I’m Melissa Morris, a freelance journalist, copywriter, sub-editor, proofreader, editorial designer and editorial manager with 25+ years of experience in marketing, media and publishing. I’m based in Cornwall in the UK, but I work remotely with small and large businesses, agencies, publishers and private clients all over the world.
How can I help?
Journalism and copywriting
Seek out stories. Invest in interviews. Protect privacy. Discover the difference. Nail a narrative. Tease out taglines. Style slogans. Tailor tone. Script screen time. Amplify advertising. Articulate aims. Make messaging matter. Add creativity to comms. Enhance engagement. Bring words to your world!
Sub editing and proofreading
Wheedle out waffle. Jazz up jargon. Guide grammar. Polish punctuation. Scrub up spellings. Track down typos. Question clichés. Keep tabs on tenses. Flip a phrase. Scrutinise sources. Delve into data. Clarify the complex. Check for consistency. Honour house style. Add magic to mundanity. Bring out your best!
Editorial design
Prep pages. Pick pics. Integrate brand identity. Finesse photography. Improve imagery. Curate content. Style spreads. Craft copy. Design details. Liven up layouts. Amend artwork. Integrate interactivity. Tidy up typography. Flex and fit. Re-jig and refresh. Prepare for print. Bring your pages to life!
Editorial management
Serve up a style guide. Plan a publication. Streamline a schedule. Originate ideas. Outline opportunities. Maximise media. Organise editorial. Safeguard standards. Commission contributors. Collaborate with colleagues. Assist advertisers. Partner with printers. Deliver on the dot. Bring your publication to print!
What tech do I use?
I work with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat and also use WordPress, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Teams, Trello, Toggl and Dropbox.
Who have I worked with?
My clients have ranged from award-winning communications agencies, international organisations, government bodies and household names to local businesses and charities.
My work has featured on Discovery, Five and Argos TV, and in Country Life, the Financial Times’ How to Spend It supplement, Homebuilding & Renovating, Altitudes, Worcestershire Life, Go Flying, Pilot, Aeroplane, RAF Magazine, Women & Golf, Golf Monthly, Total Golf, The Birmingham Post, Food Lifestyle, Army Cadets, Trencherman’s Guide, Indy Coffee Guide series and Veterinary Nursing Journal (VNJ), as well as in prestigious coffee-table publications within campaigns on behalf of royal and military institutions and luxury brands.
What do clients say?
“Melissa is an absolute pleasure to work with. She always makes sure she fully grasps a project. Her features are always within deadline, well written, informative and engaging – she really captures the essence of each brand and writes in line with the overall message of each publication. She is always happy to go that extra mile when I spring a feature on her! I have no hesitations whatsoever about commissioning her.”
Gemma, commissioning editor, publisher
“Melissa always looks to apply uniqueness and add more. She is creative, committed and thorough in her research and storyline development. Her reliability, adherence to deadlines and copywriting accuracy are all very good. She is dependable and has a high regard to client confidentiality. She resolves any amendments readily and efficiently. She has a positive and professional demeanour and is good to work with.”
Jerry, director, brand portfolio company
“Melissa is an excellent copywriter, who has time and again delivered tailor-made editorials for both our corporate and consumer audiences. She has been a great asset to us, contributing beyond her call of duty. Her attitude and professionalism are commendable and, above all else, she is a thoroughly nice person and a delight to work with. I can highly recommend her services to any organisation.”
Christine, head of marketing and PR, private jet company
“Melissa interpreted our brief well. She was reliable, adhered to deadlines and provided accurate copy. I liked her writing style, which was well matched to the described audience, and I found her easy to relate to, with a professional disposition and a friendly manner; a natural communicator, she listened well and quickly connected with our requirements. We are more than pleased with the results and will use Melissa again. I’m happy to recommend her to others.”
Sian, communications manager, children’s charity
“We work very regularly with Melissa. She covered a maternity leave contract for us and was so good we continued our relationship so she’s now a key part of our editorial team. She sub edits a regular clinical journal for us, is a contributing writer on our food magazine and a bimonthly youth charity magazine and yearbook, writes for our dining and coffee guides and crafts blog posts, newsletters and other copy for clients in our portfolio. Melissa dedicates herself to getting things right, is hot on the detail – which makes her a great proofreader – and is a safe pair of hands. She’s also a very nice woman and easy to work with!”
Jo, editorial director, publishing and marketing agency
What are the next steps?
If you’d like to see examples of my design and editorial work, or if you’re ready to chat about how I could help you, please get in touch via email in the first instance at info@writeonthecoast.com. Thank you!