Freelance profile

Katriona John

Fast, accurate copy editor and proofreader for books and online material. Experience in using CMS, plus InDesign and Quark XPress. Also able to carry out writing and research. London-based. Can work remotely in both Mac OS and Windows XP.

Contact details:

Street: 57 Glenkerry House 98 Burcham Street
Town: London
Postcode: E14 0SL
Region/nation: London
Country: United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7515 0190
Mobile: 07985 900821

Skills:

See suggested rates:

Book editorRates: Print media - editing/producing books
ProofreaderRates: Sub-editing
Electronic publishingRates: Online/editing
from the Freelance Fees Guide.

Subjects:

  • Medicine
  • Health and fitness

Major clients:

  • British Medical Journal (Evidence Centre)
  • Dorling Kindersley

Profile last updated: 2012-02-01 15:14:59

Extra information:

Katriona (Katie) John 

Tel: 020 7515 0190 Mobile: 07985 900821   E-mail: katiejohn@f2s.com

A freelance editor with substantial experience of editing and writing high-quality text for illustrated non-fiction books. Also familiar with digital content editing and use of content management systems. Capable of handling a wide range of subjects, notably medicine and healthcare. Fast and accurate, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for excellence.

 

CAREER EXPERIENCE 
Digital content editor 2009–present  Copy-editor and tech editor at the British Medical Journal Evidence Centre, on products including Point of Care, Best Practice, Clinical Evidence, and Action Sets. This has entailed working with the X-hive Docato CMS as well as the Cerner Content Distribution system. Also edited and put together three handbooks for the BMJ PaLM charity, for medical workers to use in Tanzania, and edited and laid out 22 PowerPoint presentations for the charity. 
Freelance editor 2005–present  Worked for several publishers, including Dorling Kindersley (DK), Duncan Baird, and Brown Reference. Major projects included a book on birds for National Geographic and a science encyclopedia for DK.  Also wrote three children's books on birds for Brown Reference. 
Project editor,
Dorling Kindersley 1997–2005 

Reporting to the Managing Editor, edited and wrote for a range of medical, first aid, and healthcare books. These complex projects required high standards and an ability to handle information ranging from anatomy and medical procedures to genetics and aviation medicine.  
•        Presented text from medical experts in an authoritative yet accessible form for general readers
•        Worked with authors and other experts to research and write material; also commissioned text
•        Collaborated with designers to define book contents, choose images, and plan photo shoots
•          Worked independently on some projects; on others, took responsibility for certain areas within a larger team.
•        Produced ideas and presentation material for new books 

Projects included: 
•          Complete Family Health Guide (British Medical Association)
•          Human (editorial consultants: Robert Winston, Smithsonian Institution) – A comprehensive view of human existence, including anatomy, psychology, peoples of the world, culture, evolution, and the future.
•          British Airways Manual of In-flight Medical Care – supplied to all aircraft in BA’s fleet.
•          Family Doctor Home Adviser: 4th edition (British Medical Association) 
Editor,
Dorling Kindersley 1991–1997 		 Edited and wrote text on a variety of subjects including gardening, horses, dogs, motorbikes, yoga, guitars, and mathematics (for children). Received a pay award for merit. 
Production editor, Newpoint Publishing 1991  Collected and edited copy on a job directory for graduates. Liaised with organisations such as ICI and the Royal College of Nursing.  
   
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 
  •          Extensive experience of editing in InDesign, Quark XPress, and Word on Apple Mac.
•          I have Quark 6 and Adobe Creative Suite 3 and 4 set up at home.
•          I can work remotely and have both Mac OS and WIndows XP at home.
•          Training in HTML and Dreamweaver, and ability to use WordPress. I have built my own website (http://concorde-gallery.co.uk).
•          BA (Hons) in English Language and Medieval Literature, Durham University (1990); 4 A-levels (1984); 9 O-levels (1981–2). 
   

EXTRA-MURAL ACTIVITIES
 

Founding member of Save Concorde Group

2004–present

 

The Save Concorde Group is campaigning to return a Concorde to flight. My tasks include helping to put out media releases, and liaising with MPs and other prominent supporters. I have also participated in a work group with former Concorde personnel to carry out repairs of Concorde airframes.

 

Board member and volunteer for national charity

2002–2010

 

Spent 2 years as a trustee for the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. Took minutes for trustees’ meetings. Redesigned the NAPAC newsletter and helped with fund-raising. Spent 3 years working as a volunteer on the charity’s helpline. Am currently updating their database of support organisations.

 

DK/Penguin/Pearson staff art exhibitions 1995–2005

 

Created and organised an annual art exhibition of company members’ work, first at DK and then including Penguin and Pearson staff. The exhibition provided a showcase of artistic talent for staff from across the world and a source of new ideas for the company. Several exhibitors sold work or had commissions as a result of the exhibition.

 

General interests

Painting and drawing (including commissions), horse-riding, reading, current affairs.