My very first 'freelance' was proof reading for Penguin Books, where I started work as a graduate copy editor in 1977; more recently, in 2007, I became a consultant for canyouproofthis.com.

Other proof reading clients since 1990 include Pitman Publishing and Videotel Marine International, both undisputed world leaders in specialist training materials development, at the cutting edge of innovation in their respective fields.

'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ... does at least make the reassuring claim, that where it is inaccurate it is at least definitively inaccurate. In cases of major discrepancy it's always reality that's got it wrong...This has led to some interesting consequences. For instance, when the Editors of the Guide were sued by the families of those who had died as a result of taking the entry on the planet Traal literally (it said "Ravenous Bugblatter Beasts often make a very good meal for visiting tourists" instead of "Ravenous Bugblatter Beasts often make a very good meal of visiting tourists")...' Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.