who i am

welcome

I’m a freelance journalist, editor, proofreader and travel photographer with more than 13 years’ experience creating, curating and improving content. Pre-pandemic, I wrote a lot about travel; these days I cover primarily business and technology beats. I also write about sustainability, logistics, psychology, science and sport, as well as copywriting for clients in the banking, insurance, energy and sustainability sectors. Whatever the topic, I believe that people respond to engaging, well-researched copy that tells a story. 

My editing work encompasses everything from planning, research and commissioning of titles through to copy editing, rewriting and checking of final proofs. I regularly manage teams of distributed freelancers, and am comfortable coordinating with in-house editorial, design and sales teams too. I’ve edited books on fly-fishing, children’s décor, how to drive a car, and a scrapbooking title I’d rather forget. 

I kinda dislike the term “digital nomad”, so I’ll just say that I work wherever I have my laptop and an internet connection, and I’m presently based in the glorious city of Taipei. When I’m not at my desk you’ll find me hiking, exploring country backroads on my trusty scooter, pointing my camera at things or playing Gaelic football. I speak basic Mandarin and atrocious Afrikaans.

My experience

FREELANCE WRITER, EDITOR (Dec 2016 – present, South Africa and abroad)

  • Write articles and columns encompassing business, environmental affairs, technology, energy, logistics and travel for a range of titles.
  • Write and edit SEO-friendly blog and website copy for clients in the sustainability, energy, banking, insurance and hospitality spaces.
  • Manage editorial process for magazines from conception to publication, drawing up synopses, briefing writers and ensuring quality content.
  • Sub-edit and proofread a range of publications for grammar, style, logic and consistency, liaising with writers and rewriting where necessary.

EDITOR – PICASSO HEADLINE: Khuluma – Kulula.com’s in-flight magazine (Jul 2012 – Dec 2016, South Africa)

  • Managed editorial process – planning strategies, drawing up synopses, commissioning, and liaising with client, guest editors and third parties.
  • Updated the look and content of the publication, adding relevant sections and guiding redesigns, to the satisfaction of client.
  • Worked with sales team to maximise revenue opportunities, meeting monthly targets in a challenging market for print publishing.

SUB-EDITOR – NEW MEDIA PUBLISHING: Mango Juice magazine (Feb 2010 – Jun 2012, South Africa)

  • Sub-edited all copy, planned issues, liaised with client and contributors, conceptualised and wrote stories, and took photographs for Juice.
  • Was responsible for all magazine copy, ensuring factual and grammatical accuracy, consistency of style and a high editorial standard.
  • Wrote articles across all sections, including regulars and features.

EDITOR – PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE SOUTH AFRICA (Feb 2007 – Mar 2009, South Africa)

  • Worked on a variety of projects in the Lifestyle division, including health and fitness, interior décor, children’s stories and sports titles.
  • Saw titles through from manuscript to print and liaised with authors, designers, proofreaders and translators.
  • Edited manuscripts for grammar, logic, consistency and style. Co-edited, proofread, rewrote and wrote promotional material for a range of titles.

My clients include

  • National Geographic
  • Business Day
  • Sunday Times
  • Dentsu
  • Khuluma
  • African Leader
  • Astron Energy
  • Nedbank
  • Airbnb
  • The Media Magazine
  • 2U
  • Goodman Lantern
  • GraySwan
  • EVA Air
  • Discovery