I read Economics at St Andrews University and followed this with an MA in Political Economy at the UEA. These two led me into a career commissioning academic monographs which then spread to encompass a variety of genres. In addition to commissioning, I have also spent time marketing books, dealing with designers and writing press releases and blurbs.

I have attended a Copywriting course at the Publishing Training Centre in London and have completed the Chapterhouse Proofreading and Editorial Skills course.

I became a freelance proofreader and copy-editor in July 2004 and am an Associate Member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders.

My interests include classic cars, fencing, photography and old houses. I live in Cromer with my wife and small daughter.

Tips for better proofreading

Read your copy twice. Once for the sense of it and again slowly to catch the errors. If you find yourself reading too fast, try reading it backwards.

Cromer Pier

Concentrate. Don't be distracted by the message of the text – you are looking for the errors.

Don't edit at this stage. Only if there is something obviously wrong should it be queried.

Check details and statistics. Are dates consistent? Do references tally?

Use standard proofreading marks – that way your message to the typesetter is not ambiguous.

Don't proof your own work – you know what you meant to say and your brain will correct the errors.

If in doubt, employ a professional.