Martin Cloake

As VSP embarked on releasing their biggest autumn list of books since the company was formed, I was asked to be production editor across the series of Pocket Books. The role involved reading and editing raw copy, liaising with authors and researching pictures in order to provide VSP's designer with material. I then had to check laid out pages, fit copy, write captions and give a final read before the books were sent to the printers. I was also author of one of the books in the series, details of which can be found on the Books section of this site.

Book of Football Records cover

I also helped with the editing and preparation of a number of other books for VSP's autumn list. On The Vision Book of Football Records 2010 I read original copy, researched images, and helped fit copy to designed pages. I also had to keep abreast of developments in the game to ensure all entries were as up-to-date as possible by the time the book went to print. I read the original manuscript for Big Chiv! My Goals in Life and liaised with Martin Chivers and writer Paolo Hewitt on questions of clarity and continuity, as well as helping Paolo with his research into the background to Martin's life and the events he described. I did similar jobs with the manuscripts for Glory Glory... Man Utd in the '90s, liaising with author Andy Mitten, and Happy Birthday Dear Celtic, liaising with author Douglas Beattie. On all these books I assisted with picture research, and was responsible for taking in the copy editor's marks for final proofs.

Finally, I read the manuscript containing four chapters updating Alex Fynn and Kevin Whitcher's best-selling book Arsènal, The Making of a Modern Superclub.

Opus page: Julie Welch film appreciation

Opus page: Julie Welch film appreciation pictures

I acted as Editorial Consultant for Kraken when the company was contracted to produce the Opus for the club's 125th anniversary. Working with the in-house production and editorial team, I advised on flatplanning and chapter selection. I formed part of a panel, alongside journalists Julie Welch, Mat Snow and Matt Allen, which drew up the list of 51 Greatest Post-War players, and wrote over 25,000 words of features for the final Opus.

This work included interviews with club legends Martin Chivers and Martin Peters, and We Are Tottenham, a 7,000-word essay on the history of supporter culture at the club. I also contributed a series of short pen-profiles with fans - including actress Patsy Kensit, DJ Norman Jay and NBA superstar Steve Nash, interviewed writer and fan Hunter Davies and wrote an appreciation of Julie Welch's classic TV film Those Glory Glory Days.

Throughout the project I advised on editorial decision-making and picture selection, and set up contacts with a number of collectors and fans who could make useful contributions. I also helped recruit the Opus's Art Editor.

I run a successful one-day course on 'How to pitch and market a book' for leading journalism website journalism.co.uk/ I developed the course in conjunction with the site after pitching the concept to them. The course offers practical advice in how to construct a book pitch, and in how authors can market their published work. Delegates are encouraged to bring their own ideas to discuss and crtique in the group environment. Everyone who attends receives a full set of notes with references and examples, plus the option to get one further critique of any subsequent pitch, revised or original, from me as the tutor.

The course can be booked at journalism.co.uk's training page.

Comments from delegates:
"Thoroughly absorbing and informative."
"Lots of useful ideas to take on board for the pitching aspect."
"Thought-provoking, interesting – and inspiring!"
"I liked Martin's easygoing presentation style."

Martin and Erica's Journey is an educational pamphlet aimed at children aged nine years old and upwards and intended for use in history lessons, literary hours and citizenship sessions. The text is a first person account by Holocaust survivor Dr Martin Stern of his experiences as a child arrested by the Nazis. I was asked to construct a clear narrative in age-appropriate language from notes which Dr Stern had drawn up, and worked closely with colleagues from the NUT and HET to ensure the quality of the material as a teaching tool. I also helped draw up a list of appropriate images to illustrate the pamphlet.

The subject matter and target audience meant this was an extremely complex project that required great sensitivity. I was very proud to be thanked for my contribution by Dr Stern, HET Chief Executive Karen Pollock, and the NUT's Principal Race Relations Officer Samidha Garg.

I worked with the NUT communications department and new Head of Communications to script a short video for use on the union's website and as a viral marketing campaign. The challenge was to get a complex offer across to potential young members accurately and effectively.

For its 75th Anniversary, the Marx Library wanted to produce something which celebrated its history while also highlighting the role it seeks to play in the present and future. With the help of librarian John Callow I wrote sections describing the library's various collections and the resources it has to offer. I worked closely with designer Phil Katz, writing copy to fit the design template and proofreading and correcting the final document.

Spread from Printers' Collection brochure

The print section of the union UNITE has placed the archives of Britain's print unions and guilds with the Marx Library, with a permanent exhibition and resource open to the public from March 2009. I proofread the final manuscript. I also compiled a list of print and print-related courses at UK educational institutions for the Collection to contact s part of its ongoing efforts to provide a living resource for knowledge and development of the printing trades.

Working with Steve Perryman and the 81 squad players' committee, I planned, wrote and commissioned material for this brochure, alongside my colleague and co-editor Adam Powley. I wrote a history of the FA Cup campaign and interviewed the team's manager, Keith Burkinshaw, and the pioneering sports psychologist John Syer. Contributions also came from John Motson, Harry Harris, Steve Stammers, Joel Miller and Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy. I also edited and proofread the publication to final pass and liaised with the printers.

Writing and editorial services