Melanie James | Multilingual Academic Editor/Proofreader | History | Arts | Culture | Languages | Literature | Corporate Communications

Me at a glance:

I am a multilingual academic editor and proofreader of non-fiction. I specialise in academic editing and proofreading of historical subjects, the arts, culture, literature and languages (particularly French and German) and business writing.

I've lived and worked in France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the UK and speak English, French and German.

I work with publishers, academic institutions, university presses and independent academic authors and scholars, including PhD students, corporate institutions and independent businesses.

Let me help you make perfect sense for maximum impact.

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My qualifications:

MBA: University of Lancaster

MA: Britain in the First World War, University of Birmingham (Distinction). Research subsequently published in Cornwall and the Great War, Perspectives on Conflict and Place by the Institute of Cornish Studies/University of Exeter

BA (Hons): University of Warwick, French (2:1)

Postgraduate diploma in International Marketing Management: Boston University, Brussels, Belgium

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My academic background:

I have an MA in History (Britain in the First World War) and have published my work through the Institute of Cornish Studies/University of Exeter. 

I also have a BA (Hons) in French cultural studies (History, Literature, Theatre, Film and Cinema, Philosophy). 

I edit and proofread academic texts on historical subjects, literature, the arts, culture, languages (English, French, German) and linguistics.

I work with academic institutions, university presses, publishers, academic authors, independent scholars, including PhD students.

I work on books, including multi-author volumes, chapters, journals, articles, conference papers, non-native English texts.

My business background:

I have an MBA and a postgraduate diploma in International Marketing Management.

I worked in the travel industry for over 20 years in a number of European countries advising some truly global brands: Lufthansa, Star Alliance, LSG Sky Chefs, Holiday Inn Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and the European Central Bank (ECB).

My clients have won awards and contracts based on my written submissions.

• Research and writing, rewriting, copywriting, editing (light, substantive, developmental), proofreading

• Websites, brochures, newsletters, white papers, blogs, video scripts, bid proposals, annual reports, flyers, award submissions

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My specialist subjects:

History:

• European, British
• Early Middle Ages, Middle Ages
• Renaissance
• Early Modern history, Modern history, Late Modern history
• French Revolution
• Industrial Revolution
• Victorian, Edwardian
• Colonialism, Imperialism, Empire
• First World War/World War I, Interwar period, Second World War/World War II, Post-war period, Cold war
• Cornwall
• Genealogy, Family history, Memoirs

Literature| Theatre| Film| Cinema

Languages and Linguistics: 

• English
• French
• German

Corporate Communications: 

• Business writing
• Branding

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My testimonials – kind words from just a few of my clients:

Enrico Lange, Director, Corporate Marketing, LSG Sky Chefs:

I was extremely fortunate in my choice to hire Melanie as Project Manager. She caught on extremely fast and brought with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She was highly appreciated by Senior Management, colleagues and external parties, having quickly established rapport and become a full-fledged member of the team. During her time working with me she completed several complex projects of global scope, interacting daily with stakeholders around the world. Her overall performance was outstanding, consistently delivering results and adding value. I highly recommend Melanie to any organization/company.

Mark Davies, Director, Loyalty & Corporate Marketing, Star Alliance:

Melanie is very conscientious and diligent. She is enthusiastic, project-delivery focused and able to deal with everyone in an efficient and friendly manner in a fully multicultural environment across the globe. Works well under pressure and is able to handle multi-faceted projects effectively, on time, on budget.

Alison Lessmann, Managing Director, En Route International:

Melanie’s written communication skills are second to none. I thoroughly recommend her for any written project. She is highly academic and approaches her work with meticulous and scrupulous attention to detail. She rigorously researches her topic and is thus able to offer perceptive and insightful comments to ensure clear and concise text to engage any reader, irrespective of the subject matter. Melanie has worked with us on a number of projects which include revising our website content, authoring the script for a first-class product video, and composing the supporting documentation for submission to a review panel which resulted in our winning a coveted industry award. Melanie is an excellent asset to any project.

John Krempa, Manager, Ground Standards and Operations, Star Alliance:

Melanie is a passionate, results-oriented leader who creatively thinks outside the box to solve complex and dynamic problems. I have seen Melanie not only be on top of the competition but to offer solutions which are operationally sound. She is at her best when faced with challenging business problems or the need to develop new ways to improve the business. Melanie has an energy and dedication that is impressive and often unparalleled, and she is a team player who always has the best interest of the company at heart.

Damian Hinds, VP Commercial, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EMEA (formerly Secretary of State for Education, 2018-2019):

Melanie is hard-working, enthusiastic and a very trustworthy colleague. I found her creative, proactive and always willing to learn and add to her skill-set. Melanie is a team-player but also knows how to draw out the best in herself and others. Melanie would be a great asset to any organisation and I am pleased to commend her.

Christopher David Handbury, Author, Practitioner and Senior TCM Consultant:

I have just completed my first publication with the help of Melanie and her copy editing magic! I'm a 'newbie' but Melanie made the whole process so enjoyable, her communication and professional attitude shone through and we weren't short of a few giggles either. I highly recommend using Melanie for her services, I have more publications due in the future and Melanie will be my 'go-to' editor.

Ronald M. James, Author, Historian, Folklorist, former Heritage Officer:

Melanie heroically reached across the Atlantic to transform one continent's English into something more akin to the poetry of Britain. That accomplished, Melanie did not put down her pen: she focused on hundreds of details, polishing the text, questioning items and correcting errors. While it would have been easy to declare the project complete after a couple of passes through the manuscript, Melanie continued her quest, and thanks to her tenacity, my forthcoming book is a much stronger presentation. I may be assailed for what I wrote, but thanks to Melanie, I have confidence that I will not be criticized for the words that express the thoughts.

Rob Shaw, Director:

I contracted Melanie's editorial services for my MBA thesis in preparation for its submission. She was extremely professional in her approach and was very clear about the type of support she could provide. Her editing work was comprehensive and detailed, and the thesis was greatly improved in terms of the flow and clarity and I achieved a Distinction. Melanie ensured the work met the requirements of academic standards and greatly improved its presentation. Her challenging style helped me to do my best work at a very stressful time. I would highly recommend Melanie to other students undertaking academic/research activity.

• Editor
• Proofreader

• Art & culture
• Biography, autobiography & memoir
• Business & finance
• Classics
• Communications
• Drama
• English as a second language
• English literature
• History
• Humanities
• International relations
• Language arts
• Languages
• Linguistics
• Media studies
• Narrative non-fiction
• Performing arts
• Philosophy
• Publishing
• Reference
• Social sciences
• Sociology
• Sport & leisure
• Television, film & radio
• Transport
• Travel & tourism
• War & military

• Transcription
• Copywriting
• Translating
• Content marketing
• Subtitling/captioning
• Self-publishing
• Writing
• Ebooks
• Business writing
• Proposal writing
• Interpreting
• Bid/grant writing
• Project management
• Abstracting