Rocky shoreline
Long Sands
Fish Quay
Rocky shoreline
Lighthouse Slide
The Staithes

Image by Graham Soult

Marsden Rock
Blyth Lighthouse

Image by Tanya Hall

About me

Luke Finley Editorial is owned and run by me, Luke Finley.

  • Professional editor and proofreader since 2013/14
  • Thousands of hours of experience copy-editing and proofreading
  • Specialisms include social and public policy, development economics research, equalities and diversity, community relations, social sciences, memoirs …
  • … But I work on lots of other subject matter too
  • Advanced Professional Member, Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
  • I’ve trained with CIEP and Publishing Training Centre
  • With fellow editor Laura Ripper, I wrote the CIEP training course Plain English for Editors and the 2nd edition of the CIEP guide Editing into Plain English
  • From 2020 to 2022, I served on the governing Council of the CIEP, as the organisation’s first (and so far only) equality, inclusion and diversity director

Before 2014 I worked in the public sector, on social policy and community relations. Before that I was an anti-racist worker in the voluntary sector. I bring knowledge of the subject matter, conventions and terminology of these fields/sectors, and broad writing experience of my own, from this previous career to my editing work.

Before that I worked in book publishing for a couple of years after university, in the editorial and production departments

I have a first-class degree in Combined Studies in Arts from Newcastle University, mainly in English literature and language.

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WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Mr. Luke Finley is not only a professional, but also a wonderful person to work with [and] I would choose him over and over again. He makes it part of his job to engage in dialogue and make sure that the author's meaning is never misrepresented. I recommend you reach out to Luke any time you want to become a better writer and a more lighthearted partner in dialogue. You will be waiting for his emails to brighten your day!

Georgina Gabor, Department of Philosophy and Communication Studies, West University of Timisoara, Romania, 2022

Luke Finley’s fantastic editorial skills and service have been invaluable in preparing Triple Line’s research for public dissemination ... His thorough attention to detail, understanding of the subject matter and helpful comments have been instrumental in ensuring that Triple Line produces top-quality and readable research papers. ... Reliable, prompt and approachable ... a pleasure to work with.

Anne-Marie O'Riordan, Triple Line Consulting

Triple Line Consulting

I have worked with a number of copy-editors over the years; you've been one of the best if not the best ... I hope we get to work together again.

Author published with Routledge

Luke Finley was really quick ... extremely thorough, but didn't edit more than necessary ... and he caught a number of issues/places where I'd been inconsistent ... He did a terrific job and was pleasant and professional throughout. I'd work with him again in a heartbeat, and would recommend him to anyone else without reservation.

Author published with Cambridge University Press

Luke is an extremely approachable and hardworking individual who has helped me and my company PNE Enterprise immensely with its corporate identity ... Not only does Luke do an amazing job but he also helps us keep our ‘voice’, meaning that our business work still sounds like it has come from us.

Melissa Middleton, Manager of PNE Enterprise, Newcastle upon Tyne

PNE Enterprise

Working with Luke has been an absolute pleasure in every way! It's not just a question of his being an exquisitely skilled, organized, timely and intelligent editor, it's that he gets exactly where you're coming from and can help you express yourself in the best way possible. I couldn't have done it without him, and don't intend on working without him in the future.

Ami Toben, author of Debating Religion

It was a pleasure working with Luke. He was thorough, prompt, and paid attention to details I had missed. Would highly recommend him as an editor.

Tammy Bottner, author of Among the Reeds (tammybottner.com)

Luke Finley assisted me with both a developmental edit and a copy edit of my memoir. It had previously been rejected 34 times but since Luke's help it has been accepted for publication! As a great editor and a careful reader, Luke helped me organize my manuscript, making it easier to read and making my personal style more pronounced and polished, while keeping "my voice" perfectly. I highly recommend his services.

Jennifer Landau-Carter

Jennifer Landau-Carter

90 Charles Street