Jeremy Lowe
Proofreading and Editorial Services
My name is Dr. Jeremy Lowe, an experienced academic proofreader and editor with many years’ experience working on dissertations and theses, and in preparing monographs, conference papers and journal articles
How I Can Help You
My role is to prepare academic materials for publication or presentation at the postgraduate and higher academic levels. On a weekly basis I might be working on conference papers, journal articles, or book-length monographs. I have a range of academic clients from around the world writing in many diverse disciplines. My postgraduate work has ranged from master’s theses on medieval literature or sociology to PhD dissertations on international politics.
Editing isn’t a cold and formal process, it’s a very personal thing. The relationship between editor and author is consequently very important to me. It is not only a matter of ensuring precision in editing but also of establishing trust. My goal is to be professional, approachable and friendly. Understanding your needs, meeting deadlines, ensuring that your writing is a success – these are all part of the editing process. But so is the reassurance that you have someone you can turn to for advice, who you know will help you with your writing, and who will be there at the drop of an email.
Proofreading
A sweep for basic mistakes, including formatting problems, spelling, occasional grammar and inconsistencies. A sweep for basic mistakes, including formatting problems,
Light Edit
A read-through of the document that catches all the errors, but also offers suggestions on phrasing/word choice and provides some editorial suggestions
Heavy/Copy Edit
As with a light edit, but with additional work on structure, as well as commentary on argument and flow of the paper. Expressions and word choices are also covered by a copy edit
What I Do
I now have over fifteen years’ successful experience of providing academic-level editing.
My work primarily helps people for whom English is a second language, but also benefits anyone preparing written material for presentation or publication. I am primarily an academic editor – I regularly work on dissertations for submission to major universities and book titles for academic publishing houses, and I edit journal articles and papers for conference presentations.
However, it is not enough to be able to correct grammar: to be of use to you a good editor needs to know academic conventions and discourse and have a subtle approach to language. Editing is not just attention to detail but also a new way of seeing, one that brings clarity, freshness and energy.
Editing is also a constant process of communication: friendly, open and professional. I remain in touch throughout the process, able to adapt to your wishes and to provide precise responses to your ideas. I offer a service that focuses on your work with expert attention to detail, clarity and responsiveness.
My Editorial Approach
Whatever your circumstances, as a writer you bring the talent, the vision and the ideas, but you need a trained professional to look at your work with an objective, fresh eye, and raise it to the highest possible standard. Your writing deserves the utmost care and attention, and the knowledge that both you and your work are treated with the greatest respect.
My Qualifications
2006 – present – Freelance editor
2001 – 2004 – Junior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham
2000 – 2001 – Visiting Fellow at Pembroke College, Cambridge
2000 – PhD in English Literature, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
1993 – MPhil in Medieval Studies, University College Dublin
1991 – BA in English, University of Birmingham
Areas of Experience
History
Literature
Economics
Sociology
Geopolitics
Linguistics
Biology
Statistics
Business Studies
Publishing Experience
One book, Desiring Truth: The Process of Judgment in Fourteenth-century Art and Literature, published by Routledge in 2005, being an examination of the visual and literary culture of Ricardian England in the context of the philosophical and theological developments of the time.
Articles on medieval literature, Old Irish literature and Irish studies published in academic journals and books of essays both in the UK and the US.
Joint editor of an academic Festschrift, featuring essays from an international panel of experts.
Editor of the academic journal Æstel from 1995-1998.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to contact me?
Via the contact form or via email. It’s always better to be able to follow up enquiries via email as each person’s editing requirements are different and need to be set out in writing.
How do you work?
Chapter by chapter using Word’s Track Changes function. Working chapter by chapter allows you to stay in control of the process and work more efficiently; you need to be able to tailor the editing as we go along. I always proofread the document at the end – it is an essential part of the process.
How available are you throughout the process?
I am online all day and will answer emails as soon as they come in. I can answer urgent emails over the weekend.
Do you edit footnotes or fact check?
I can edit footnotes to conform with any stylesheet – either generic or specific to a journal or publisher. I do not fact check.
Do you edit undergraduate essays?
No. I believe there are plagiarism issues there. I also suggest that dissertation editing should be approved by the relevant department and/or supervisor.
Is my work anonymous?
Yes. I do not publish details of your work anywhere online. I do not discuss projects with others or use them for references.
What timeframe are we looking at?
Of course, this depends on the level of work, but for a PhD dissertation you should allocate at least two weeks. Be mindful that I do need to proofread the document at the end.