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John F.
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John F.

Native English Editor and Proofreader | 25 Years of Experience

For your editing and proofreading, hire a pro with over 25 years of experience I’ve been a writer and editor for nearly 25 years, working for diverse organizations and individuals. I’ve built my reputation on meticulous attention to detail, technical knowledge, and a commitment to delivering excellent results. My professional experience began with writing and editing military reports for the US Marine Corps and now extends to developing materials for English as a foreign language (EFL) students, reviewing digital media for companies worldwide, and proofreading STEM manuscripts intended for publication in renowned academic journals. ------ A Career Built on Quality and Precision I developed my integrity, leadership, and perseverance during my service in the Marines. I maintained a Top Secret/SCI security clearance for seven years, demonstrating my discretion and trustworthiness. During my nine total years of service, I was rapidly promoted, achieving the rank of staff sergeant (E6) ahead of my peers. As an intelligence specialist, I researched databases, fact-checked reporting, and wrote and edited detailed reports intended for high-level organizations, including the Department of Defense. This experience opened my eyes to the need for accuracy, consistency, and clarity—principles I’ve applied to my career ever since. ------ Expertise in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Content Development After leaving the military, I taught EFL at Japan's largest language school. I then transitioned to the school’s publishing subsidiary, where, as a development editor, I led teams of writers, graphic designers, illustrators, and voice actors in creating textbooks and their ancillary materials. These included teacher guides, student workbooks, flashcards, and listening comprehension products. I used my creative approach, technical expertise, and knowledge of project management approaches to deliver complex products on time and to standards exceeding expectations. To maintain consistency within and across products, and to help my teams maintain a clear vision, I set up complex schedules with overlapping deadlines, developed and applied standard operating procedures to guide production, and fostered respectful relationships among stakeholders. I incorporated sound project management principles, so the teams I led developed products more quickly and maintained higher accuracy at final proofing than other teams working on similar materials. ------ Freelance Writing, Editing, and Proofreading: A Commitment to Excellence In 2006, I began freelancing part-time. In 2014, I transitioned to full-time freelance work, where I continue to apply my skills and experience to a range of projects. I’ve contracted with organizations to write articles and business correspondence, review documents for grammar and style, and rewrite content, as necessary, to achieve a high level of quality while applying in-house and published style guidelines. I focus on detail, apply technical competence, and engage in cordial interactions, for which I’ve been rewarded with several fantastic long-term clients. I also work with specialist agencies and a professional magazine to proofread materials for publication in prestigious journals. I ensure the manuscripts are grammatical and readable, meet formatting requirements, and maintain accurate citations and reference lists. My work is crucial in helping authors succeed in highly competitive academic fields. ------ Driving Digital Media Success In 2022, I engaged with an award-winning team with over 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers. I edited their once-weekly newsletter to expand their visibility and reach within the online community. My improvements to quality and efficiency helped the client grow their base by 70%—from 35,000 to almost 60,000 subscribers—over one year. My efforts also enabled the client to increase output to three publications per week, further cementing them as a leader in their niche. ------ A Versatile and Impactful Professional Throughout my career, I’ve demonstrated my ability to work on projects of all levels of complexity. I assist teams in collaborative settings or work independently to provide clients with end products that help them achieve their goals. With over two decades of experience in writing, editing, and content development, and through my strong technical skills and adept project management techniques, I've become a versatile and impactful professional who delivers results that exceed expectations. I always seek new opportunities. If you need a pro with vast experience, a strong commitment to excellence, and a long-standing record of success, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect with you to discuss how we can achieve your goals. ------ Editing Proficiencies Articles / Consumer Guides / EFL Education and Testing Materials / Email Funnels / Marketing Materials / Product and Services Descriptions / Professional Correspondence / STEM Research

🇺🇸Winter Park, United States$35/hr100% JSS5.00 (15)Since Apr 2017

Earnings and projects

MRR
$13

Last 6 months ÷ 6

World#169,837 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#22,303 / 62.1k
Revenue, last 30 days
$0

Last 6 months: $79

Total earnings
$27k

Billed in all: $27k

World#118,094 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#20,137 / 62.1k
Per project
$1.4k

$79 in the last 6 months

World#98,638 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#16,761 / 62.1k
Projects, last 6 months
1
0% fixed100% hourly
World#128,092 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#16,472 / 62.1k
Projects in all
19

Across 22 contracts

55% fixed45% hourly
World#138,388 / 412k
🇺🇸Country#20,062 / 62.1k

Earnings, last 30 days

$27.3kNothing earned in the last 30 daysBilled in all, before Upwork's fee · drag across the chart to see what was earned in any stretch
$26.5k$27.0k$27.5k$28.0kOct 8Oct 23Nov 7

Skill rankings: Top 30% in Recipe Writing

Ranked by MRR among everyone on Upwork with the skill.

  1. #19Slang Writing61 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #6Top 31%
  2. #136Recipe Writing456 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #37Top 30%
  3. #187Technical Editing512 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #84Top 37%
  4. #466Line Editing910 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #244Top 51%
  5. #481Developmental Editing1,059 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #245Top 45%
  6. #2,000Copy Editing5,372 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #888Top 37%
  7. #4,290Editing & Proofreading11,045 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #1,229Top 39%
  8. #5,984Proofreading14,990 freelancers · 🇺🇸 #1,345Top 40%