Academic writing, like many of life's activities, is difficult. It would be difficult even if writers were at liberty to adopt as casual a style as they found comfortable, and to not worry about whether it should be '£1m' or 'one million pounds', 'socio-political' or 'sociopolitical', or 'raise the question' or 'beg the question'. But the academic writing style is a long way from casual, and such things do need to be considered, alongside many other things, from capitalisation and hyphenation to broad qualities such as logic and readability.

This is where an editor can help. As a copy-editor and proofreader, I can ensure clarity and consistency, put right spelling and grammar mistakes, and make sure your prose doesn't run away with itself (or end up tired and stiff). These are changes that can make a big difference to the value of your document in the eyes of your readers, whether they are examiners, peer-reviewers, journal editors, publishers, grant-application reviewers, colleagues or members of the general public.

If you have written a document and are interested in getting it edited, please do take a look around the site or contact me for further information or a quote. I have worked with a range of authors, some inexperienced, some experienced, and some writing in English as a second language. All academics have my respect, and I know from my own time as a taught and research student what it is like to work to a deadline, to labour to revise one's writing to meet different sets of criteria, to face the thorough criticism of a peer review, and to constantly question one's own work. I wish those who have to do these and similar things all the very best.