Saffron M
Melbourne, Australia
“Effective writing is concise writing!”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
PhD Archaeology
The University of Melbourne
1999–2002
BA (Hons) Classics and Archaeology
The University of Melbourne
1994–1998
Favorite referencing style
I am most used to Harvard referencing from my own academic work.
Why I became an editor
As an undergraduate, I chose subjects in the areas of archaeology, history, anthropology, and classical studies. I enjoyed research and essay writing so much that I decided to continue on to postgraduate study, and I loved the experience of completing a PhD by major thesis.
I have extensive experience working in the field of arts administration and I found that the most rewarding aspects of this work were writing and proofreading a wide variety of documents. It just made sense to undertake formal training so I could pursue proofreading as a career!
Background and experience
In addition to my degrees in the fields of archaeology and classics, I have a strong background in music and currently work as music administrator at a private girls' school. In this role, I am responsible for drafting and proofreading a variety of documents, from permission letters to newsletter notices and concert programs. As this is an elite school, it is vital that all documents are accurate, concise, and well-written, so proofreading and editing are crucial to the role.
My previous position was also in arts administration, for a well-known Australia-wide chamber music presenting company. This role involved proofreading musical annotations for concert guides, assisting in the production of sponsorship proposals, and servicing sponsor logo requirements in published materials.
My earlier work experience includes museum guide, eligibility determination officer for an insurance claims support scheme set up by the Australian Government, piano tutor, academic tutor, sales assistant, and clerical assistant. I have also volunteered at museums and a modern art gallery, worked on archaeological digs, and have played viola with a community symphony orchestra.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I find a great deal of satisfaction in the challenge of identifying anomalies and helping to polish a piece of writing. As I love reading and research, I am fascinated by the variety of subjects in the documents I proofread. Learning new things is a definite bonus.
Favorite book:
The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Hobbies:
When not proofreading, I am usually scouring the available e-books from my local library for new things to read, playing board games with my husband and kids, or relaxing on the couch with Netflix and my three cats!
Editing tips:
One of the most useful tips I have received is to create a checklist when proofreading. I find this is a very helpful way to stay on track and to be sure I haven't missed anything.
