Mr John Firth
- Membership Grade
- Advanced Professional Member
About John
Work/life
Works in UK, Europe and USA; lives in West Berkshire
Web
http://www.john-firth-editor.co.uk
Media
Books, multi-author books, journal articles, government reports, company literature, websites and online publications, professional loose-leaf, illustrated books, theses and dissertations
Featured
My varied background (both with three consulting actuarial firms and in two craft businesses) and wide interests (history, literature, music, the cinema, walking and natural history) mean I can bring broad perspective to a range of topics. I have had a lot of practice in expressing complex material clearly and concisely, and I find that my typesetting experience informs and strengthens my editing work, while my editing work helps me design and typeset intelligently.
I can see a book from first draft to printed copy (or electronic file), and have worked on websites, online magazines and an online graphic serial, for authors, agencies, publishers, businesses, universities and public sector bodies.
If you're an author, I'll never forget that it's your work, and your 'voice', not mine.
I was membership director of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (predecessor of the CIEP) between 2013 and 2018.
Specialised software
Quark XPress 9; Adobe InDesign
Qualifications
BA Modern History (Balliol College, Oxford); Associate, Pensions Management Institute (by examination)
Recent training
Introducing mapping, spatial data and GIS (Oxford University) 2020, Efficient editing (SfEP) 2016, Introduction to web editorial skills (SfEP) 2014, On-screen editing (SfEP) 2011, Brush Up your Grammar (SfEP) 2008
Clients
Aberdeen University, Cambridge University Press, Edward Elgar, Lamport Gilbert, London University, Manchester University, Manchester University Press, Morisons KSi, Oxford University Press, Pendragon, Recruitment and Employment Confederation, Routledge, St John Ambulance, The Stationery Office, University of Trento, World Economics, many professional practices and individual authors
Subjects
History (general, 16th–20th century, American, European), biography (general, 16th–20th century, historical, literary, political), finance (pensions, accountancy, tax), law (jurisprudence, civil procedure, criminal, employment, IP, European/EU), transport history, politics, international development, games and puzzles
testimonials
I just wanted to say a big thank you, John, for doing such a thorough editing job at such short notice and in so little time!
2013, Michele Staple, The Stationery Office
Thank you so much for all your work on our ms. I have worked with a few copy editors before, but none with your acumen and amiability. It has been a pleasure, and I have learnt a thing or two, too.
2018, Dr Heather Brook, College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide
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.