with structure, layout and formatting.

Editing and proofreading for publishers

I work mainly on trade non-fiction titles and specialist publications (please see ‘Specialisms').

Other services

I can also edit text into plain English, perform developmental editing, and create and revise style guides.

Find out more

▶️My website has more guidance on what I can do for you, and how to get a quote.


Experience

What I’ve worked on

  • Business documents: Reports, reviews, white papers, articles, proposals, guides, personnel profiles
  • Marketing materials: Website content (including blogs), social media posts, client magazines, newsletters, product packaging, menus
  • Books: Trade non-fiction (mainly sport, including football and cricket), specialist (professional guidance, educational), academic

Who I’ve worked with

  • Business customers: Construction Marketing Experts, EMC Design, Endava, Evertas, Grist, Hartey Wealth Management, Impact Cubed, OpenWeather, Romafolli, Rowan, Studio Retail, TMF Group
  • Publishers and packagers: Eclipse Publishing & Media, Integra, Pitch Publishing, Prestel, RefineCatch, Swales & Willis, Taylor & Francis, The Stationery Office, Vision Sports Publishing, Wearset

▶️This is just a summary – for more details, please download my portfolio below.


Training, CPD and education

Training

  • CIEP: Web Editing (2020), The Art of Querying (2022), Non-Fiction Developmental Editing (2024), Copyright for Editorial Professionals (2024)
  • Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP, now the CIEP): Introduction to Proofreading (2013), Introduction to Copy-Editing (2014), Proofreading Progress (2014), Mentoring for Proofreading (2014), Copy-Editing Progress (2016), Mentoring for Copy-Editing (2016), Efficient Editing: Strategies and Tactics (2017), Editing Digital Content (2019), Plain English for Editors (2019)
  • Publishing Training Centre: Basic Proofreading (2014), Copy-Editing (2015), Rewriting and Substantive Editing (2023)
  • Online Content Training: Online Content – Writing and Editing Skills (2018)

Continuing professional development (CPD)

  • Regular involvement in CIEP local groups: attending many meetings and twice acting as a group coordinator (Manchester, 2015–2018; Liverpool, 2020–2024)
  • Frequently using and contributing to the CIEP’s online forums
  • Attending ten CIEP conferences
  • Reading articles and books on editing, proofreading and related subjects

Other

  • BSc (Honours) in Data Processing, Loughborough University of Technology (1987)
  • PRINCE2 (project management) accreditation at Foundation level (2008)


Background

I worked in information technology for 26 years as an analyst, developer, project manager and team leader, in the transport, financial services, government, telecommunications and retail sectors. My employers were British Rail, Strategic Systems Solutions, Pinkerton Computer Consultants and Capgemini. I’m also the author of a book on the history of football, rugby and all related sports.


Testimonials

‘Graham has been great on the jobs I have given him, and I don't say this lightly. His tenacity and thoroughness are second to none – indeed, I have been surprised by just how much he manages to find wrong in a manuscript! His suggestions are polite and helpful, and he delivers on time and to budget. I have no hesitation in recommending him as an excellent copy-editor.’

– Michele Staple, Editorial Manager, The Stationery Office

‘We use Graham as a regular editor of our business reports, a task to which he brings both a keen eye for detail and an instinctive sense of style … He copes well with the vagaries of our ever-changing timelines, is able to handle challenges well beyond normal editorial services, and is always professional. I recommend him very highly.’

– C. J. Rowe, delivery and quality manager

‘Graham's work has consistently been accurate, comprehensive and insightful. His can-do attitude and efficient approach make him a valuable asset to any publishing enterprise.’

– Editor, B2B content marketing agency

‘We three would like to thank you profusely for the detailed, expert work that you are doing on our book manuscript. Indeed, we are scratching our heads and trying to recall if any of us have ever seen better copy-editing!’

– Mary Elise Sarotte, Dean’s Professor of History, University of Southern California



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.