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Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing AUTHORS and self publishers Authors have a tough time. It can be a lonely business. It's so easy to become too close to your own writing. Things can be even tougher for you if you're going it alone as an independent, with no one to act as a second pair of eyes. Wouldn't it be good to know that when you've finished that first draft, you have someone in place with fresh eyes, and the training and experience to pick up not just the typos, punctuation, and grammar, but also to highlight those things that, over time, and many rereads, you have missed because you have read not what you have written but what your overworked brain thinks that you have written? Proofreaders and editors are specifically trained to read in quite a different way so that these errors can be quickly flagged and corrected. What we can do for you proofread/copy-edit your novel, novella, or poetry substantive editing of your work, see the mini glossary of these terms on the information page format your final draft so that it is ready for the oh-so-particular way that publishers like to receive your manuscript. Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience We are members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading . We have worked closely with independent authors and have proofread, copy-edited, and substantively edited a number of novels. We write too, therefore we share your pain, and are aware of the pitfalls of going it alone. Benefits we can provide We offer friendly and constructive advice. You will find us easy to get along with and always enthusiastic about your project; we share a fascination of what makes authors' tick! We will always ensure that your words are clearly written and easily understood, and most importantly, that they convey the sense that you intended. An accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with friendly and dedicated editors who understand that sweat and tears have gone into your opus, then please do get in touch . Remember: a professional edit will show your work at its very best for your readers.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing BUSINESS working with corporates You are a busy person, after all you've a business to run. Your time is precious, as is your reputation with your customers and suppliers. You might require in-house documentation for your staff, advertising flyers, a website, a detailed report or proposal, or some other pressing and important documentation. Easy enough to knock out some words perhaps, but what about the final product, the impression you want to give? Of course, you could do it yourself, after all, you know your business better than anyone. But do you have the time, not just to get the words down, but to produce a well-written, grammatically correct piece that presents your message clearly and concisely with everything checked down to the very last punctuation detail? What we can do for you proofreading and/or copy-editing of your advertisements, flyers, website, or any written message that helps your business; don't forget, there's a mini glossary of edit types on the information page help with written content e.g., internal communications, advertising material, letters to clients and suppliers help with website creation and maintenance. Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience We are members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. We have a combined experience of over 40 years' experience working in motorsport, defence, academia, aviation, law, schools, and television; all sectors in which written communication is a key factor to success. We have constructed, edited, and maintained several small-business websites. Benefits we offer We can offer the fine-detail of proofreading, the close scrutiny that uncovers those gremlins of grammar and punctuation, spelling and spacing, indeed a check of every single character. We will check for consistency, that names and dates are correct, that headings, style, font sizes are as you want them throughout the entire document. We also offer a more in-depth edit that covers the bigger picture. We will make sure that your message is clearly written and easily understood and that the construction and wording suits your particular audience. First impressions make a difference, we all know that. The reputation of you and your business can hang on the words you use to communicate your ideas. You want customers, new and old, to think only the best of your endeavours. We can help you clean away all of those irksome mistakes that can so often give the wrong first impression. We promise an accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with dedicated freelance editors who will take the time to understand your requirements, be sympathetic to the constraints of your busy work life, and offer you a comprehensive, reliable, and cost effective service, then please contact us today.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing ACADEMICS journal submissions and proposals Contributing to academic journals and writing proposals have become as much a part of an academic's life as the actual research and teaching. Moreover, these activities have become one of the yardsticks by which you and your institution are measured. Life tenures are a thing of the past, and as a consequence life in academia is ever more competitive. Your time is precious, as is your reputation amongst your peers. We welcome working with academics for whom English is not a first language (see our ESL page). What we can do for you proofreading and editing of papers, scientific or otherwise, books, articles etc. proofreading and editing of funding proposals proofreading and editing of job applications. Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience We have studied in and worked closely with researchers and academics in Engineering and Science departments in many UK and European universities. We have edited PhD theses and scientific papers in a variety of scientific fields. Matthew has over 25 years' experience as a fully-qualified professional engineer, during which time he has held senior positions in Formula 1 racing, and the aviation sector. He has an extremely strong (and up-to-date) understanding of mathematics, physics, engineering (all major disciplines), sciences, computing etc., and has a strong academic background in aeronautics and fluid mechanics. Matthew has a PhD in aeronautical engineering, and has written and co-written papers, and presented at conference. We are experienced users of LaTeX and Tex typesetting programs. Benefits we provide Matthew has a dual academic–industrial background which gives him a better appreciation of the constraints at play in your world; we understand how important publications are to a busy academic. We understand too, the need for clarity and preciseness in your publications, as well as the overarching requirement to be consistent in your message. You will find us to be trusted editors, conversant with your world, who can shoulder some of your load, providing you more time for the other aspects of your busy work life. You will always get an accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with dedicated professional editors who understand the nature and importance of an academic's work, especially the constraints upon your time, then please contact us today.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing PRIVACY POLICY GDPR Part of our contract with you is that we be a responsible business owner and comply with 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) in order to fully protect your information. The following is a list of what we do in respect of this. Your personal data In order to communicate with you efficiently and professionally it will be necessary for us to collect and store at least a modicum of your basic personal information, such as: name email address contact postal address details specific to your enquiry, e.g., the nature of your enquiry, whether you are an independent author or editor etc. Why do we collect data from you? We need the following, minimal information, such that we can: respond to your initial contact message via this website contact you prior, during, and after any work that we agree to do for you How do we use this data? We use the data we collect from you as follows: to contact you regarding your enquiry, for contract purposes, or in order to give an initial or updated quotation for our services to invoice you and to provide proof of our compliance with HMRC regulations to record your agreeing to the terms and conditions of the services we provide Our promise to you We will never distribute, lease, or sell your information to any third party unless you give us express written permission to do so. How does data transfer take place? We use Gmail ,and Dropbox for all data transfer. Details of their respective privacy policies can be found via the clickable links provided. How do we store your information? We use a password-protected computer to store your files, and to enable being mobile when we work; we also use Microsoft OneDrive. This gives us secure (password protected) access – from say a laptop – to data that are stored on our main computer. We do not keep copies of your work on any device save for our main computer. How will we deal with your files? All original files that you pass to us remain your property. Versions of these files that you have commissioned us to work on (i.e., to change format, edit, or to add content etc.) are our property until you have paid for the work we have agreed upon. Once you have paid, these files become your property. We keep all files and emails relating to completed work on our secure computer. This is useful to us in keeping a record of past work in the event that we work together again. However, if you have strong opinions on our keeping these records and would like us to delete this information on completion of our collaboration please just let us know. If you have contacted us and for whatever reason decide not to pursue a project with us we may keep your contact information for business analysis purposes. This would remain private to us, but again, if you have strong objections to our keeping this information just let us know. Our marketing strategy: how does it affect you? It is possible that we may contact you again about obtaining further work. To do this we would need to keep your contact details, and work-related information you might previously have disclosed, on file. This information is for our own marketing and we will never share it with anyone else. Please let us know if you do not want us to do this. We check and update this policy regularly. March 2024

Bedford & Grove. Proofreading and editing services Freelance editing and proofreading Members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading BEDFORD & GROVE Partnership © 2020, all rights reserved. SERVICES We offer proofreading and copy-editing services including: novels, dissertations (PhD and Master's thesis, final-draft proofreading only), journal articles, website content, business literature, CVs, maths and science examination/tutor booklets, brochures etc. We also offer a bespoke English as second language ( ESL ) service. More Info WHAT WE DO Bedford & Grove provide professional editing, proofreading, and writing services. We know our success depends upon your satisfaction; to that end we guarantee never to miss an agreed deadline and never to outsource your work. We hope our work speaks for itself. More Info CLIENTS Our list of current and recent clients includes academics, publishers, artists, authors, and corporates including The Royal Society , Charlesworth Author Services, Elizabeth Delo, and Cambridge University Press . More Info ABOUT US We are an army of two freelance editors , working hard to build a well recognised, friendly, and reliable service. We edit, proofread, and even write your content. Our goal is to ensure your message and vision are preserved through the application of diligent and careful attention to detail. We help authors and business professionals of all stripes to polish and present their written message (see our page of clients and publications ). We will never offload your work to a third party and will always meet your deadline. Please browse our website, look at our services , and contact us to discuss how we can help you. While you are here, please take a moment to read some nice things that some of our clients have written about our work. Learn more Clients CLIENTS & PUBLICATIONS See the full list

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing ABOUT We are a husband and wife team who, some years ago, decided to work together on a project that not only made more efficient use of our time and resources, but also pooled our life experiences – the results were good and Bedford & Grove was born in 2019. With our combined experience of editing corporate, fiction and non-fiction, academic, science and engineering, and all manner of independent works, we offer a broad range of editing and writing services together with a friendly and open approach toward our clients. We live and work in a quiet village on the edge of Bodmin moor in Cornwall, but communicate and work with clients all over the world. THE TEAM a little about us MATTHEW LAIGHT Founder and Partner Matthew is founder and partner at Bedford & Grove and specialises in STEM journal editing, most notably for The Royal Society and other leading scientific and engineering journals. He spends much of his time (work and leisure) working with some form of the English language. He reads and writes for pleasure, and works closely with publishers, writers, artists, and academics in the pursuit of clearly expressed words. He holds a first-class degree in engineering and a PhD in fluid dynamics from the University of Cambridge; he is a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) – you can find Matthew's CIEP directory listing here . CLARE LAIGHT Partner Clare is partner at Bedford & Grove and specialises in legal, medical, and business editing. She has over 30 years' experience working in aviation (she has a private pilot licence), television, managing a busy law practice, and working in a large secondary school as Head's PA. Her interests away from her busy office include horse riding, gardening, and walking. Clare is an Intermediate Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP). Here are some kindly forwarded testimonials .

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing Ts AND Cs small print These terms and conditions apply to any work done for the Client by the Freelancer. The Client is under no obligation to offer the Freelancer work; neither is the Freelancer under any obligation to accept work offered by the Client. The Freelancer will provide service(s) as mutually agreed, confirmed in writing by the Client. The work will be carried out unsupervised at such times and places as determined by the Freelancer, using his own equipment. The Freelancer confirms that she/he is self-employed, is responsible for her/his own income tax and National Insurance contributions, and for paying VAT (where applicable) and will not claim benefits granted to the Client's employees. The Freelancer agrees to attend the Client's or other premises for necessary meetings, the time spent and agreed reasonable expenses incurred to be reimbursed by the Client. The Client will reimburse the Freelancer for agreed reasonable expenses over and above usual expenses incurred in the process of editorial work. The Client will pay the Freelancer a fee per hour OR per printed page OR an agreed flat fee for the job, plus VAT where applicable. The completed work will be delivered on or before the date agreed, for the agreed fee, which will be based on the description of the work required and the brief, both supplied by the Client. If, however, on receipt of the item to be worked on or at an early stage, it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion/brief, the Freelancer may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline. Similarly, if, during the term of the Freelancer's work, additional tasks are requested by the Client, the Freelancer may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline. If the project is lengthy, the Freelancer may invoice periodically for completed stages. Any content created by the Freelancer as part of the copy-editing/proofreading/project management process will become the copyright of the Client, unless otherwise agreed. The nature and content of the work will be kept confidential and not made known to anyone other than the Client and its contractors without prior written permission. The Freelancer guarantees that any work that she/he subcontracts on behalf of the Client will be completed to the same standard, schedule and budget and with the same conditions of confidentiality. If the Freelancer's work is unsatisfactory, the Freelancer will rectify it in her/his own time and at her/his own expense. Unless agreed otherwise at the outset, payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of the Freelancer's invoice, according to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (amended 2002 and 2013). The information that the Client and the Freelancer may keep on record is covered by the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation. No more such information will be held than is necessary, at any time, to comply with those terms and with any compliance statement or privacy policy published by the Client and/or the Freelancer. Both the Client and the Freelancer agree that, where consent is required to hold or process such data, such consent has been requested and obtained and both facts can be demonstrated. Either may view the other’s records to ensure that they are relevant, correct and up to date. Either the Client or the Freelancer has the right to terminate a contract for services if there is a serious breach of its terms. If the Freelancer has made a substantial contribution to the copy-editing/proofreading/project management of the work, she/he will be entitled to receive one free copy of the work. The Freelancer may use the Client's name in her/his promotional material. This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales [or Scots or Northern Ireland law, as appropriate], and both Freelancer and Client agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh [or Scots or Northern Ireland] courts.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing HOW MUCH? not as much as you might think Our rates are based on the minimum rates published by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP). However, no two jobs are ever the same and the services we provide will inevitably be tailored to your requirements. We usually like to provide quotations based on our assessment of a representative sample of your work, and after a discussion of what service is best for you. We prefer to work at an hourly rate, but sometimes it's just easier to agree on a fixed fee. We have a minimum fee for small jobs (less than an hour's work). We also offer a discounted rate for final-draft editing of theses and dissertations (ask us about this ). There is no charge for an initial enquiry. There is no charge for the preparation of quotations. We do not charge VAT. For short projects, taking less than an hour, we have a minimum fee of £30. Once engaged for the job, time taken on emails and telephone calls are included as part of the standard hourly rate. We accept payment by bank transfer. Post-graduate discount We offer a permanent 10% discount for all final-draft proofreading of Master's and PhD dissertations (see the postgraduate page) We will endeavour to start work on your project as soon as possible, but please bear in mind that we will almost inevitably be 'mid-project' when you get in touch. So please think ahead if you are working to a tight deadline. Proofreading is generally a little faster than copy-editing and we usually budget around 2,000 to 2,500 words per hour (on average and depending on the original format) for the former, and 1,500 to 2,000 for the latter. It always helps if you can provide us with a total word count, it makes quotations much easier. We are happy to work with Word or PDF, though it's always faster with Word.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing POSTGRADUATES papers and dissertations You have worked your socks off in order to get your Master's or PhD dissertation into shape. Nowadays, studying does not come without a heavy financial burden, and the long months – sometimes years – of working the clock round in order to produce a body of work by which all your hard efforts will be judged should be worthy of your investments in time and money. In order to give yourself the best chance of success you need to be certain that, aside from the academic nature of your thesis, your work is free from grammatical error, and is clearly understood. We welcome working with postgraduate students for whom English is not a first language (see our ESL page). What we can do for you final-draft editing of Master's/PhD thesis proofreading and editing of papers, conference submissions, and job applications use Word tracked changes in order that you see each and every one of the modifications we make use LaTeX or Tex typesetting if required Offer reduced-rate editing for postgraduate students ... we've been there! Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience Matthew has studied and worked closely with researchers and academics in Engineering and Science departments in many UK and European universities. We have edited PhD theses and scientific papers in a variety scientific fields. Matthew has over 25 years' experience as a fully-qualified professional engineer, during which time he has held senior positions in Formula 1 racing, and the aviation sector. He has an extremely strong (and up-to-date) understanding of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering (all major disciplines), Sciences, Computing etc., and has a strong academic background in Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics. Matthew has a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering, and has written and co-written papers, and presented at conference. We are experienced users of LaTeX and Tex typesetting programs as well as the usual mainstream software. Benefits we can provide Matthew has a dual academic-industrial background which gives him a precise understanding of the importance of your situation; the step you are about to make, and of the make-or-break consequences of producing a document that will determine the next step in your career. A final-draft edit will give you the confidence that your work will be grammatically correct and consistent, that the arguments that you present are clear and well presented, and that your hard work will be showcased to the greatest effect. The more professional your thesis or dissertation, the easier your examiner(s) will be convinced of your aptitude and potential, leaving you free to confidently defend the academic arguments and claims you have worked so hard to assemble. You will always get an accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with dedicated editors who understand the nature and importance of your dissertation and its effect upon your future career, then please contact us today.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing TESTIMONIALS client feedback Clare did an outstanding job overhauling our website content and advertising literature. She is diligent and deliberate in explaining her work. I would highly recommend her." J Adams Business Manager Liskeard, Cornwall I worked with Matt on an essay, and it was a true joy. Matt took me through his interventions, and made sure I understood every change. He is a thorough and patient editor. I recommend him wholeheartedly." Dr Elad Uzad EU Philosopher University of Oxford Matt transformed my texts with his careful and considered prose. His masterful manipulation of my words, whilst maintaining the meaning of the various and unusual scientific terms, was nothing short of impressive. He has worked on many documents for me. I am grateful and happy to have found Matt in the jungle of proofreaders and editors." Dr Sabine Jordan Agronomist and Peatland Scientist Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU) Matthew Laight is a detailed, meticulous and highly adaptable proofreader. Drawing not only on his other career in high-performance computing and aeronautics, but also his wide-ranging literary appetite, Matt applies his skills of detailed analysis conscientiously to any genre of the written word, be that fiction; children's literature; education or technical journals. He is also a really nice bloke! I am happy to recommend him without hesitation." Sara Butler Executive Assistant to the Provost The Queen's College, Oxford I would recommend Matt in a heartbeat for all editorial needs, and for providing support along the entire process; his patience and knowledge are second to none. Not only is he a first-class editor, his skills go beyond that, including taking pride in making sure his clients' work is the best it can be." Glyn Morris Author Dear Matthew, you have done an excellent job of editing this technically demanding text. It was a matter of correctly translating both the technical terms of Palaeolithic archeology and that of Paleoanthropology into English, and to translate the peculiarities of sentence structure in the German language into scientific English. The deadline was very tight, and yet you managed everything to my satisfaction, even under time pressure. Thank you again for this help." Dr Lutz Fiedler Former State Archeologist of Hesse Germany I have worked with Matthew on Maths A book and know that when I place work with him, it will be delivered back to me on time, to exacting standards, and following the brief. Matthew is flexible, patient and a pleasure to work with. He can be relied on at short notice, and I have no hesitation in recommending his proofreading services." Bhavna Saxena Content Producer Pearson Education Matt did such a great job of editing my novel. His work is thorough and precise, and his observations, notes and suggestions are spot on. He has a sharp eye and doesn't miss a thing. He identified inaccuracies of grammar, spelling and syntax, and ensured a uniformity of style and formatting. As a result, my manuscript looks far more polished and professional. Matt's story editing is incredibly astute. He highlighted issues of clarity and continuity, asking questions of my story, prompting me to do the same. Because of Matt's brilliant work, I have begun to see my own work through an editor's eye, which ultimately is helping me to become a better writer." Elizabeth Delo Author Matt edited and proofread the bio' for my latest exhibition. He checked all the artwork and installation descriptions, of which there were many. He picked up on many points that I had missed and suggested much in the way of extra content – all perfectly pitched – he's a very knowledgeable chap you know! His help was invaluable as I just didn't have enough time to devote to these important jobs, and I contacted him terrifyingly close to the print deadline. I will certainly retain his services (and spread the word), but I promise to give more notice next time. Thank you, Matt." Sophie Alexandra Ryder Artist St Ives, Cornwall I have benefited immensely from creative technical discussions with Dr. Matthew Laight, who proofread this document, made many good suggestions and turned the last leg of the project into an enjoyable experience." Dr RB PhD thesis University of Cambridge Matthew transformed the content and look of my website. I lost count of the number of times I had repeated myself! Thoroughly recommended." Nicola Hardy Website owner Essex Your feedback is always welcome