As an editor

Working with Colin is probably one of the most detrimental things to have happened to me professionally. In a few short years, I seem to have forgotten how to fact-check, edit and proofread my pieces on account of not having to do any of these ever, thanks to Colin. I must confess to having grown more than a little lax. Though not physically present in our office, Colin was, without dispute, an integral part of the editorial team. We are a relatively busy publishing house with over six titles in English – some monthly, others bi-monthly and one annual – across news, business, fashion, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, etc. Some of them followed British English and the AFP style sheet, while others were American. Sometimes we’d have two different magazines in production at the same time. Colin was easily able to juggle different style sheets during simultaneous production of magazines and didn’t need much of a runway. We’d started several magazines while I worked there and Colin was with us from the start, always responsive to our needs, getting back to us with his edits within just a few hours during those times when we were running late. During my years at Oryx Publishing, we have had several freelancers come and go but Colin has been a constant. The entire editorial team was lucky to have his support.

Ayswarya Murtry
Deputy Editor
Oryx Publishing
Doha, Qatar

I worked with Colin in 2021 during the editing stage of my book Mastering Chinese Business Culture—Becoming a China Expert. My French-language editor recommended him for the English version, and what a recommendation it turned out to be. Colin embodied all of the qualities I needed: professionalism, flexibility, patience, efficiency, and high-quality editing. Not to mention conducting a marathon nine-hour WhatsApp discussion to address my own interventions and preferences. He is my go-to copy editor!

Qingshun Zou
Founder and Senior Adviser
Sino Swiss Business Alliance Development
Geneva, Switzerland

Colin worked for Crown Publications as an independent editor and proofreader between November 2014 and May 2015 on three important publications Crown had been commissioned to publish on behalf of the South African electricity public utility, ESKOM. Throughout his engagement, Colin demonstrated a meticulous attention to detail. He was able to recognize and evaluate good writing and to make the most of sub-optimal writing, ultimately making substantial improvements to texts written by several different authors, all of whom were pleased with his improvements. He worked quickly, effectively and to deadline and the authors with whom he worked all appreciated his professionalism and his commitment. I cannot recommend Colin highly enough.

Karen Grant
Publisher
Crown Publications
Johannesburg, South Africa

As a translator

J’ai confié à Colin Smith, pendant plusieurs années, la traduction et la relecture de magazines dans les domaines de l’hôtellerie de luxe et de la banque privée. La qualité de son travail a été très appréciée par cette clientèle exigeante. Je tiens quant à moi à relever son sérieux, sa disponibilité et sa flexibilité. Colin a également l’habitude de justifier certains choix de traduction en mode «track changes», témoignant d’une attitude particulièrement prévenante vis-à-vis de ses clients. Je recommande vivement ses prestations de traduction et de relecture!

Elodie Maître-Arnaud
Ancienne directrice éditoriale
Inédit Publications SA
Lausanne, Suisse

Depuis plusieurs années, Colin réalise l’ensemble des traductions des supports de communication de Jutheau Husson. Ses qualités professionnelles et personnelles nous garantissent des prestations de grande valeur, délivrées dans les délais annoncés, le tout enrobé de délicatesse et de gentillesse. Colin définit parfaitement la citation « l’amour du travail bien fait ».

Isabelle Cadoret
Responsable marketing et communications
Jutheau Husson
Monaco