About workwisewords

Principal Editor: Matthew Sidebotham AE, ELS

About

I have over thirty-five years experience in professional writing and editing as an academic and in the private and public sectors. Over this period I have authored and/or edited published and self-published monographs and anthologies, dissertations and theses, scholarly journal articles, academic book reviews, annual reports, white papers, reports to parliamentary committees, policy papers and project bids and tenders, as well as designing and delivering training on effective writing and contributing to development of corporate writing style guides. Within the public sector I have both scribed for and chaired selection panels and worked on grant and tender assessment committees. 

I am an Accredited Editor under the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) accreditation framework, a Certified Life Science Editors under the Board of Editing in the Life Sciences (BELS) framework and a professional member of IPEd, the Canberra Society of Editors and the Society of Editors NSW.

Qualifications: BA Hon, MA, Accredited Editor (Institute of Professional Editors), Life Science Editor (Board of Editing in the Life Sciences) 

What Is An Accredited Editor?

The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) – the peak body for the Australian editing industry ­– administers a national accreditation scheme for Australian editors. The scheme comprises a national accreditation exam – which tests competence against the requirements of the Australian Standards for Editing Practice – and accreditation renewal, which requires evidence of ongoing editorial practice and professional development.

In choosing an accredited editor, clients can be confident that their editor has a proven record in professional editing practice and has formal recognition of their competence in applying the professional standards established in the Australian Standards for Editing Practice.

What Is A Life Sciences Editor?

The Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS), founded in 1991, is a US-based international industry body for professional editing in the life sciences.  To meet employers’ and clients’ need for an objective test of editorial skill in this specialised area, BELS developed a process for testing and evaluating proficiency in editing in the life sciences.

The certification examination is a 3-hour test of scientific editing in English. It resembles the standard tests used in many professions to certify practitioners. The program is designed to assure employers or clients of editors that a Board-certified editor has established a high level of credibility. Editors who successfully complete the certification examination may use the designation ELS (Editor in the Life Sciences) after their names.

Why Use Workwisewords?

workwisewords offers quality editing and writing grounded in extensive experience in the academic, commercial and public sectors. Unlike other editing services workwisewords does not subcontract or farm out commissions to under- or unqualified editors, so you can be sure your needs are being met by the right person:

  • Theses and essays reviewed by an editor with postgraduate qualifications and experience as academic staff — not by undergraduate freelancers.
  • Grant applications and tenders by a writer with private and public sector experience in project and contract management and grant assessment.
    Resumés and selection criteria written by a professional with training and experience in selection process

Standards + Styles

workwisewords is affiliated with the Canberra Society of Editors and the Institute of Professional Editors and adheres to their standards for editing practice.

My default guide for usage and layout is the Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edition, the guide for Commonwealth publications. However, I will write or edit according to university or house style guides or other conventions according to your needs.

My default guides for spelling and lexicon are the Macquarie Dictionary and the Macquarie Thesaurus, but I can write or edit according to your nominated dictionary or guide on usage.

If you require editing or drafting for publication in American English our default style guide is the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, and our default dictionary is the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition. Once again, I am happy to edit or write according to other style guides or standards according to your needs.