A specialist proofreader, I use my highly trained editorial eye and obsessive attention to detail to ensure your work is as close to perfect as possible. Ideally, I parachute in after editing and typesetting/layout to act as a fresh set of eyes – I put myself in the shoes of your readers.
A regular client describes my work as ‘a sublime example of the proofreader’s art’. I prefer to work on fiction – all genres and audiences – but I can turn my hand to any type of text in any format.
I do occasional structural edits and copyedits with existing clients to keep my full range of skills sharp.
I also run industry-leading training on digital publishing and editing topics.
I’m a freelance editorial consultant with a life-long passion for words and over a decade of experience with trade publishing houses. I’m a member of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), the Freelance Editors Network (FEN) and the Media, Arts & Entertainment Alliance (MEAA). I’m an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).
Allen & Unwin; Hachette Australia; HarperCollinsPublishers Australia; Pan Macmillan Australia; Penguin Random House Australia; Text Publishing.
I’ve presented for most of the Australian societies of editors and at IPEd conferences, as well as for the University of Technology, Sydney; the University of Sydney; the Publishers Associations of Australia and New Zealand; and the NSW Writers’ Centre.
If you’re a trade publisher with a freelance project in mind, or if you’re an organisation looking for a consultant or presenter, please email me: sjhfletcher [at] gmail.com.
I typically only take on independently published authors via referral from colleagues. Please see the Freelance Editors Network for details of other editorial professionals who may be able to assist.
In August 2023, I’m presenting An Introduction to Ebook Editing for Editors Victoria, via Zoom.