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About me
Hello, I'm Kirsty Parkinson
I'm an editor and proofreader based in the UK, although I can work with you wherever you are in the world.
I provide fiction editing and proofreading support to independent authors and publishers working in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy and romance.
I also offer non-fiction proofreading and copyediting services to businesses, charities and publishers – in particular in the fields of gardening and horticulture, parenting, films, media and board games.
Experience
My background is in magazine publishing. I have worked in-house on national gardening and tourism titles as an editorial assistant, sub-editor and senior sub-editor.
As a freelance editor I have provided editorial support to self-publishing authors, publishers and businesses, including regular work on content for grant funding websites serving the voluntary and charitable sector and the academic research community, covering fields as diverse as local council services and space science engineering.
Over the years I've written articles that have been published in a variety of magazines, and I won the 2005 New Journalist of the Year Award from the Garden Writers’ Guild (now the Garden Media Guild).
Qualifications & Professional Training
I have a first-class BA Honours degree in English and film and media studies from the University of Stirling, which allowed me to indulge my love for genre writing in both novels and movies. (I even chose to write my final dissertation on science fiction writing by women.)
As well as having practical editorial training during my in-house career, I have completed in-depth courses with the Publishing Training Centre (PTC) and strive to keep up to date with relevant professional knowledge and techniques as part of my career development. This includes:
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PTC Basic Editing by Distance Learning (tutor-assessed course)
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PTC Introduction to Editing Skills (tutor-assessed course)
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PTC Grammar at Work (self-study course)
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Louise Harnby's Switching to Fiction (self-study course)
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Margaret Aherne's Proofreading Practice (self-study course)
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Adrienne Montgomerie's Editing with Word (self-study course)
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London College of Communication Advanced Sub Editing (tutor-assessed course)
I'm a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), which requires its members to work in accordance with its Code of Practice.
At home
I grew up on a small island in the Scottish Hebrides, but I now live in the lovely Lincolnshire Wolds. I spend my time enjoying life in the countryside: hiking and running; devouring sci-fi, fantasy and romance novels; and enthusing, collecting and trying – with increasing futility – to beat my children at board games.
Picture credits Headshots by Elli Cassidy Portraits. Thank you so much for making me look professional and relaxed (a difficult task when dealing with someone who hates having her photo taken!).
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