Editors’ and Proofreaders’ Alliance of Northern Ireland

Siobhan Dignan

Based in: Belfast

Telephone: 028 9062 3372

Mobile: 07933 241464

Qualifications

MA English, University College Dublin.
BA English and Anthropology, Dean’s List, Grinnell College, USA.

Training and professional development

Introduction to Fiction Editing (SfEP).
Introduction to copy-editing (SfEP).
On-screen Editing 1 (SfEP).
Copywriting course, College of Commerce, Dublin.
Plain English Campaign.

Experience

Editor, writer, proofreader: 20+ years’ freelance for UK, Irish and US clients.
Copywriter: 20+ years’ ad agency/corporate communications work: US, Dublin, Belfast.

Volunteering:
* Editor/reviewer for patient information, Belfast Trust Reader Panel;
* Workshop mentor for Fighting Words, children’s creative writing centre;
* PR for RSPB and Save the Children.

Media

Manuscripts, marketing materials, publications/ezines, reports.

Skills and services offered

Editing: proofreading, copyediting, fact-checking, manuscript development/evaluation: fiction, memoirs, editorial, reports, marketing materials.

Americanisation: language and authenticity for UK clients reaching US audiences and vice versa.

Writing: Editorial – Trade publications, newsletters, advertorials, case histories, thought pieces, award entries.
Marketing – Brochures, press releases.

Subject areas

Fiction: family drama, community, autofiction.
Non-fiction: personal and family stories, healthcare, retail, mental health, tourism in Ireland.

Specialisms

Fiction: working with first-time and developing authors.
Memoirs and autofiction: editing, interviews, writing.
US vernacular.
Commercial projects: PR/advertising, industry publications.

Clients include

Authors (fiction, memoir) based in Northern Ireland, Britain, Ireland, the US.
The Hardware Association of Ireland, The Hardware Journal.
Public sector and related services: Economic Research and Consulting, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (voluntary).
Marketing/design agencies

Examples of work undertaken

Memoirs and fiction:
Americanisation: Half Irish, young adult novel.
Authenticity research: Anything But Steady, novel set in NI by US author.
Manuscript development: Under the Stone (by Heather McConnell); novel (title TBD) about a Presbyterian church community; Myles Ahead, a comic novel; mystery thriller set in South Down.
Fiction editing: WW2 adventure tale.
Proofreading: Nothing but the Truth (shortlisted for the 2024 Mslexia Children’s and Young Adult Novel competition).
Fantasy: Editing and developmental work on two multi-part series.
Young adult: novel by ASD teen.
Personal stories: Covid – anthology by frontline workers. The Troubles – We Are the Ripple Effect, Theatre of Witness. Bi-polar – An Ordinary Manic. Families – a memoir of child abuse. Loss – two-part series on grief translated from Urdu.

Editorial and marketing communications:
Writing, editing for The Hardware Journal trade publication.
Articles, thought pieces and award entries for Young Enterprise and Samaritans.
Editorial and content for Tourism Ireland, TourismNI, Invest NI.
Marketing materials and copy for Killeavy Castle Estate, The Killarney Hotels Collection, Northridge Finance.

Public sector:
Proofing public policy reports for Economic Research and Consulting.

Additional information

I can help you express your ideas clearly and engagingly. Whether the project needs a restructure, rewrite or review, careful trim or final polish; skilled writing and editing brings your work to life. Fiction becomes more compelling. Factual; more readable, informative and effective.

My background as an advertising copywriter ensures a prompt, professional and creative service, with an eye for flow, consistency and accuracy. All to bring out the best in your voice. For manuscripts, I offer a free sample edit.

Based in: Belfast

Telephone: 028 9062 3372

Mobile: 07933 241464