Meet Annie

If you need a qualified proofreader then you’re in the right place.

I am a Professional Member of the CIEP. Here is my entry in their directory.

You might be an author, publisher, or business. Find out if we’re a good match by reading my Proofreading page. Think of me as your fairy godmother sprinkling publishing confidence.

Qualities of my proofreading service

You are guaranteed:

  • training and professionalism – see my qualifications below
  • integrity – you are offered fair Terms & Conditions, within the CIEP Code of Practice
  • consistency – your writing style is checked for all matters of inconsistency
  • quality – a high standard of efficient error-checking.

 

Courses & Qualifications

Here’s why I am qualified to check that your writing is error free. Here is one of my training certificates.

Certificate_ DCE_How to Mark Up PDF Proofs

 

I have completed these trusted and respected CIEP training courses (most recent first):

  • Passed the CIEP Basic Editorial Test (Dec 2024)
  • CIEP annual conferences (Sept 2017–2024)
  • July 2022: Denise Cowle Editorial (fellow CIEP member) – How to Mark Up PDF Proofs. (see course certificate above.) 
  • May 2022: CIEP Editing Digital Content
  • Oct 2021: CIEP Word for Practical Editing
  • Dec 2020: CIEP Copyediting 1: Introduction
  • May 2020: Completion of CIEP Proofreading mentoring scheme (mentoring from an APM CIEP member). 
  • May 2017: SfEP PR3: Proofreading Progress.

Understanding mental health

In 2024 I did a course with The Skills Network called Understanding Mental Health First Aid. It helped me to understand how to promote good mental health and to support those (fellow freelancers and clients) with mental ill health. (Note: as I was sponsored financially, the course used my official first name.)

understanding mental health first aid certificate page 1
understanding mental health first aid certificate page 2

When I began freelancing …

As a retired classroom teacher, I started my freelance proofreading business in January 2017 when I suffered health issues after 30 years in the classroom.

I joined the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) in 2017 and upgraded using training and gaining experience as a proofreader and editor.

 

Annie Deakins Proofnow Proofreader

My background …

I graduated in the late 80s with a BEd degree (Primary Education), having grown up in Paisley, near Glasgow. Hence the Scottish name for my blog. Have you read any of my blog posts yet?

On graduation, I ventured ‘South of the Border’ – eek – to begin teaching.  I taught in classrooms in Essex, until 2015. Now I use my marking and marketing skills to freelance with my own business. With MUCH enthusiasm.

If you are a fellow editor or teacher, I post a monthly blog called #TallTartanTalks about my business experiences. Read my weekly tips about my experiences on LinkedIn by searching for the hashtag #TallTartanTips. If you follow my hashtags, you won’t miss any of my tips or blog posts.

Tutoring

Another part of my portfolio is tutoring primary school children on a 1-1 basis. Some habits are hard to break …  See my page on Primary Tutoring.

I also need little people in my life as I live with two strapping sons and an artistic husband, all over 6 feet tall. Stroking the cats helps too.

 

about me