editing references

‘Alison has brought order and direction to my writing, where required, inviting me to consider what might be expressed better and bringing sense to some of my more chaotic ideas … without over editing and slowing the flow. This she has achieved with the diplomacy and tact common to all good editors and essential when dealing with temperamental authors and their work.’

Simon Baseley

Author

‘Alison has professionally and patiently guided me through the process of getting my childrens’ book from developmental edit to publication. Her calm manner and knowledge were an invaluable guide and motivation.’

Jane Snookes

Author and self-publisher, Quantor Chronicles

‘You’ve really helped us make the deadline here’

‘Thanks for all your hard (and swift!) work on the reports, we’d be very stuck without you on the team’

‘It would be great if you had the availability to do at least three during that span’

Copyediting InDesign of Smithers Information reports

Gary Blatchford

Director, Moot Editorial and Design

‘Brilliant! Thanks so much for getting through this before your holiday.’

‘I have more books if you’re ready for another. If not, could you let me know when you’re likely to be free again.’

Copyediting various academic publications

Dr Kate Boothby

Projects Co-ordinator, Bourchier

Dear Alison, Thank you for your professional and continuous support during the editing process of the book which included the insertion of numerous images in each of the chapters and the names of Japanese people and places.  Your patience with my requests for corrections was very much appreciated.

Best wishes, Susan

Susan Carpenter

Autobiography, Forget the Third Arrow and Behold the Old World Order

Dear Alison, It has been for me a pleasure working with you, I am overwhelmed by the book, so a big Scottish thank you and I will keep in touch.

Yours sincerely

Richard Glass

Richard Glass

Autobiography, The Long Journey

‘I’ve always believed that every book should benefit from a professional edit. Sadly, this isn’t a hard and fast rule in these times of self-publishing and print-on-demand. Alison has solved many problems for me as a writer and as a  publisher. In the first (writing) instance, she doesn’t allow my scribblings, which can be a little eccentric, to drift too far into obscurity and always brings the narrative back into proper perspective. In the second (publishing) instance, she has been invaluable to Gatecrasher Books, solving all the finicky problems associated with formatting, design, registry, accounts, etc., that I am either too busy, too confused, or too lazy to do myself. Thanks Alison.’

John McDonald

Writer and publisher, Gatecrasher Books

‘Many thanks for all your editorial efforts and for juggling jobs around so that you could prioritise Incredible Edibles – very much appreciated!’

Alastair Laing

Senior Editor, DK Life

‘I  have a document for you to work your magic on …’

‘most excellent! – well done you …’

‘I’m pretty sure they don’t have templates for documents, so can you create one please …’

‘Thanks for looking at it so quickly …’

Is there any chance that you can format a survey for me? … Brilliant’

Christina Dixon Consulting, range of report formatting, proofreading, designing

Christina Dixon

Editing and formatting, Christina Dixon Consulting

‘The book is great thank you for all your hard work.’

Keith Brown

Mere Kaffir, Available on Amazon

‘We are very pleased with the work that you’ve done and we have since sent the Report to the printers.’

Oonagh Corrigan

Who Cares for the Carers?, Healthwatch Essex

“I would like to say thank you for the book and cover. I do not mind admitting that I was a little bit emotional when I saw what you had done; after all the hard work to finally see it looking like a book was fantastic … I would like to say how much I value all the help and support you have given me.”

Andrew Walker

Following The Star, Available on Lulu

‘Just been back to look at the very glossy proof copy with Lola and we are absolutely delighted! Well bloody done to all of us and a very big thank you to you for making it all happen!!’

Nick Brookland

Escape From London: book editing and design and production as print and ebook; WordPress website, Cabby and Co

Doing Feminisms In The Academy: Identity, Institutional Pedagogy And Critical Classrooms In India And The Uk

We were up against a tight deadline to catch a window in the publisher’s schedule. Having you on board taking care of the copy editing not only ensured we met that deadline with a clean manuscript but also  created vital head headspace for us as editors to enable us to keep the overall intellectual project in sight, and spend time finessing the Introduction etc

Fiona Mackay

Academic, multi-author book, University of Edinburgh, UK, and Ambedkar University Delhi, India

Thank you for your prompt sample edit. It’s great that you can meet my deadline. After the initial shock at so much editing I realized it does make reading easier so I am happy to go ahead with you as editor and for the layout for printing and formatting for ebook.

Hazel

Biography, Self-Publishing author

Thanks for the good job in general!

Many and various

Academic copy editing, Sunrise Setting

Thank you for this. I am very happy for you to send your invoice over.

Craig Newbery-Jones

Thesis edit: Constructing a Popular Image: The Press Representation of the Bar in the Nineteenth Century

‘I have just received our copies and would just like to thank everyone involved in its production. It is a great piece of work and a credit to the organisation!’

Barbara King

Love the Flavour Guide, editing and collating, Food and Drink Devon

Dear Alison,
I’ve written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users.

Details of the Recommendation: “Alison copy-edited my book on mobile commerce. As well as correcting the grammar, she found many ways to improve the book’s readability. She took the trouble to understand the subject matter and thereby to highlight some inconsistencies in the text. And importantly she completed her review within the agreed timescale. I would have no hesitation in using her services again or in recommending them to others.”
Service Category: Writer/Editor
Year first hired: 2013
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, On Time

Rupert Potter

mCommerce, copy editing

‘I look forward to working with you again’ Academic copyediting for Routledge

Dave Wright

Production Manager, Saxon Graphics

As such a significant part of our schedule is devoted to an ongoing series of projects which come either on a drip feed or a gushing torrent, it can be problematic for us to manage the annual schedule. Something that is vital to the smooth running of our business is the ability of freelance editors to promptly react to changing circumstances and lack of warning on our part about upcoming projects. Alison has, on multiple occasions!, ironed out a kink in our pipeline by responding quickly, accurately, and even over the weekend!

Copyediting InDesign of Smithers Information reports

Gary Blatchford

Director, Moot Editorial and Design

‘We had a technical report for produce for an electricity distribution network to summarise multiple phases of research conducted. This was a very tight turnaround with limited time for our internal quality checks to be implemented. Alison was able to very quickly comprehend the technical information, and provide an amended and edited document within the tight timescales required.’

Dawn Mulvey

Copy editing, Impact Market Research

‘I have now gone through the pages and find the text  really improved. A fantastic job creating flow and better understanding.’

Paul McQueen

Copy editing, Hotlifestyle

‘Thanks ever so much … I’ll send another one to be edited after this one’ Academic copyediting for a variety of publishing houses

Keith Povey

Povey Editorial

‘You are such a great editor and we really appreciate the work you do.’
Author feedback:

‘I think the level of editing is very good. Thanks for this great work.’
‘Please extend to your copyeditor who did the proof-reading my acknowledgement and thanks for her good work.’

Many and various

Over 60 academic publications, Newgen Knowledge Works

‘Needless to say I am very grateful for your diligence and professionalism in the work.’

Francis Rothery

Missional: Impossible!, Wipf and Stock

‘Great, thanks. Yes, complete and final.’

Kieran McSherry

Mac Family Finance course booklets, edit and layout as ebooks, Macs Finance

design references

Editing and designing information presentation and book

A big thanks to Alison Shakspeare for pulling the mass of information together and making a dream a reality!

Martyn Bate

Briton Ferry Rugby Club

Branding package for real estate business in US: logo, colour scheme, stationery and website items

‘I do like what you did for the cover. That’s a good template I can see myself using.’

‘Perfect! Thank you so much for your help (and patience)!’

Anna Tamaoka

Proprietor, Peppercorn Properties

Alison was really helpful, friendly and gave me lots of advice for the next stage of my book. I employed her to edit and prepare my book for publishing … One of the stages I had problems with was the cover page … Alison was brilliant and she managed to sort out the right pixel size and placed the fairy dust, font and colour of the cover page. Alison solved a lot of other formatting issues for me. She is very professional and helpful and I couldn’t have produced my books if it wasn’t for her.

Tracey Bryant

Design of children's books and ebook formatting, The Dog Poo Fairy/The Wildlife Rescue Fairy

‘great! thank you : ) ‘
‘I like what you’ve done, great start!! … the egg ID is fantastic and in place on website.’
Louise Ayre

Updated WordPress website, sales print, Black Dog Eggs

‘Saw the latest proofs, wonderful, go for it!’

‘I know you’re up to the job skills wise, putting ebooks together (with all content supplied) to look professional & pretty. And I’d prefer to work with someone I already know if you’re up for it?’

Polly Hale

Eat Drink and Be Slim book / Fit Mum Formula documentation, Fit Mum Formula

I have been very impressed with your professionalism and your ability to get on with things. I feel I can rely on you and am very happy to recommend you to others. The whole process has given me a number of ideas to pursue and I am talking with a colleague about another possible book.
Thanks again Alison and I’m looking forward to working together again in the future.
Simon Coath

Edit, design and layout, publish, Simon Coath Consultancy

most of all, I am thrilled and very proud to have got my life story into print and into the hands of those who matter to me.

Thank you, Alison for your dedicated, skilful, professional work and for the confidence I felt throughout that my treasures were in safe hands. 

Laura Conyngham

Design and layout, Chronicles 1950–2020

Hi Alison, … Thanks for all your help. You’ve been really professional and I’d happily use your services again.

Kind regards, Richard

Richard Grainger

Thriller, Losing the Plot – No. 1 in the Richie Malone series

Dear Alison, The book is beautiful, exactly what I envisioned.

Best wishes, Susan

Susan Carpenter

Autobiography, Forget the Third Arrow and Behold the Old World Order

“I would like to say thank you for the book and cover. I do not mind admitting that I was a little bit emotional when I saw what you had done; after all the hard work to finally see it looking like a book was fantastic … I would like to say how much I value all the help and support you have given me.”

Andrew Walker

Following The Star, Available on Lulu

‘The brochures have arrived and they look brilliant.’

‘Looks lovely. Well done’

‘Alison’s been busy working her magic on the leaflet.’

Michael Oakshott

Wordpress blog, Facebook and Pinterest sites, design of ads, leaflets, pattern booklets, trade information, Oakshott Fabrics

Layout of bilingual poetry book
I love the way the copy (the proof book in my hand) looks.
Pleasure was mine, Alison.  You were more on top of the MS and changes than was I.  Can I embellish any words of praise I may have sent your way?
Joe Polacco

Poet

Branding images
‘My logo is looking quite terrific on my packaging. And.. so is the Pinwheels and Friends logo. Thank you so much.’
‘I would like a logo which doesn’t scream Quilt Store in case I want to use it for other things such as my olive oil from Greece. So, it should be versatile.’
‘it would be wonderful if you could design a pattern cover for Pinwheels.’
Maria Tamaoke

Proprietor, Pinwheels

‘I am happy to recommend Alison. She did an excellent job of managing a challenging project involving a suite of documents that needed to be turned around quickly.’

Hilary Cadman

Set of booklets for WHO on TB assessment, Cadman Editing Services

‘The book is great thank you for all your hard work.’

Keith Brown

Mere Kaffir

‘You have done an excellent job. Thank you.’
‘Excellent work. Just what I wanted.’
‘Thank you as ever.’

David Addis

EU documentation, European Union Enlargement

a) editing, designing and publishing the book ‘Just been back to look at the very glossy proof copy with Lola and we are absolutely delighted! Well bloody done to all of us and a very big thank you to you for making it all happen!!’ and b) the website ‘Thank you, not only your efficacy, but also your alacrity!’

Nick Brookland

Escape From London: book editing and design and production as print and ebook; WordPress website, Cabby and Co

Seriously Alison, I thank you so much for that. I will get there slowly but surely! You are a Star.

Deborah Butler

Training on using Word and Excel, including formatting, mail merge, Balloons

Anyone who needs a Design and Typesetter if you are writing a book, article etc you HAVE TO USE Alison Shakspeare, she is amazing, it looks like my book “How to Teach Dyslexics to Read, Write and Compose Music”, is going to be finalised very shortly and it would have been impossible without Alison’s Skill and professionalism, she also does websites!!! An absolute Godsend that I found her because I was panicking bigtime, her attention to detail is phenomenal
Deborah Alobah

Singer and teacher

Top reviews from United Kingdom

This is a wonderfully well written book. It is highly informative and an easy read. Deborah Aloba’s passion for this area and helping her students effortlessly lifts off the page and engages its reader. It highlights some of the barriers and problems that many dyslexic students can face when learning music. There are many helpful tips and suggestions that can be used to engage and help dyslexic students of music. I have found as a dyslexic myself that many suggestions can be tried and tested to improve other areas of everyday life too. I highly recommend a read.
Amazing and thoroughly informative, well written reference book covering all aspects of dyslexia.
I loved the book. It is very well written and informative with many helpful images presented in an attractive and clear manner. Deborah clearly has a wonderful understanding of students with dyslexia who want to learn music and singing. I am a music teacher and look forward to using this book with my students. The format and visual aids are beautiful and clear.
Deborah Alobah

Teaching Dyslexics How to Read and Write Music, Singer and teacher

‘Thanks it looks fab. J. is really pleased’

‘I’m actually using my editor Alison to do the really technical bits as she’s more reliable than X’

wife events

life by wife ebook, wife events

‘Great, thanks. Yes, complete and final.’

Kieran McSherry

Mac Family Finance course booklets, edit and layout as ebooks, Macs Finance

Website References

‘Wow! Just what the doctor ordered.’
Louise Ayre

Updated WordPress website, Black Dog Eggs

‘Thank you so much for trekking all the way up here to show me how to make changes to my website. It was much appreciated and meant that I could start to put some real meat on the bones.’

Kay Hawkins

New WordPress website, Monument Editorial Services

The site looks lovely

Keith Povey

New WordPress website, Povey Editorial

‘Thank you, not only your efficacy, but also your alacrity!’

Nick Brookland

Escape From London: book editing and design and production as print and ebook; WordPress website, Cabby and Co

‘The new site looks great … Love the Reviews and Awards page … Love the slider’

John F. McDonald

New WordPress Website

‘We love it!’

‘Thank you! All uploaded and looking good.’

Michael Oakshott

Wordpress blog, Facebook and Pinterest sites, design of ads, leaflets, pattern booklets, trade information, Oakshott Fabrics

‘Thanks Alison you are a star!
Looks great.’
David Oliver

New WordPress website, Oliver's Bakery

Brilliant, thanks so much. I wish everyone was as efficient as you!

Rosemary

Wordpress website, Crediton Town Team

Copywriting References

‘Thanks for the text, it sounds good … I think I’m going to need someone like you on board.’

‘I will be in contact regarding the sales letters, these have already been written but I would like your opinion on them or any adjustments you think that are necessary.’

‘I need some inspiring words for this [eBay] listing!’

‘Can you please supply a short introduction for Instagram? I’ll let you decide what best to write.’

Tim Squance

Director, Bespoak Furniture & Joinery

Writing product descriptions:

‘Oooh, you did get in the zone, Alison! It fits the bill perfectly – it’s exactly what we need.  Thank you so much.’

‘I’ll take a gallon of that creative juice too please! Well done.’

Michael Oakshott

Director, Oakshott Fabrics

Interview for Flair Magazine issue 30

‘I enjoyed our conversation on Tuesday, and am delighted with what you’ve written as a result.’

Bonnie McKerracher

Maker, Bonnies Workshop

A regular comment on production of one of a whole series of articles in the field of sewing:

‘That is brilliant, well done. Great reading. It goes in as it is!’

Liz Keegan

Editor, Flair Magazine

On seeing the results of a telephone interview for issue 26 of Flair:

‘I am impressed by what you said about the contribution to Western medicine, architecture, mathematics and astronomy its what i came across in my research and was amazed and it made me want to explore more. It really encouraged me and I was amazed that you kind of picked up on that.’

Nahida Mahmood

Designer