iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 31/08/2026

I've been introducing my husband to @robinhobb.bsky.social's fabulous Farseer trilogy via the wonderful narration by @joeeyre.bsky.social (who will hopefully be commissioned to narrate the later books too...!🤞). We're now on book 3, 'Assassin's Quest'. #BookSky💙📚🪐 #MondayReads #RealmOfTheElderlings

Audiobook cover of 'Assassin's Quest' by Robin Hobb, book three of the Farseer trilogy, which is the first set of books in the Realm of the Elderlings series.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 25/08/2026

Absolutely over the moon to share that I'm now an Advanced Professional member of @the-ciep.bsky.social! Huge thanks to all my clients, my wonderful referees, and to CIEP for approving my membership upgrade (and so speedily too!). This news has made my day! 🙌 🥳 #Proofreader #Copyeditor #CIEP #CPD

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 24/08/2026

I’ve already read @emilyrcwilson.bsky.social’s brilliant translation of ‘The Odyssey’, which I absolutely loved, so I’m now reading her translation of ‘The Iliad’ – it’s very different in tone, but I’m really enjoying it! Love all the translation notes too – so interesting! #MondayReads #BookSky 💙📚🏺

A paperback copy of ‘The Iliad’ by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 17/08/2026

‘Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent’ by Judi Dench, from interviews with Brendan O’Hea. She explains the way Shakespeare wrote lines shows us how to read, understand, perform. Great anecdotes from her own performances. This is how Shakespeare should be taught – fascinating and funny! #booksky 💙📚

An e-reader being held up, showing the cover of ‘Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent’ by Judi Dench.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 13/04/2026

Morning! I’m reading ‘A Place of Greater Safety’ by Hilary Mantel (from @4thestatebooks.bsky.social), currently in the years leading up to the French Revolution.

Overhead view of a paperback copy of ‘A Place of Greater Safety’ by Hilary Mantel. The cover art shows the French flag against a grey backdrop, with smoke-like smudges around the edges.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 03/04/2026

Treat yourself to a book this Easter (any book!) from @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you could win a £400 gift card to spend on even more books, ebooks or gift cards – all while supporting indie bookshops from the comfort of your sofa 😊🙌 uk.bookshop.org/shop/nicolab... #BookSky 💙📚 #UKGiveaway 🎁

A graphic of a pile of cards with text that reads: Win a £400 Bookshop.org gift card! Buy a book 3–6 April to enter.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 02/02/2026

Happy Monday! I’m listening to Terry Pratchett’s ‘Unseen Academicals’, narrated by Colin Morgan, Bill Nighy and Peter Serafinowicz. Also very excited to discover there are new audiobook versions of Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy, narrated by Joe Eyre, so they’ll definitely be up next! #BookSky 💙📚🪐

Screenshot of the cover art of the audiobook of ‘Unseen Academicals’ by Terry Pratchett, part of the Discworld series.

Screenshot of the cover art of the audiobook of ‘Assassin’s Apprentice’ by Robin Hobb, the first book in the Farseer trilogy.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 02/02/2026

It’s been a busy end to 2025 and start to 2026. Through the books I’ve worked on recently, I’ve travelled vicariously to Africa, Antarctica, the Americas and the Arctic. Asia and Europe are up next. (Love my job!) I’m available for new freelance projects from April 😊 #AmCopyediting #AmProofreading

Overhead view of a 2025–2026 diary on a tabletop. The diary cover is patterned with flowers in bright, vibrant colours.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 26/01/2026

Morning! I finished reading ‘Ancillary Justice’ by Ann Leckie at the weekend, which I really enjoyed – looking forward to reading the rest of the Imperial Radch trilogy! For now, though, I’m switching pace with ‘Legends and Lattes’ by Travis Baldree. #BookSky 💙📚🪐 #AmReading

A paperback copy of ‘Ancillary Justice’ by Ann Leckie stands propped up against a stack of four other books (these are the next two books in the Imperial Radch trilogy – ‘Ancillary Sword’ and ‘Ancillary Mercy’ – and two other, standalone novels set in the same world, ‘Provenance’ and ‘Translation State’).

An e-reader showing the ebook cover of ‘Legends and Lattes’ by Travis Baldree.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 28/10/2025

Super busy at the moment, and my brain feels like it’s constantly buzzing – but I’m glad I made myself take a #StetWalk in the soft drizzle today 😊🍁🍂

View through an autumnal woodland, following the line of a low stone wall. The ground is completely covered with autumn leaves.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 02/05/2025

#CurrentlyReading ‘Ariadne’ by Jennifer Saint (published by @wildfirebooks.bsky.social). I’ve been meaning to read this for ages, and today it called to me 😊 #BookSky 📚💙 #GreekMythology 🏺

Ebook cover of ‘Ariadne’ by Jennifer Saint. The artwork shows a woman in the Classical, Ancient Greek style. She holds a golden vine, entwined around a branch above her with golden leaves and bunches of grapes. A snake is wrapped around a branch higher up, with another vine reaching towards a ship with full sails.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 14/04/2025

I’m listening to the audiobook of The Hobbit, wonderfully narrated by Andy Serkis. #BookSky 📚💙 #AmReading

Cover of the audiobook of ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Andy Serkis. The cover art shows mountains, with six figures standing on a rocky peak, with another four figures climbing up to join them.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 24/02/2025

Final instalment, here we come! #AmReading ‘The Mirror and the Light’ by Hilary Mantel, published by @4thestatebooks.bsky.social I’ve been really looking forward to this but I know I’ll be sorry when it’s over – such a great trilogy! 🙌 #BookSky 💙📚 #HistoricalFiction #WolfHallTrilogy

A paperback copy of ‘The Mirror and the Light’ by Hilary Mantel stands in front of a cushion on a sofa.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 17/02/2025

‘Guilty by Definition’ by @susiedent.com, which I’m really enjoying! (Love the mix of mystery and word nerdery – intriguing and fascinating in equal measure!) #AmReading #BookSky 💙📚

The cover of the ebook of ‘Guilty by Definition’ by Susie Dent. The black-and-white artwork shows a large, open hardback book on a desk in front of bookshelves.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 30/01/2025

Making the most of a spare hour between projects this afternoon to enjoy a spot of reading over a cuppa 😊☕️ #CurrentlyReading ‘Bring up the Bodies’ by Hilary Mantel, published by @4thestatebooks.bsky.social #Booksky #HistoricalFiction 💙📚

A close-up of a paperback copy of ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ by Hilary Mantel. The cover shows the silhouette of a falcon in gold, with jesses on its feet, flying above the flames of a growing fire.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 06/01/2025

I'm back at work today. My schedule’s full for next few months: I'm booking new proofreading, copyediting or translation projects from June onwards. I'd especially love to work on more fantasy and sci-fi this year... I also love history, mythology, cosy mystery, intrigue... (but not horror!) 😊 2/2

Overhead view of a 2024/2025 diary on a tabletop. The diary cover is illustrated with flowers and leaves in silvery white.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 06/01/2025

Happy new year, everyone! 💫 Hope you managed to find time to relax and unwind over Christmas. May January ease us all in gently to 2025 – as effortlessly as this seagull soaring over choppy waters (taken on a beautiful, windswept beach in the Scottish Highlands at sunset on Christmas Day) 😊 1/2

View from a wooden bench over tufty grass to a beach, with waves breaking on the shore. A seagull is silhouetted against a sunset-lit sky and clouds above.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 23/12/2024

I’m off for Christmas now – I’ll be back on 6 January. I’ve got some slots available in April, but otherwise I’m booking new projects from June onwards. I wish you all a happy Christmas and new year! See you in 2025! 🎄💫 #OutOfOffice #Freelancer #Proofreading #Copyediting #Translation 2/2

A festive mug of hot chocolate next to a miniature Christmas tree.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 25/08/2024

Finally caught up on some reading, so here are some #RecentReads, all of which I recommend! Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social Death and the Conjuror by @tommeadauthor.bsky.social The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab #BookSky 💙📚

Close-up of a paperback copy of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel standing on top of a pile of books next to a miniature rose bush.

An e-reader showing the cover of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence. The e-reader is standing upright next to two lit candles.

An e-reader showing the cover of Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead. The e-reader is standing upright next to a small artificial shrub, which is partially hidden.

Screenshot from an audiobook player, showing the cover of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 07/03/2024

Celebrating #WorldBookDay by dressing as a reader 😎 And for anyone who hasn’t read Matthew Ward’s excellent, engaging, enthralling, utterly epic Legacy trilogy, you really should! This has definitely earned a place in my top fantasy reads. The striking cover art is by Larry Rostant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💙📚

A lit candle and three paperback books stand in a line, with the books’ spines facing outwards. From left to right, the books, all by Matthew Ward, are ‘Legacy of Ash’ (with an illustration of an orange- and bronze-hued phoenix on a shield), ‘Legacy of Steel’ (with an illustration of a blue- and silver-hued sword-wielding rider on a rearing horse on a shield) and ‘Legacy of Light’ (with an illustration of a golden-hued lion’s head on a shield).

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 04/01/2024

Happy new year! 💫 I’m back at work today, kicking off 2024 with the proofread of a really interesting non-fiction book on Tudor history 😊 My schedule’s all booked up for January; I’m currently available for new projects from February ✍️📚 #FreelanceProofreader #FreelanceTranslator

Overhead view of a 2023/2024 diary with an attached pen on a wooden desk top.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 21/12/2023

When a lovely client surprises you with mouth-watering, festive brownies from Indulge Brownies 🤩😋 Thank you so much, Whitefox – working with you is always a pleasure 😊🙌 #ChristmasSurprise #SweetTreats #MadeMyDay❤️ #GreatClients #FreelanceLife

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 20/12/2023

Well, that’s a wrap on work for 2023! (How time flies…!) Wishing you all an enjoyable festive period and a positive new year! 😊 I’ll be back in the office from 4 January (available for new projects from February) – see you in 2024! ✍️📚 #OutOfOffice #FreelanceProofreader #FreelanceTranslator

A close-up of a white mug, surrounded by red berries and green fir tree leaves. The mug is decorated in green with the words ‘Merry Christmas’ underneath an illustration of two reindeer flanking a Christmas tree.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/10/2023

Another day, another catch-up on a recorded session from #CIEP2023 – this time Claire Beveridge's inspiring talk on 'Business strategy skills for editors who don't identify as "business people"'. Your business, your personality, your situation are unique to you. Be you! 🙌 1/6

A woman stands at a podium, next to a screen which displays a slide that reads 'Business strategy skills for editors who don't identify as "business people". Claire Beveridge.'

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 29/09/2023

Today's catch-up on recorded sessions from #CIEP2023 was @sacalfee.bsky.social's utterly brilliant workshop on 'Writing awesome developmental fiction editing reports' – an open, honest, informative, entertaining and encouraging look at both failure and success in developmental editing. 1/4

Screenshot from a presentation slide that reads 'Writing Awesome Fiction Editorial Reports. Sarah Calfee.' In the top right is a window showing a speaker standing at a podium next to four seated panelists.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 27/09/2023

I won a book! 🥳😃 Huge thanks to @nilsreviewsit.bsky.social and @titanbooks.bsky.social for my copy of ‘Talonsister’ by @sennydreadful.bsky.social – I can’t wait to get stuck in! 🤩🙌 #HereBeGriffins #SFF 💙📚

A hardback copy of ‘Talonsister’ by Jen Williams, laid flat on a wooden surface. The cover art shows a griffin, with autumnal leaves and feathers around the edges.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

It's ok to say 'I don't know.' It doesn't mean we're in the wrong place: it means we're in the right place for learning, for discovery. Instead of thinking 'I have to know...', swap it for 'I get to learn...', 'I'm here to find out.' These are the kind of leaders we need. #CIEP2023 11/12

Grace Marshall stands in front of a presentation slide that reads: 'Oh sh*t... Fear says... Curiosity says...'

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Example: all trains delayed, people start dashing for trains, tempers get frayed. How do people in customer-facing roles deal with it? Meet fight with fight, or meet fight with calmness, listening, connecting? Sometimes it's better to ask a question than to jump in to fix. #CIEP2023 9/12

Grace Marshall stands in front of a presentation slide, on which is written 'Tell me more... What do you mean by that?' followed by the words 'who?' and 'why?' crossed out, followed by the word 'what?'

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

'A catalyst is an irritant. So what if what's irritating you could be a catalyst for change?' [Definite #FitzAndTheFool vibes from this quote!] [Dayna, in online chat, said 'A pebble in your shoe – a struggle you carry with you.' Something to make you change your approach] #CIEP2023 8/12

Grace Marshall stands in front of a presentation slide that reads 'What is this is the work? Irritants = catalysts'.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Now for the closing plenary: 'How to be productive when sh*t hits the fan' with Grace Marshall. Relationship between writer and editor is one of collaboration.🙌 #CIEP2023 1/12

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Once a suggested term's accepted, entry is written for it: term, pronunciation, part of speech, meaning, etymology. Some new words added in new edition: air fryer/air frier, copypasta, culture war, eco-anxiety, herd immunity, long Covid, sportswash. #CIEP2023 9/10

Screenshot from a presentation slide, showing an example of entries in the database of suggested words and subsequent entries that were written for them for including in the dictionary. The term 'hoglet' was suggested with the definition 'a young hedgehog', which becomes the entry for 'hoglet' followed by pronunciation, definition 'a young hedgehog (from hedgehog+let); and 'bullet journal', suggested with definition 'a type of journal composed of bullet points and brief notes', which became the entry for 'bullet journal' with the definition 'a notebook used for recording lists of personal goals, tasks, planned activities, etc. with an index to help the user to retrieve information' – but no pronunciation guide as this is a compound word.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

CollinsDictionary.com first launched 2007. Now has other languages – not just English (also localised): multiple dictionaries, blogs, word games, Learner's Dictionary, using corpora including literature, news, social media. Schools site (age-appropriate lang.) free reg, no ads. #CIEP2023 5/10

Screenshot from a presentation slide, showing the Collins Dictionary website. Text information reads: 'First launched in 2007 with Collins English Dictionary. Now has over 20 million pages. 52 million page views per month globally.' At the top-right is a window showing speaker Maree Airlie at a podium.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

The dictionary's grown since then! Format's changed a little – still contemporary usage first, but entries now more grouped. Dictionary use has changed: physical dictionaries are more of a luxury item now; most users are online. #CIEP2023 4/10

Screenshot from presentation showing the 14th edition of the Collins English Dictionary (2023), with the description from the cover which reads: 'over 732,000 words, meanings and phrases from world English; 9,500 place names and 7,300 biographical entries; an unparalleled resource for word lovers, word gamers and word geeks.'

Screenshot from a presentation showing part of a page from the 14th edition of the Collins English Dictionary, showing entries for forty-five, fortyish, forty-niner, forty-ninth parallel, forty-winks all in a paragraph, but each term highlighted in bold, followed by a paragraph entry for 'forum' including 'Forum Romanum'. This is a more compact view than the original edition of the dictionary.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Mass market appeal. Font used deliberately allows for closer spacing, stretching. The '+' symbol in 'Forum' (Fo+rum) entry shows where line break can be made; dots in 'forty-niner'(fo.rty-nin.er) show where not to break the word over a line (instead to break at hyphen). #CIEP2023 3/10

Screenshot from the first edition of the Collins English Dictionary, showing entries for forty-five, forty-niner, forty-winks, forum, Forum Romanum. The entry for Forum Romanum has a plus symbol between the o and r of Forum; the entry for forty-niner has a dot between the o and r and between the second n and e.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Collins English Dictionary first published 1979 – described on cover as 'contemporary' and 'international', to contrast with Chambers and Oxford, more literary and UK-focused. Alphabetical, individual entries for first time, not nested; contemporary use first not historical. #CIEP2023 2/10

A screenshot from a presentation slide, showing a photo of the first Collins English Dictionary, published 1979, with the description from the cover which reads: 'Collins English Dictionary 1st Edition – over 162,000 references of 'contemporary international English'; 14,000 biographical and geographical articles; pronunciation and etymologies included.' In top-right is a window showing speaker Ian Brookes at a podium.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

In general, rate increases have been small, delicate negotiations, only one publisher put rates up without asking. Able to support yourself freelance? 23% yes, 38% no, 39% depends... so not a great picture overall. Biggest challenges: getting paid on time, getting new work. #CIEP2023 8/11

Bar chart showing the challenges experienced by freelancers in the UK publishing industry, with a scale from 0 to 60. The bars labelled 'getting paid on time', 'getting new work', 'juggling work and life', and 'financially making ends meet' are all over the 50 mark ('getting new work' is closest to 60, 'getting paid on time' is next highest); the bar labelled 'productivity/motivation' is around the 30 mark, and the bar labelled 'dealing with clients' is under the 20 mark.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/09/2023

Overview of industry and its pressures (which also impact freelancers). Brexit has made things more difficult and more costly; greater consolidation in publishing and bookselling (monoliths), greater costs, more and more authors (at varying stages of process); AI concerns. #CIEP2023 4/11

Presentation slide with arrows to show outside pressures squeezing the industry: from left, Brexit; from right, AI; in the middle, are arrows pointing up to show increases in consolidation in publishing & bookselling, in costs, and in authors.

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