Lydia Wanstall | Non-fiction copyeditor

I am an experienced copyeditor and proofreader with an aptitude for producing clear, accurate and readable text, offering efficient turnaround to tight deadlines. The main focus of my work in recent years has been public health, environmental health and health economics publications for nongovernmental organisations.

My freelance work since 2009 has included on-screen copyediting and rewriting for a variety of clients, with some hard-copy and on-screen proofreading. Working on English copy written by multilingual authors is a speciality.

For details of recent projects, please visit http://lwanstall.co.uk/about/.

Subjects

Public health, environmental health, health economics, social sciences/studies, social research, health and social care, community studies, education (higher/tertiary), English literature, Shakespeare, linguistics, music, business, marketing, market research, management, human resources, training, philosophy, ethics

Qualifications

I am an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and adhere to its Code of Practice. My qualifications include an MA in Shakespeare Studies (Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham), and a BA in English Literature (UCL). I have also completed numerous training courses run by the CIEP – formerly the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) – and will continue to attend these as part of my continuing professional development.

Clients

World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, UNICEF, the German Federal Environment Agency Umwelt Bundesamt (UBA), GAVI the Vaccine Alliance, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Arden Shakespeare, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (via Cambridge Publishing Management), Spotlight Market Research & Editing, Hokkaido University (Japan), Taylor & Francis (Routledge), The Policy Press, private clients

Testimonials

Lydia worked with the Observatory and OECD on a high-volume, multi-country project, copy-editing 29 Country Health Profiles, each with several sections and dozens of graphs. She delivered to an unfailingly excellent standard – not only in terms of improving the texts but also in ensuring eagle-eyed consistency across them. Remarkably, Lydia managed to edit over 250,000 words in six weeks to meet very tight deadlines without compromising on quality, going the extra mile whenever required. It was a real pleasure to work with such a committed, efficient and highly skilled editor.

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies / Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

I have used Lydia's services as a copy-editor for several scientific publications on environmental health. Lydia is easy to work with, professional and efficient, and produces great results. I have been very pleased with the final products she delivered and will definitely work with her again!

World Health Organization

Lydia did an excellent job copy-editing the flagship OECD publication, Health at a Glance. Professional, flexible, responsive – highly recommended!

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Lydia undertook the language editing of a large report on health inequalities for us. Although the text was very complex and the chapters written by different authors, she provided a consistent and well-edited report and we were very satisfied with her work

World Health Organization

It's a real pleasure to work with Lydia. She copy-edited a lengthy and complex publication in line with the UNICEF style guide and did so with great flexibility, good humour and perfect compliance with tight deadlines. Her services are highly recommended

Consultant at CREATE and author of UNICEF Child Rights Education Toolkit

We have always been very happy with Lydia's timely and high-quality work. For us as non-native speakers, we need an editor in whom we can have a lot of confidence and Lydia is always willing to provide substantial advice on how to best use the English language

World Health Organization

Lydia has been employed by Cambridge Publishing Management on a freelance basis since 2010; during this time she has consistently demonstrated excellent proofreading and copy-editing skills. In addition, she is organised, reliable and conscientious, and always ensures the timely delivery of high-quality work

Cambridge Publishing Management Ltd

You really are a remarkable editor. It is always satisfying to read the changes you propose to improve texts. And your commitment to excellence is also contagious. Thank you so much for taking this on at such short notice: we’re really grateful.

World Health Organization

Thanks very much for your work. Your copy-edit was really good, both in improving readability and in pointing out/questioning issues with content

Cambridge Publishing Management Ltd

I have been very impressed with Lydia's work – her excellent grasp of the English language, her eye for detail, her confidence in presenting queries and she is also very conscientious and easy to work with. I have hired Lydia again as she is an asset to the project team

Spotlight Market Research & Editing

Many thanks for your help, Lydia. That was all very painless and you were very pleasant to work with as well as being highly professional. I hope all my future experience of copy-editing is as friendly and efficient as this has been

Cambridge University Press author

• Editor
• Proofreader

• Non-fiction
• Allied health & nursing
• English literature
• Environment & nature
• Health, fitness & wellness
• Humanities
• International relations
• Life sciences
• Medical & dental
• Science
• Social sciences