Katrina Lampert
Freelance Editor

What am I all about?

I am not your average editor.

The world of editing found me through happenstance. Raised in both the U.S. and Germany and working in predominantly international contexts, I often find myself the only native speaker of English in a room. However, what started as a simple competitive advantage quickly became the most enjoyable part of my work.

My circuitous path into this career allows me to offer clients a premium package of services. Throughout my academic and professional careers working across sectors and continents, I have honed many skills beyond those of your typical editor.

I excel in helping authors from diverse language backgrounds wishing to publish in English. Having previously worked in my non-native language, I understand the frustrations of possessing expertise but not being able to share it professionally. Furthermore, unlike most editors, I have studied and worked in British and American English and am proficient in editing according to either style.

My background includes working for a wide range of clients. I have done everything from drafting speeches for ambassadors, running a policy blog, and formatting academic papers. Good editing is not just correcting grammar and fixing typos; it is the ability to know the author's audience and strike the right tone.

How can I help your writing?

A good editor is invisible.

Have you ever read something and thought, wow, the ideas are all there, but the writing is sloppy and unprofessional? Better yet, have you ever written something and wished you could communicate your ideas more clearly? This is where I come in.

My goal is to make your work shine. I work hand-in-hand with authors through all stages of the editorial process. You will be proud to publish your final product.

Take a look below to understand the types of services I offer!

Copyediting & Mechanical editing

Also known as proofreading, this is the lightest level of editing I provide. In this case, I review your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Mechanical editing goes hand-in-hand with copyediting. Together, we decide upon the framework style needed in your text—for example, the Chicago Manual of Style or Associated Press (AP) Style—and I ensure cohesiveness.

Additionally, we will decide if your text should be in American or British English, and I will check for consistency. You would be surprised at how many people accidentally mix the two!

Line editing &
Substantive editing

As its name suggests, I look at the actual prose of your text line-by-line, checking for syntax and word choice. Namely, I ensure your word order follows the correct sequence, the correct verb tense is being used, and consistent use of pronouns. Likewise, I see that unnecessary jargon is eliminated, and your audience understands your technical wording.

Going one step further, with substantive editing, I check for overall flow, including conciseness, tone, and voice. I consult with you, the author, to understand your text's length requirements and audience. Once understood, I edit to ensure texts are not too long, unnecessarily repetitive, or inappropriately switch between formal and informal language.

Structural & Developmental editing

This is the highest “big picture” level of editing, where I examine the overall organisation of your text. With structural editing, I look at the logical flow of the arguments being made and assess whether the current format of your text best supports your main points. In this review, I may suggest adding or deleting sections, renaming headers/titles, or rearranging paragraphs.

Alongside this, I conduct developmental editing, focusing on the content and ideas in your writing. I may suggest to you, the author, how to develop your arguments further and clarify your ideas.

Which types of texts do I edit?

• Fundraising proposals/grant writing and contracting bids (non-profit and business development)

• Business, policy, and research reports

• Organisation/company publications (e.g. annual reports, newsletters, etc.)

• Blogposts and articles

• Bachelor + Master theses, and PhD Dissertations

• Essays, journal articles, and white papers

• Application documents (résumés, CVs, cover letters, etc.)

• Website content (marketing, informational, educational, etc.)

• Non-fiction books and textbooks

• And many more!

Experience

October 2023 – present

Freelance Editor

Skilled in all stages of editorial processes: copyediting, line editing, and structural editing.
Engages clients from various industries, with subject matter expertise in the non-profit and academic sectors.
Experienced in managing numerous client projects simultaneously, meeting tight deadlines, and working with organisations’ teams.
Trained in editing according to both British and American English or collaborating with clients to create unique style guides for their organisations’ needs.
Expert in working with non-native English speakers.

October 2021 – September 2022

Tom Klark's

Assistant to the Executive Manager

Translated (German to English) and edited all English-language marketing products, including website, brochures, and product descriptions.
Managed client relations; point of contact for all client support inquiries and account administration.
Directed a team of ten support staff, including delegation of tasks and quality control oversight.

January 2020 – June 2021

Editor of the blog about:intel—Stiftung Neue Verantwortung e.V. (think tank)

A pan-European discussion forum on foreign and domestic policy as it relates to security, technology, and democracy. Hosted by the think tank SNV in Berlin.

Managed all publication workflows and publishing timetables in coordination with team, management, and finance department.
Liaised with expert authors worldwide through numerous rounds of editing.
Created the blog’s style guide and reviewed and edited all final copy for accuracy, including rewriting articles.
Implemented technical tasks: website publication, online social media dissemination, and layout preparation.
Conceptualised, sourced (creative commons), and edited graphics to accompany publications.
Authored article on EU trade policy and export control regarding surveillance technology.
Led creative brainstorming of new panel themes with editorial team, involving scouting for expert authors.

June 2016 – July 2019

Democracy Reporting International gGmbH (non-profit)

Programme Officer, Global Projects (among other positions)

Drafted project proposals (fundraising) and framework contract bids (business development).
Managed EU, German, and DFID-funded projects globally in the fields of human rights and good governance.
Authored analyses and factsheets for publication within projects.
Editor for all English-language publications, including internal office manuals and the organisation’s annual report.
Ensured technical and quality assurance of projects against work plans and budgets.
Drafted narrative reports to donors like the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission.
Organised international conferences and expert round table events.

September 2014 – July 2015

German Development Cooperation (GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)

Professional Year Trainee, Fiscal Decentralisation and Good Governance Programme

Reviewed and edited the book Getting Closer to the People: Decentralisation in Rwanda, published by GIZ.
Provided content and editorial feedback and liaised with authors through numerous rounds of editing.
Interviewed Head of GIZ Rwanda Country Office; authored text included in the final publication.

June 2014 – August 2014

U.S. State Department—U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Intern, Management & Reform Section

Drafted speaking notes for diplomatic representatives.
Attended UN Committee and Security Council working groups and drafted summaries for internal office use.
Liaised with Dept. Peacekeeping Operations and think-tank experts to write a cable on how the UN Integrated Planning and Assessment Policy is applied to peacekeeping missions.

September 2013 – June 2014

Editor in Chief of “Schlossplatz3”—Hertie School Journal

(*now called The Governance Post)

Managed the entire publication process of the journal issue “Sustainability”, published in Spring 2014.
Led editorial strategy, scouted for authors, and selected final articles for publication.
Oversaw the editorial team, ensuring cohesive copy, line, and structural editing.
Wrote editorial introduction and conclusion; interviewed academics for two journal articles.
Liaised with the communications department and external illustrator to conceptualise and select graphics.

January 2012 – March 2012

U.S. European Command—Strategic Communications Directorate

Intern

Researched and composed open-source analysis reports supporting General-level officers on geopolitical and security topics, including the political situation in the Levant and the military relationship between the United States and Poland.

Education

2019 – present

Master of Research Training

Humboldt University of Berlin

2013 – 2016

Master of Public Policy

Hertie School of Governance

2009 – 2013

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, German, and International Relations

Ursinus College

2007 – 2009

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International School of Stuttgart

Select Publications

Lampert, K. (Ed.). (n.d.). about:intel - European Voices on Surveillance. https://aboutintel.eu/

Lampert, Katrina. “Dual-Use Surveillance Tech: How Trade Agreements Can Incentivise Good Behaviour.” about:intel, November 3, 2020. https://aboutintel.eu/eu-export-controls-trade-incentives/.

Lampert, Katrina. “Virtually Crossing the Pond: VR Technology in Transatlantic Relations.” Atlantic Initiative: Center for Security and Justice Research, July 10, 2017.

Lampert, Katrina. “Interview with Dr. Ulrike Maenner: Rwanda Past and Present.” Essay. In Getting Closer to the People: Decentralisation in Rwanda. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, 2015.

Lampert, Katrina, ed. Getting Closer to the People: Decentralisation in Rwanda. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, 2015.

Lampert, Katrina, and Sienna Yiling Pan. “Interview with Dr. Xiaobo Lü: The Effect of Corruption on Environmental Governance in China.” Schlossplatz3 Sustainability, no. 16 (Spring 2014): 4–6.

Lampert, Katrina, and Meilin Moellenkamp. “Interview with Dr. Michaela Kreyenfeld: Population Demographics and the Sustainability of the Welfare State.” Schlossplatz3 Sustainability, no. 16 (Spring 2014): 24–26.

Lampert, Katrina, ed. “Editorial.” Schlossplatz3 Sustainability, no. 16 (Spring 2014): 2–3.

Lampert, Katrina. “A Rainbow Nation, A Christian Nation: The Role of Religion during Apartheid and the Transition to Inclusive Democracy in South Africa.” Ursinus College Journal of Political Science & International Relations, April 2013.

Ready to connect?

Reach out to contact@literarylampert.com

I would be happy to have a 15-minute no-obligation conversation with you to learn about your project and see how I can help!

English (Mother tongue)

German (C1 proficiency)

Katrina Lampert

contact@literarylampert.com

Katrina LampertFreelance Editor