Calendly
https://calendly.com/lisadecaux/editorial-chat
Copyeditor and proofreader, with a business background and an MA in English Literature
You're preparing your book for publication. Are you ready for copyediting before your final draft is typeset? Or do you need a double-check before publishing (proofreading)? Are you in development somewhere in-between (proof-editing)?
I've been a business owner since 2017 and, as of January 2022, I have more than 1,100 hours of editorial experience.
Those hours are spread across novels, business books, poetry, annual reports, catalogues and coffee-table books.
My clients include publishers, independent authors, writing mentors and book coaches.
I'm a career-changer and spent many years as a chartered accountant in the retail and manufacturing sectors before starting my business. I'm committed to training and CPD in the editorial profession, and I bring all my experience to my client's projects.
Let's talk about what you need.
Services
Proofreading
Proof-editing
Copyediting
I work in Word or PDF, and I typically work to a fixed fee. I will provide a quote based on a sample of your book, needs and timescales.
Qualifications, training and CPD
MA (Hons, 1st) English Literature, University of St Andrews
Qualified ACA (ICAEW), training with KPMG
Essential Proofreading (merit awarded), Publishing Training Centre
Plain English workshop, Laura Ripper and Luke Finley, SfEP conference 2018
'What can macros do for you?' workhop, Paul Beverley, SfEP conference 2018
Introduction to Copy-editing, CIEP
Mastering editorial style sheets, Amy J Schneider, CIEP conference 2020
Switching to Fiction, Louise Harnby
Introduction to Fiction Editing, CIEP
Guiding principles for developmental fiction editing, Sophie Playle, CIEP conference 2021
Using Word styles, Jill French, CIEP conference 2021
Conscious and inclusive editing: Understanding conscious language and the editorial role, Crystal Shelley, CIEP conference 2021
Fiction line-editing essentials: Narrative distance, Louise Harnby, CIEP conference 2021
testimonials
Lisa is a brilliant proofreader and such a pleasure to work with. She has always been prompt, communicative and thorough in the work she did for Allison and Busby. I can't recommend her enough. Thank you, Lisa!
Claire Browne, Desk Editor, Allison and Busby
Lisa is amazing. She calmly manages multiple projects, keeps track of many clients, and carries on smiling. She's a major asset to my team, without her I wouldn't be scaling so quickly. I trust her attention to detail and ability to make the whole process better. She takes care of my clients as well as I do.
Debs Jenkins, Author, Writing Mentor & Creation Coach, Founder of the Asset Path
Lisa's "mark up was incredibly clear. It was very useful to have suggestions of how to minimise disruptions to the text flow.
I have been impressed with Lisa's professionalism and reliability. She is a pleasure to work with."
Kelly Smith, Editor, Allison and Busby
Lisa edited my manuscript for Content DNA. She took my editorial conventions and instructions and returned a clearly marked-up set of documents that gave me an easy way to approve and adjust her suggestions before I could send the work on to my typesetter.
Her comments were thoughtful, and the budget and timescales were both very reasonable. Really happy with the result and I'd highly recommend Lisa to anyone else publishing their own non-fiction content.
John Espirian, Author of Content DNA
Lisa is a blissfully clear, calm and warm person! You just know you are in good hands - and that makes life so much easier when you are putting something like a book out into the world. From the minute I talked to Lisa about what she would be doing - I trusted her - and knew she would be a delight to work with. I was right. The task was to copy edit my book - what she did went way beyond my expectations. Picking up detail, subtle stuff - things I missed - brilliant. Her communication throughout was top level - and I am a communication coach! Lisa really knows her stuff - highly recommended.
Trisha Lewis, Author of The Mystery of the Squashed Self
Huge thanks to Lisa who did a fantastic job editing our annual report within a tight time frame, and with the upmost attention to detail. I appreciated her quick communication, her accuracy and her presentation and would really recommend her work. Great to find someone so responsive.
Georgie Day, Internal Communications Manger, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Highly recommend Lisa for all proofreading needs. Lisa is extremely thorough, diligent and concise and is a pleasure to work with.
Lauren Connell, Account Executive at seventy7
We are happy with Lisa's overall service. The jobs she has done for us were always delivered on time and according to the instructions we agreed upon beforehand. Lisa is very communicative and always tries to solve possible issues in a text during proofreading, which allows us to resolve them with our client. Even after delivery, Lisa is always available for follow-up queries. Thanks!
Eric van Moorten, Project Manager, KERN B.V.
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.