Distil words, well put.

Precise · Human · Confidential

Words, well put.

Editing and writing support for researchers, businesses, charities and storytellers who want their words to land.

Get a quote See how I can help →

Good work deserves to be understood.

You've done the hard part: the research, the project, the story. Distil makes sure the writing does it justice.

  • The paper that's strong, but hard to follow.
  • The bid or tender that undersells a brilliant project.
  • The story that's nearly, but not quite, there.

In a world of AI, anyone can fix a typo in seconds. What's harder to find is someone who reads your work properly: who understands what you mean, notices when an argument doesn't hold, and knows what a reviewer, funder or reader is really looking for. That takes human judgement, and it's what Distil is for.

How I can help

Three ways I can help.

Academic and research editing

AI can polish your English. It can't tell you whether your argument will stand up to scrutiny. I can.

Journal papers, grant proposals and research reports, edited by a Chartered Environmentalist so reviewers can follow your argument first time.

Find out more →

Business and charity writing

AI can check your grammar. It can't tell you whether your case works, or whether a client or funder will care. I can.

Bids, tenders, proposals and website copy for small businesses and charities. I'll polish your draft or write it with you, for a fixed fee agreed up front.

Find out more →

Story editing

AI is quick, but it doesn't read the way people do. I do, and I'll help your story land so your readers fall in love with it.

Proofreading, copyediting and critiques for storytellers and writers, whether you're entering a competition or putting together a collection.

Find out more →

Something else in mind? If your project doesn't fit neatly into one of these, tell me about it anyway. If I'm the right person for it, I'll say so, and if I'm not, I'll tell you that too.

Get in touch →

How it works

Simple from the first email.

  1. 01

    Tell me about it

    Send a few lines about your document, who it's for and your deadline.

  2. 02

    Get a fixed quote

    Within two working days: a suggested approach, a timescale and a price. No obligation.

  3. 03

    I edit, you decide

    Your edit comes back with tracked changes and a short note. Accept what you like; it's always your work.

What clients say

In their words.

“Distil supports me with reviewing, editing and perfecting my bids, estimates and technical writing. Andrew has an eye for detail and knows how to communicate complex ideas for anyone to understand.”
Director, BM Consult Ltd Business client
“I really appreciate and value the expertise offered by Distil. This expertise brings my ideas on to the page. As a writer I find Andrew’s skills as a proofreader, grammatist, editor and wordsmith invaluable.”
Michael Kerins International Storyteller and Author · Recipient, W E Upjohn Gold Medal Humanitarian Award

distil

verb · British English

To take something complex and draw out what really matters.

Behind Distil

Twenty years of making the complex clear.

I'm Andrew, the editor behind Distil. I'm a Chartered Environmentalist with more than 20 years' experience writing, editing and reviewing technical reports for regulators, decision-makers and the public. That work has meant turning dense science into clear, concise writing people can act on.

Distil brings the same skill to researchers, businesses and charities, and a lifelong love of words to storytellers.

Pricing

Clear prices, agreed up front.

Every job has a fixed quote before I start. For charities, I never charge commission or seek a percentage of any grant.

Research

Language edit

from £27.50 per 1,000 words

Also: proofreading, substantive editing and grant proposal reviews.

Business and charity

Bid or tender review

from £150 per bid

Also: bid and tender writing, business editing and a reusable bid-ready pack.

Storytellers

Copyedit

from £20 per 1,000 words

Also: proofreading, story critiques and collection edits.

It's about more than a spell-check.

Human, expert editing

Every job is done by a qualified professional, never left to an automated tool.

Fixed prices

You'll know the cost before I start, with no surprises.

Confidential

I never share your work or name you as a client without permission.

Professional standards

A member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and fully insured.

Ready to make it read well?

Send a few lines about what you're working on and your deadline. I'll reply within two working days with a suggested approach, timescale and fixed quote.

Email me Message on WhatsApp

Or use the form. Everything you send is kept confidential.

Request a quote