editing

non-fiction for children

I've been a freelance writer and editor of non-fiction for children for thirty years. I write to commissioned briefs, copy-edit, proof-read, prepare sample material, rewrite or work with expert authors to tailor their ideas to the required age group. Think of any subject area and I've probably worked on a book about that topic: maths, history, craft, geography, science, world affairs, puzzles, natural history... I've covered all age groups too, from preschoolers to secondary. Oh, yes, and every possible market: library, mass market, schools. Clients include A&C Black, BBC Education, Dorling Kindersley, Discovery Books, Dragon's World, National Museums of Scotland, Quarto, Nelson Thornes, Two-Can/Act-Two.

magazines and newsletters

I created and edited a termly newsletter for teachers on behalf of Moat Brae, Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Books and Storytelling.

For six years, I was editor of Words & Pictures, the weekly online newsletter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in the British Isles. I was responsible for updating Words & Pictures from a blog to a regular weekly journal and managing a large team of volunteer writers, illustrators and editors.