Auckland
New Zealand
claire.gummer [at] xtra.co.nz
WHAT I’LL DO
Editing and proofreading of most documents, eg articles, books, directories, indexes, newsletters, press releases, reports, shopping lists, theses, websites. (What I won’t generally do: freelance assessment of manuscripts, editing or proofreading of self-published fiction or poetry. For manuscript assessment, try the New Zealand Association of Manuscript Assessors.)
Aptitudes and attitudes
I am a diligent communications professional with ten years’ experience in journalism and eleven in the book industry. I am an expert at reading closely and am always interested in people and the world around me. In editing and proofreading I balance thoroughness with sensitivity, humour, respect.
Public acknowledgements
Jenny Carlyon, Diana Morrow, Urban Village, Random House, history, 2008 — ‘We ... are especially grateful to Claire Gummer for her skilful and meticulous editorial input’
Alan Duff, Dreamboat Dad, Vintage, fiction, 2008 — ‘Claire Gummer, with her sharp eye and great suggestions’
Paula Green, Harry Ricketts, 99 Ways into New Zealand Poetry, Vintage, literature, 2010 — ‘This large and complex book benefited from the dedicated editorial role of Claire Gummer’
Lauraine Jacobs, Ginny Grant, Kathy Paterson, The New Zealand Vegetable Cookbook, Random House, 2010 — ‘the very patient and talented Claire Gummer’
Fiona Kidman, Where Your Left Hand Rests, Godwit, poetry, 2010 — ‘Claire Gummer whose inspired suggestions were invaluable’
Jenny Pattrick, Landings, Black Swan, fiction, 2008 — ‘the Random House New Zealand team, especially sharp-eyed Claire Gummer’
Philip Temple, Chance Is a Fine Thing, Vintage, memoir, 2009 — ‘the meticulous editing of Claire Gummer, who picked up some real clangers’
career
2001–date freelance editor and proofreader
Editing and proofreading books for New Zealand publishers (including editing the winner of the 2010 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best Cookbook in the World — Me‘a Kai: The Food and Flavours of the South Pacific); also academic documents such as Master’s and Ph D theses.
2004–2009 editor, Random House New Zealand
Production and editorial responsibilities with Quark, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, Word. The sole staff member whose main job was proofreading and editing. Worked with new and noted authors across trade publishing: novels, short fiction; poetry; children’s and YA titles; biographies, memoirs and travel narratives; mind, body and spirit books; practical non-fiction such as cookbooks, gardening and parenting books; art and history books. Wrote a quarterly newsletter for Random House authors and editorial freelancers.
1999–2003 bookseller, the Women’s Bookshop
Bookseller-plus role in one of New Zealand’s key independent bookshops. Serving customers, writing and designing newsletters and booklists, speaking to media, updating website, marketing, creating displays, undertaking stock control, running the shop in owner Carole Beu’s absence.
1996–1999 co-editor, then editor, express national newspaper
1993–1996 senior reporter, Man to Man (renamed express)
The newspaper’s first employed and qualified journalist. Established Man to Man as the reliable and comprehensive source of New Zealand gay news and features. From 1996, I took on more responsibility for editorial planning, co-ordinating part-timers and casual contributors, layout, marketing, while maintaining my role as a working journalist.
1993–1996 PA and subeditor for New Zealand food writer Jan Bilton
Wrote and subbed for Foodtown Supermarkets’ Living Today magazine, proofread recipes for publication elsewhere and undertook clerical tasks.
1990–1993 reporter, North Shore Times Advertiser
Education, arts, traffic and local government coverage in a city-wide newspaper delivered three times a week.
