Iris Hurst

Headline

Professional copyeditor and proofreader. Efficient and effective editing and proofreading.

Biography

Hi! I'm Iris. Thanks for taking a look at my Bio.

First off, what exactly is a copy editor and proofreader, and what does that person do?

I found this neat description in a NASA style guide published in 1990: "An editor is responsible for ensuring that a consistent and correct set of grammar and punctuation rules have been applied. Language and substantive edits involve the revision of sometimes perfectly grammatical sentences to improve the effectiveness of sentence structure. A rule of grammar or punctuation with a functional basis will not prevent the effective statement of ideas, nor will following all the rules ensure effective writing."

This is how I approach editing. My role is not to change anything; it is merely to examine the technical aspects and mechanics of writing to improve it and catch errors that may have been overlooked in the writing process. While that may sound simple, editing and proofreading require a certain level of skill, sensing the nuances and preserving the author's voice and intent. It's about knowing when to apply grammatical rules, and how to respect the writing, making improvements that bring value and enhance the work.

My interest in copy editing and proofreading was piqued by many years of working in the corporate world (skills development and higher education). Many of my colleagues and superiors weren't native English speakers, and I became the go-to expert they would approach to have their work checked and polished. This led me to make a bold career move out of corporate and into freelancing for copy editing and proofreading projects.

With a background in the arts, I decided to pursue copy editing and proofreading as a career and equipped myself with the necessary qualifications, knowledge, and know-how to provide a professional service to writers from all fields, including, but definitely not limited to academia, business, fiction, and nonfiction.

My portfolio includes a wide variety of work, from line editing translated audiobook scripts to copy editing business documents, educational manuscripts, training guides, online content for a business management institution, and an assortment of academic dissertations for master's students.

I'm proud to be part of the Dibbly/The Urban Writers team and excited to have access to such a wide variety of genres and talented writers.

I'm enthusiastic and resilient, a perfectionist, and a self-confessed workaholic. I will polish your work so that it outshines all of the rest, so take a chance on me, and I promise I won't disappoint.

Previous experience, degrees, and qualifications

I am a qualified proofreader and copy editor with a strong background in the arts and business environment. I professionally edit and proofread non-fiction and fiction.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree and have formal proofreading, copy editing, and report writing training.

I have experience copyediting and proofreading business writing, training manuals, policies, procedures, and academic dissertations. I also have experience in the ed-tech industry, and I have solid knowledge of APA and Chicago MOS. One of my career highlights was editing translated audiobook scripts, and another was being involved in the development of skills training policies and procedures.

Interests and hobbies

I love reading, without a doubt, but as a creative soul, I enjoy painting, dancing, and singing. I've recently started piano lessons (yes! at my age!). I love being outdoors, either bike riding with my family or taking my dog for a walk.

How I'd describe my personality in two sentences

I'm an enthusiastic and positive person who loves life. I'm disciplined, conscientious, resilient, and self-driven, with a good sense of humor and bucketloads of patience.

How I'd describe my approach to my work

I take my work seriously and focus all of my attention on a project. I have a keen eye for detail, and I am also a stickler for the rules, which is why I find editing and proofreading so rewarding. I take on each project with gusto and energy and tend to become completely absorbed in what I do. I love to learn, research, and find out more about topics outside of my general scope of knowledge, so you can be sure that I will find your project interesting, and I'll make an effort to understand the material so as to edit it as proficiently as possible.

Why should you choose me for your project

Your vision is unique, and my role is to help you express your vision in the best way possible. I will polish your work so that it outshines all of the rest, giving you a finished product that you will be proud to publish.

Portfolio

No samples are available to view here.

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