Mr Paul Martin | Editor, Education/History

Highly experienced education resource developer, copy-editor and proofreader; a history specialist with experience across a wide range of subjects for the UK and International Schools markets. Formerly a Senior Content and Learning Specialist (Development Editor) and project lead at Pearson UK, I am now a full-time freelance editor, consultant and author. I work on a range of education, academic and trade publishing, including supporting independent authors of fiction and non-fiction.

A History post-graduate from Warwick University, I have been working in educational publishing since 2002. I have worked across a range of Humanities, English, Science and BTEC subjects at Key Stages 1-5. My History specialisms are Religion and Warfare, in particular England 1450-1650, but I am well-versed in a wide range of topics - including 20th-century world history. I am also comfortable working on projects outside of educational publishing. I have a wide range of satisfied clients who highly value my work and am always keen to expand my project base.

I can offer:

• content development and author management
• editorial/project management
• copy-editing, proofreading, fact-checking
• content reversioning and authoring
• experience with picture research, photography, text and media permissions clearance
• market and competitor research, product trialling.

I am also an Edexcel History tour reviewer and consultant, and am very familiar with their endorsement process.

I authored a revision guide on the Cold War for Pearson's AQA Revise series and two titles for OUP's AQA History revision series (Inter-war Conflict and Tension, Elizabeth). I was the series editor (and author, Edexcel Germany) for the Scholastic GCSE History revision series, and consulted on PGOnline's ClearRevise History. I wrote (History of Warfare) for and reviewed Educake's new Edexcel History revision quizzes and have also written resource lists for ALCS.

Media

• Educational materials
• Books
• Multi-author books
• Illustrated books
• Digital learning resources

Experience

• Freelance since 2017
• Senior Content & Learning Specialist, Pearson UK, 2008-2016
• Editor, Badger Learning, 2002-2008
• Published poet and author

Clients

• Pearson/Edexcel
• The Historical Association
• The Standards and Testing Agency
• The International Baccalaureate
• Open University
• Oxford University Press
• Scholastic
• Educake
• Just Content
• Surrigo
• QBS Learning
• Elektra Media
• Kube Publishing
• Simon & Schuster
• Cambridge University Press
• Wearset (academic, for Taylor & Francis)
• Spi Global (academic, for CUP)
• Kognity: intelligent textbooks
• Authorhelp.uk
• ALCS
• Oriel Square
• Global Blended Learning
• Integra
• Haremi
• NewGen Knowledge Works
• Westchester Education Services
• Pen & Sword
• Boydell & Brewer
• Whitefox
• Boldwood Books

Subjects

I have experience working on subjects across the full school curriculum from primary up to A-Level for the UK and International Schools markets. My primary focus is History (general, early modern, church, military, religious, English, European, 15th-20th century, Wars of the Roses, Tudor, American, WW1, WW2, Cold War, communism, fascism), Education (resources, secondary, primary), but I am also comfortable working on Humanities, English, Science, BTEC and also non-educational titles.

I have written revision guides for AQA Conflict and Tension (Cold War, Inter-war) and Elizabeth, and Edexcel Weimar & Nazi Germany, online revision quizzes on Edexcel History of Warfare, and resource lists for ALCS on female leaders in Early Modern Britain, female participation in British politics pre-1900 and alternative views on Richard III.

I have also worked on fiction and non-fiction readers for reluctant readers, children's picture books and academic texts. Additionally, I have supported a number of independent self-publishing authors with consultancy and editorial work, and offer a student editorial service for theses and dissertations.

Finally, I am a published poet and keen photographer, and an avid reader of fantasy novels and historical fiction.

Qualifications

• MA in Religious and Social History
• BA in Renaissance and Modern History

Courses

• Freelance Publishing Professionals away day 2024
• Historical Association Conference 2024
• Historical Association Conference 2023
• Richard III Society: Wars of the Roses Schools Conference 2023
• Richard III Society: Wars of the Roses Schools Conference 2022
• Open University: How to Create a Great FutureLearn Course 2021
• Historical Association Online Conference 2021
• Historical Association Online Conference 2020
• SfEP North-East Mini-Conference 2019
• Educational Publishing Update: SfEP Professional Development Day 2018
• Inside Bloomsbury: Bloomsbury Institute panel on freelancers 2018

Testimonials

Paul has been my editor on a number of GCSE History titles and his attention to detail, historical knowledge and (most importantly) ability to skilfully improve my work without making me feel too inept about my errors are second to none. I always know my work will be far better for having been edited by Paul.

Author, Edexcel GCSE and KS3 History

I worked with Paul in-house for many years so when it came to publishing our new International GCSE History series, his name was top of my list for freelancers. His years of experience of development editing, copy-editing and proofreading, combined with his passion for and knowledge of the subject meant that I knew the project would be in great hands. He comes highly recommended.

Commissioning Editor, Pearson iGCSE History

I must say, this was a master copy-edit and [we] are very grateful for your efforts with our text.

Author, Wearset academic text, Taylor & Francis

Paul was an excellent development editor... well organised and always quick to respond, working at short notice to tight deadlines to a high standard. He was thorough and professional in all areas, including retroactive standardisation of different authors and historical fact-checking and research. In addition, Paul was always enthusiastic and extremely accommodating - it was a pleasure working with him and I would highly recommend him.

Project Lead, Historical Association

Paul was very meticulous and definitely improved the accuracy and readability of my book. Excellent lines of communication from the start. Paul was always very clear on what was needed from me and would also check that I was okay with certain suggestions. A joy to work with! Would thoroughly recommend Paul!

Author, Wearset academic text, Taylor & Francis

I’m very happy with how thoroughly you’ve gone through the text, and with how much attention you have also given to the bibliography, in which there were quite a few mistakes on my part. Your approach has been very thorough and consistent throughout, and the text has been much improved by your work.

Author, Wearset academic text, Taylor & Francis

Paul edited my text thoroughly and made suggestions and corrections that were very pertinent and helpful. On top of that, he later offered further suggestions on how to improve the manuscript. I valued his comments and the manuscript became considerably better for it.

After a while he contacted me and put me in touch with a very good publisher. I sent a few chapters to the publisher, they accepted the manuscript, I signed the contract with them and the process of having my memoir in print has started. Paul did for me much more than just copy-editing work.

Independent author, memoir

I would like to thank you for making such a masterly job of editing such a huge manuscript and at warp speed. Although the majority was copy-editing, you helpfully identified important oversights and lapses of continuity in the process... you also made valuable suggestions for two problem areas in my manuscript. I'm very happy to give my recommendations for your service.

Independent novelist

Paul provides a thorough and insightful development edit. He is particularly excellent at picking out key character details and ensuring consistency of story. He has a keen sense for story and a good knowledge of the fantasy genre and historical insight helps him make insightful recommendations for improvements for my historic-inspired fantasy. Particularly helpful is his attention to the language and developing writing to a higher standard by eliminating repetition and bland descriptors. Overall my novel was much stronger for the diligent and insightful editing Paul employed.

Independent novelist

[Y]ou have done a fantastic job. These look so, so, SO much better, and you write beautifully... A very big thank you!

Freelance publisher, KS4 History development ghost write

Paul has recently worked with me as both an author and a development editor, bringing his extensive experience as an editor to his authoring and his creative experience as an author to his editing. He's a fantastic communicator, keeping everything on track and digging in to ensure the manuscripts meet the brief. I've really enjoyed getting to know him during our catch-ups too, and hope we get to work together again soon.

Freelance publisher, History revision guides

Paul has a very professional attitude towards his work, combined with a friendly and approachable personality. He has always met any deadlines given, using initiative and experience to make suggestions and improvements, especially when under tight time pressures.

Paul has an excellent eye for detail, alongside a very in-depth grasp of language, spelling and grammar, which obviously demonstrates a love of, and feel for, the English language. He has constantly demonstrated his ability to get ‘up-to-speed’ quickly with new projects/style guides/editorial voices, whilst also helping to fill any gaps or contradictions with his own, rich professional experience.

I would definitely recommend Paul as an experienced editor, development editor or copy editor for any project.

Freelance editorial project manager, secondary education

• Editor
• Proofreader

• Education & training
• Historical fiction
• History
• Humanities
• War & military

• Editorial training
• Writing
• Project management