Graham Hughes | Editing and proofreading for businesses and publishers

Chester, UK

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-hughes

✅ Business editing ✅ Editing and proofreading for publishers

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

I’ve had extensive training as a copy-editor and proofreader, and I’m committed to continuing my professional development. As part of my active involvement in the CIEP, I’m a member of the Council, a tutor for some of our training courses, and a regular participant on the forums. I’ve also been the coordinator of two local groups, and a member of the Learning and Professional Development Committee.

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

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Services

Business editing

I can help to make sure your company’s written material will work effectively for you and show your credibility: for example, reports, guides and marketing materials (including web content). My approach is always to put the reader first. This, in turn, will benefit you, by helping you to get your message across clearly and smoothly. I can do this by:

• making your writing clear, concise, readable, complete, consistent and professional
• considering the target audience and its specific needs, along with key business priorities
• eliminating inappropriate jargon and business-speak
• querying anything that seems unclear or incomplete, or that I think may be factually wrong
• advising on and helping with structure, layout and formatting.
  

I normally use Microsoft Word (with Track Changes and commenting) or mark up PDF documents in Adobe Acrobat Reader (using the Comment feature), but can also consider other methods, including editing in PowerPoint.

I also offer a document assessment service (aka developmental editing), helping you to improve a document before getting it ready for detailed editing. I’ll provide a report with advice on things such as structure, formatting, layout, content, language use, tone, clarity, flow, reader engagement and presentation of data.

Editing and proofreading for publishers

I copy-edit manuscripts using Microsoft Word with Track Changes and commenting. I mark up PDF proofs in Adobe Acrobat Reader (using the Comment feature) or PDF-XChange Editor (using stamps for the BSI symbols, or other notation as required). I can also offer a developmental editing service. I work mainly on trade non-fiction titles and specialist publications.

Editing into plain English

I can make your writing more easily digestible and accessible for a wide audience – by simplifying its vocabulary and grammar, and by improving its structure, layout and formatting where appropriate.

Developing style guides

I can create or revise a style guide, to help ensure consistency and good practice in your organisation’s written output.

Find out more

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

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Experience

What I’ve worked on

Editing and proofreading

• Business documents: reports, reviews, white papers, articles, bids, proposals, guides, personnel profiles
• Marketing materials: client magazines, newsletters, social media posts, website content (including blog posts), menus, product packaging
• Books: trade non-fiction (mainly sport, including football and cricket), specialist (professional guidance, educational, self-help), academic
• Research papers, university presentation and lecture material, student papers
• School reports

Style guides

• Ongoing revision and updating of a corporate style guide
• Creating a house style guide for a publisher
• Review of ‘brand lexicon’ for a hotel chain’s menus

Who I’ve worked with

Publishers and packagers: Eclipse Publishing & Media | Integra | Pitch Publishing | Prestel | RefineCatch | Swales & Willis | Taylor & Francis | The Stationery Office | Vision Sports Publishing | Wearset

Business customers: Construction Marketing Experts | EMC Design | Endava | Evertas | Grist | Harry, Larry + Gary | Hartey Wealth Management | Impact Cubed | OpenWeather | Romafolli | Rowan | Studio Retail | TMF Group

Other organisations: Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) | CIEP | King Edward VI School

Individuals: Independent authors | Researchers | Students | Freelances | Jobseekers

Subjects

​I can work with most subjects, but have specialist knowledge of technology; sport and its history; and music (rock, pop and related genres).

I also have substantial experience of editing in subjects such as project, programme and service management, and investment advice.

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

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Training and CPD

Training

CIEP: Web Editing (2020) | The Art of Querying (2022) | Non-Fiction Developmental Editing (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, including two years as an administrator
• Attending nine CIEP conferences in full
• Reading articles and books on editing, proofreading and related subjects such as writing style and plain English

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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.

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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

‘As a new publisher first starting out, I needed to source a new editor to assist with the launch of my publications ... Graham is exceptionally good at what he does, and the standard of his copy-editing services is outstanding and beyond my expectations; he is professional, reliable and an extremely efficient editor. He takes charge of the project and manages the whole process from start to finish, interacting well with both publisher and author, ensuring every aspect of the copy-editing process is well sewn together and delivered to the typesetter in a well-structured way. ... I would highly recommend his services.’

– Tracey Dobby, Publishing Director, Eclipse Publishing & Media

‘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

• Editor
• Proofreader

• Business & finance
• Sport & leisure
• Technology