Melanie Thompson
technical communications

Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

T: 01296 668924
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Rainbow image ©2004 Steve Allen/Science Photo Library
 


I accept commissions for: promotional articles; chapters or whole books; professional manuals and guides; and corporate communications such as press releases and annual reports. Here are a few examples:

• ConstructionSkills commissioned me to adapt the CIP's detailed technical publication, Construction Environmental Manual, to create a handy manual for use on-site by construction managers. The book, Site Sustainability Simplified, was published in February 2009.
• I have been a regular contributor to Architectural Technology, the house magazine of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).
• BRE asked me to write a 1500-word promotional article aimed at architects and designers, to outline the various advantages of incorporating renewable energy technologies in buildings. This article was based on background knowledge plus telephone interviews with a selection of manufacturers and end-users.
• I wrote several chapters for the CBI’s book Making energy work, including “Putting energy on the business agenda” – a basic introduction to energy management. Available at http://www.tso.co.uk/cbi (ISBN: 1901844323).
• I worked with the communications team at Hertfordshire County Council’s Environment Department, to turn their various written policies and objectives into a user-friendly guide to the Department’s work.


I accept commissions for re-writing technical and policy documents, and books. Examples:

• I have completed several projects for the British Council for Offices (BCO), including their flagship publication Guide to Specification (2009), the BCO Security Guide and the BCO Guide to Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE).
• RIBA Publishing commissioned me to assist Prof. Brian Edwards with the thorough re-writing of his Rough Guide to Sustainability, for the 3rd Edition, published in January 2010
• RICS Books asked me to provide additional support to one of their well-known website contributors who needed help compiling a book. My role was to offer guidance on the overall structure of the book, re-write passages where necessary, and provide a full copy-editing service. Stuart Hill's book, Practical Building Repairs: Small Works Solutions for Surveyors and Builders, was published in July 2008.
• I was commissioned to develop a new guide from two well-known energy management guides published by the Carbon Trust. The resulting document, A strategic guide to energy and environmental management (GPG 376), can be viewed at www.carbon-trust.org.uk.


• Once a fortnight I write E-news from the RFS – a newsletter for members of the Royal Forestry Society. The RFS supplies content in the form of memos, press releases, news clippings and job vacancies, and I put them all together in one easy-to-read text message. This work involves fact checking and web-based research.
• In May 2004 I launched Get Sust!, an e-mail newsletter for undergraduates, post-grads and professionals with an interest in sustainability and the built environment. Learn more, or subscribe to this FREE newsletter at the Get Sust! website.


I welcome enquiries from research organisations, professional bodies, publishers and businesses who need help with their publications. Recent clients include:

• RFS website – regular maintenance of the RFS website; a large and detailed forestry knowledge base
• Green Futures magazine (published by Forum for the Future) – proofreading
• International Metalworkers' Federation – copy-editing and writing/re-writing documents for the IMF's 32nd World Congress, May 2009
• Stonham Housing Association – writing the Association’s maintenance manual
• Furniture Reuse Network – rewriting/editing technical manual
• Kotuku – writing project report and PR support
• RIBA Enterprises – copy editing and proofreading
• Desq – copy-editing on-line learning materials
• Open University – on-screen editing of course materials
• Construction Best Practice programme – writing case studies
• Housing Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme – PR support, press releases and journal articles.

16 December 2010:
Get Sust! Issue No. 56 available online from
16 December.

Main sponsors 2010:
CIBSE Patrons and CIOB.

Other news

June 2010:
Read Geoff Wilkinson’s review of Rough Guide to Sustainability 3rd Edition at RIBABookshops.com

May 2010:
RFS website – latest updates: Ticks and Lyme Disease factsheet

April 2010:
BCO publication: Towards zero carbon offices

March 2010:
BCO publication: 24 degrees study: comfort, productivity and energy consumption – case study

January 2010:
Out now: Rough Guide to Sustainability 3rd Edition by Brian Edwards, published by RIBA

October 2009:
Out now: A Surveyor's Guide to the RICS HomeBuyer Service by Phil Parnham, published to coincide with the introduction of the new RICS HomeBuyer Report (HBR), which came into force on 1 January 2010

 
 
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