An image of pages of books, made by P.F.White. Its title 'The Pleasured Text?' references R. Barthes' 1973 book 'Le Plaisir du Texte'

KIM CROWDER Ph.D, MRes., MA, PGCE, BA Hons.

COPY EDITING AND PROOF READING

I specialise in editing and proof reading for clients working in the fields of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and Visual Arts who are producing documents intended for academic examination or publication: theses, postgraduate dissertations, essays, research papers and journal articles. I provide a prompt, efficient and confidential service to finalise texts for presentation. I offer a focused, one to one service.

Many institutions regard editing as both ethical and permissible, especially when English is not the client's first language. It is, however, the client’s responsibility to ensure that the use of a proof reading or copy editing service does not contravene the rules of their institution.

Clients for whom English is a non-native language may find it especially worthwhile to invest in copy editing services since the editor's input can assist in expanding knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and style and so promote the self-confident production of written English.

A carefully edited and well presented text will stand a better chance of attracting positive attention when submitted to a book publisher or journal editor.

Every author’s work combines a unique range of writing habits, stylistic traits – and problem areas. Therefore my editing fees are calculated on an individual basis according to client needs. Service levels can be adjusted according to clients’ requirements and budget by prior negotiation. Two levels of service are offered.

Basic Proofreading includes the following:

Copy Editing covers the above and, as appropriate, the following:

I will maintain contact throughout the commission and provide regular updates on the progress of the work.

Neither of the service levels offer:

Pricing and Turnaround Times:

Estimates are priced per 1000 words irrespective of the number of changes or corrections ultimately made. A minimum order charge of £50 normally applies. The fee is agreed prior to commencement of work and is based on the standard of writing shown in a 500 – 800 word sample selected from the work to be edited. If the level of editing required proves to be substantially different from that indicated by the sample I will require a revised fee. Basic Proofreading fees start at £18.00 per 1000 words and Copy Editing fees start at £25.00 per 1000 words.

Turnaround times are variable depending on the length of the document. A projected completion date will be agreed in advance. As a guide, approximately four to six weeks should be allowed for editing a 100,000 word thesis, and a 10,000 word article may be completed in five to seven working days (excluding of weekends and UK public holidays).

To check availability and submit a sample of the work to be edited: Contact Kim Crowder

Kim Crowder was formerly known as Kim Baker.

Ph.D, Visual Anthropology: Goldsmiths, University of London, 2012. Funded by the AHRC, supervised by Professor Rebecca Cassidy and Professor Emma Tarlo; examined by Professor Sarah Franklin and Professor Garry Marvin. The thesis was written under my previous name, Kim Baker: title, Making Meat: People, Property and Pigs in East Anglia.
See http://research.gold.ac.uk/7197/ for the thesis Abstract.
MRes, Visual Anthropology (Distinction): Goldsmiths, University of London.
MA, Textile Culture (Distinction): Norwich University of the Arts.
PGCE, English and Art: Avery Hill, University of Greenwich.
BA (Hons), Three Dimensional Design: Bath Spa University.

I have over ten years' experience in proof reading and copy editing and my service is informed by expertise and knowledge acquired during long term experience of teaching and assessing at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the following areas: Critical Studies in Art and Design, Art and Design History, practice-led Art courses, Visual Anthropology and Social Anthropology. From 2001 – 2012 I led the Art Department at an international college whose English language courses attracted students from Europe, Russia and Asia.

I have a successful track record of presenting my research at academic conferences and have published my own writing in the fields of Anthropology and non-fiction. My research interests focus on human-animal relations, the body, embodied knowledge, food, textiles, craftsmanship, production, consumption, global markets and rural economies.

Publications include:

Crowder, K., 2023. Missives, Missiles and Moves. In: Pushing the Boat Out. Issue 17.

Crowder, K., 2022. Candles, Camping Stoves and Climate Grief: reflections on storm survival. In: Lannon, A. (ed.) Heather: An anthology of Scottish writing and art. Glasgow.

Crowder, K., 2022. Talking Through Autism: auto-ethnographic reflections on participating in UK autism support groups. In: Aldred, L.A., Hendren, T. and Albanna, T. (eds.) Rainbow Goddess - Celebrating Neurodiversity.

Crowder, K., 2016. Producing Punches: Craftsmanship with Sentient Media. In: Marchand, T. (ed.) 2015. Craftwork as Problem Solving: Ethnographic Studies of Design and Making. Farnham: Ashgate.

Crowder, K., 2015. Artisanal Affection: Detachment in Human-Animal Relations within Intensive Pig Production in Britain. In: Yarrow, T., Candea, M., Trundle, C., Cook, J. (eds.) 2015. Detachment: Essays on the limits of relational thinking. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Baker, K., 2013. Home and Heart, Hand and Eye: Unseen Encounters Between Pigmen and Pigs in Industrial Farming. In: Abbotts, E-J. and Lavis, A. (eds.) 2013. Why We Eat, How We Eat: Contemporary Encounters between Foods and Bodies. Farnham: Ashgate.

Baker, K., 2010. Species of Time: Stockmen, Sows and Labour. Goldsmiths Anthropological Research Paper. [Download PDF]

Baker, K., 1990. The Bawdsey Stud: Sir Cuthbert Quilter’s Suffolk Punches. Heavy Horse World, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 24-26.

Short stories and poetry published in journals and literary magazines including Encounter, Rialto, Argo, Envoi, Delta.

Website: Lives in Nature (www.livesinnature.co.uk)

The client will be responsible for:

Before commencing an editing contract I may request a deposit payment. The outstanding balance is payable on completion of the work, or within seven days of the date of the final invoice.

When work is published, I would appreciate acknowledgement of my service by name: Dr. Kim Crowder: www.crowdercopy.co.uk/ .

'Kim Crowder is the most supportive copyeditor I've met. As a design researcher trying to draw on anthropological methods and theories, I'm less sensitive to the wording, phrase, and grammar of ethnographic writing. Kim always helped me to identify weaknesses in my writing and found situated ways to revise them carefully. I often found some clues in the returned documents that she had a deeper understanding of some theories cited in my writing.
Of course, she always reads texts thoroughly, proofreads them carefully, and returns them on time. Her work conveys not only professionalism, but also a sense of craftsmanship.'   Design researcher, The Oslo School of Architecture and Design, 2023.

'Kim is a very reliable person and her work is brilliant, she is very competent and always has great suggestions on how to improve the language.'   Postdoctoral researcher, Social and Cultural Anthropology, LMU Munich, 2022.

'Kim has copy-edited a few articles for me, successfully published in peer-reviewed journals. Thanks to her meticulous and thoughtful work, my manuscripts’ quality has significantly improved before submission in terms of style, language, and structure. I also learned to write better along the way due to her advice and corrections. Working with her has helped me greatly in my career, and I would always highly recommend her!'   Social & Cultural Anthropology Researcher, University of Cologne, 2022.

'Kim Crowder has been my editor for the past year, working with me on my local history book. Each chapter has been carefully read and marked with meticulous detail and returned on time. Textual changes, either to omit or to rewrite have vastly improved the content.
Above all, Kim is able to understand exactly the whole approach and purpose of a manuscript. She gets under the skin of the text and sees the direction that I was aiming for. I could not have had a better editor and consider myself very fortunate.'   Published Historian, Suffolk, 2022.

'I'm thrilled to have gained a distinction for my thesis; the feedback said it was well written and confident in tone. As an international student with English as my second language, I wanted to make sure the text was clear and clean – and Kim made me feel confident about this when handing in the dissertation. In addition, she is trustworthy, supportive and warm, which is what you need when you're under the pressure of a deadline.'   Sociology MA, University of London, international student, 2019.

'I can unequivocally recommend Kim Crowder's services as a copy editor and proof reader. Working with her was easy, all communications were clear, and her returns incredibly timely. Her feedback and edits were superb, and her assistance made all the difference in my submission. I can add she is clear and fair in what she charges, and considering what a nerve wracking undertaking we were involved in, she was a steady presence through that work.'   Visual Anthropology Ph.D, University of London, 2019.

'Kim approached my creative project with the diligence, professionalism and attention to detail, that I have come to trust. She not only suggested improvements in terms of grammar but also language and style, enabling me to find the most succinct and powerful way of communicating my ideas to a broad, literary audience. Most valuable of all was the encouraging and insightful way she drew out key themes in the work, helping me to see its full potential. I felt that she really grasped what I was trying to achieve.'   Published writer of creative non-fiction on place and environmental issues, 2019.

'Working with Kim as editor of my Ph.D thesis was probably one of the best decisions I made through the course of completing a Ph.D. My examiners actually thanked me for an easy to read thesis with no mistakes. English is my second language and Kim did a marvellous job of transforming long clumsy sentences into eloquent easy to read text and suggesting alternative terms that better served the meaning. She is meticulous and very well informed of academic requirements in general as well as accurate citation and referencing. She is also very flexible and understanding, and has gone out of her way to ensure prompt delivery of edited material.'   Social Anthropology Ph.D, University of London, international student.

'Kim is not simply a good copy editor, but more important for me an excellent anthropologist and writer with an acute sensibility for the written text. You can sense this from the very thoughtful way in which she works with the text. Kim would never propose a solution [if unsure] of the original intention of the author. Kim's promptness and respect for commitments are extremely helpful for my current unpredictable work rhythm.'   Social Anthropology Ph.D, University of London, international student.

‘Have received my post-viva examiners' report. The exact wording was “The thesis is meticulously edited and presented” and “The text overall is professionally produced.”’   Social Anthropology Ph.D, University of London.

‘Kim took great time and care to ensure work read correctly. She helped me to sharpen up on points so that a clear, readable piece was delivered.’   Broadcast Journalism MA, Westminster University.

‘I passed my viva with no corrections. The examiners said that it was an exceptionally clean text.’   Social Anthropology Ph.D, University of London.

‘I have had the results - to my surprise and delight I gained a distinction - and a lot of it I owe to your careful proof reading.’   English Literature MA, Open University.

‘Kim read my thesis very carefully and attentively. She suggested very wisely what to change and how to improve the quality. [She] respected deadlines, was very scrupulous.’   Visual Anthropology Ph.D, University of London, international student.

'I really like working with Kim. I trust her totally and I feel that when I send her a piece of writing it is in very good hands. She is calm and mature. She is there when I need her - to answer promptly to planned submissions but also to urgent requests. She makes the texts I write sound English - which is great, isn't it? But not only this - sometimes she finds better words or phrases to say the things I only guess. She is careful [and] really looks at the text. That is why I feel that my texts once proof-read by her are more powerful, transmit better what I want to say. I think Kim asks for fair prices.'   Visual Anthropology Ph.D, University of London, international student.


An image of pages of books, made by P.F.White. Its title 'The Pleasured Text?' references R. Barthes' 1973 book 'Le Plaisir du Texte'

This page was last modified: January 2023
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