About me
I can undertake editing or proofreading of a wide variety of media including books, magazines, catalogues, company literature, promotional materials, journals or websites. My areas of specialist knowledge are the oil and gas industry, management/quality management, hazardous chemicals, geology and angling.
I can work with Microsoft Word (all versions up to Word 2007), Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe InDesign or the traditional way on paper.
I am an associate of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and a member of the Glasgow Editors' Network.
Download my CV here. Adobe PDF format (66 KB).
To see an example of my InDesign work - please click here. Adobe PDF format (1.85 MB).
Experience
Copy-editor for Mega Pike The Return by Jason Davis and Eddie Turner.
Copy-editor for 1001 Pike Angling Tips and Facts by Phil Wakeford and Jim Whittaker (publication pending).
Features Editor Pikelines magazine 2003–2005.
I am a trained proofreader and have completed the Basic Proofreading by Distance Learning course from the Publishing Training Centre (Pass with Merit). I am currently completing the PTC Copy-Editing course.
Recent proofreading work:
On-screen editing/proofreading of a technical report for Dietswell Engineering (France).
Proofreading of a glossary for an oil and gas directory produced by Editions, Edinburgh.
My background prior to starting work in editing was in management – both quality and operations management and before that in the oil and gas industry. As a quality manager for a West Yorkshire manufacturing company I was fully responsible for designing, documenting and auditing a quality management system that subsequently gained accreditation to ISO 9001:2000.
Published work
Articles on pike angling, in Pikelines magazine in the UK, Esox Angler in the US and also online at www.fishing.co.uk
Contributor to Neville Fickling’s Everything You Need to Know About Pike Fishing.
Contributor to Steve Rogowski’s Pike Fishing in the UK and Ireland.
Testimonials
“I have just been going through your comments and must congratulate you on a very, very thorough job. Well done, you have obviously got one hell of a lot more patience than I have.” Phil Wakeford – President of the Pike Anglers' Club of Great Britain.
“Mark’s assistance on the proofreading front with the production of the book proved invaluable to be honest. His contribution significantly helped in weeding out those final few errors, and lifted the final product at least a couple of percent in terms of accuracy and continuity. Both Eddie and I were very grateful for his assistance, and we would have no hesitation in recommending Mark’s services for work in this field.” Jason Davis.
“I personally feel this is one of the most inspirational stories I have ever read.” Neville Fickling on Mark Ackerley's contribution to Everything You Need to Know About Pike Fishing.
“All the chapters have something important, informative and interesting to say and some are particularly exciting, such as Bill Palmer's on fishing in the south-east of England and Mark Ackerley's on Ireland.” Dr Barrie Rickards in his foreword to Pike Fishing in the UK and Ireland.
Qualifications
Copy-Editing – The Publishing Training Centre (ongoing)
Basic Proofreading by Distance Learning – The Publishing Training Centre (Merit)
Certificate in Operations Management (Distinction)
Certificate in Supervisory Management
Drilling Supervisor's Certificate (HSE)
Drilling Supervisor's Certificate in Subsea Well Control
Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA)
BSc Hons degree in Geology
Interests
I am a lifelong angler specialising in carp and pike fishing and have caught over one hundred pike of twenty-pounds plus and ten of thirty-pounds plus. My personal best pike weighed thirty-seven pounds four ounces and came from Blithfield reservoir in 2002. In recent seasons I have concentrated on carp angling and have caught mirrors to thirty-four pounds and commons to thirty-two pounds two ounces, both from my native Yorkshire.
In 2005 I was made an honorary life member of the Pike Anglers' Club of Great Britain.
I enjoy foreign travel and have travelled extensively in Europe, Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad, India, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia.