Emma F
Frederiksberg, Denmark
“Short is always good (except in basketball).”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
PhD in Medieval/Renaissance Literature
University of Cambridge
2009–2013
M.Phil in Medieval/Renaissance Literature
University of Cambridge
2008–2009
BA in English Literature
University of Cambridge
2005–2007
Favorite referencing style
Wherefore the love for MHRA? Oh, I don't know. It's the one I used for my Cambridge career, but I can't recall why I preferred it to MLA or Chicago (we had a choice of referencing styles). I suppose it just seemed pleasantly stuffy and grumpy somehow. And I've always been fond of footnote citations.
Why I became an editor
I am a committed generalist and amateur. I love learning new things, I really love sharing in the passion that students and scholars bring to their studies, and I really, REALLY love hewing and refining academic prose until it gleams. Is there a better job for me out there than a proofreader/editor? Not that I know of!
Background and experience
I’ve proofread and edited since 2006 to support myself during my graduate studies and help out friends and academic colleagues. I've only recently made the decision to focus on editing full-time. Since receiving my doctorate in 2014, I've held various jobs: some within or adjacent to academia and others completely outside of it. Most recently, I was a senior associate at an executive search business focused on technology leadership.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I love the positive contribution that proofreading makes to writing: the meaning and inherent power of the text emerges in real time as one works. It's just thrilling. I will also admit to loving style guides for their own sake. Wonderful to have some clarity and precise rules to seek out in this otherwise chaotic and senseless world. My favorite style guide is MHRA, followed by Chicago. All the others are fine too.
Favorite book:
My favorite books are The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia by Samuel Johnson and Go Dog Go by P. D. Eastman.
Hobbies:
I like to build LEGO sets, but what I’m usually doing is sorting LEGO bricks into plastic storage boxes marketed to crafting and sewing communities. I also like to watch stand-up comedy specials.
Editing tips:
One tip is to check every in-text citation immediately against the reference list and note any missing references or information.
