Editorial

I provide editorial services to a number of environmental organisations, including feature writing for in-house publications, web copy, promotional material, blogs, annual reports and guides. I enjoy working with specialists in their field and 'translating' scientific or complex subjects into accessible and engaging writing for a wider public.

My clients include the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, the Orangutan Foundation, the Scottish Seabird Centre, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Natural History Museum and WWF.

A Few Examples

I have a strong sense of the shape of story and a feeling for style and consistency in language. As well as editing for a number of leading environmental charities, I have edited and co-edited the following books and publications.

 

Features

I trained in magazine journalism at Napier University in Edinburgh and specialise in writing features. I have a lively, accessible style and a reputation for vivid, descriptive nature writing. My features have been published in BBC Wildlife Magazine, Wild Travel, Scotland Outdoors, Scotland on Sunday, the Scotsman and CA Magazine.

Writing Workshops

I facilitate writing workshops, especially in nature writing and life writing. I sometimes work in partnership with poet and writer Alison Lock. We can offer short taster courses, days or longer retreats. I also offer training within organisations to equip staff to create more vivid copy for their own publications and websites.
Please get in touch for further details.

Some feedback from sessions at the Scottish Ornithologists Club, Wiston Lodge  and Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre:

"I have really enjoyed this session. It has been like a big door opening for me... You were both wonderful facilitators - you valued and respected every participant and every contribution made to the group. The session was enhanced by you both sharing your own writing and experiences. Thank you Alison and Anna"

"I liked the relaxed and informal feel of the sessions... the time flew by."

"I learned that any topic can open up a path"

"Excellent workshop - the timing was well managed - nothing felt rushed and I wasn't twiddling my thumbs at all. It was a revelation that five minutes is both long enough and short enough. I would really like to take the practice into my daily life."

"Thanks that was really great. I like all the concepts and steps to support your writing. I never really write for myself. The workshop was great – steps, format, suggestions, I liked the poems - nothing to point out to improve it! Just want to do it again!"

"I found it challenging but not too challenging, and stimulating. This was the first creative writing workshop I've done and would like to do more now... so you must have done something right!"

"I found the workshop extremely useful. I was slightly apprehensive, wondering if I would be able to write anything but I ran out of time on most of the exercises."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day. My brain was buzzing with ideas as a result of the trigger objects and the different ways of leading into writing. Overall very inspiring. Can we do it again?!"

Music & Misc Editorial

Some of the best writing fun I've had in recent years has been a spot of guest blogging for the wonderful Walking Heads music tours. My first ever published writing was in fanzines and in my teenage years I wanted to be a music journalist when I grew up (!)  Getting paid to go to gigs seemed a good plan altogether. Wildlife claimed me in the meantime, but my teenage self is still there inside and it's been fun to let her out every now and then and indulge in some interviews and reviews, and it's surprising how many of my heroes from way back then are still gigging today...

Leo and Anto

 

The Waterboys

 

The Saw Doctors

 

Hothouse Flowers
The Old Fruitmarket