Kayla Greer

I am a First Class Honours graduate in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh, combining strong academic achievement with practical professional experience in editorial and educational settings. My background demonstrates ability to engage with complex texts across genres and periods, apply sophisticated analytical skills to real-world problems, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Academic Foundation and Subject Expertise

My undergraduate degree provided comprehensive training in English literature across multiple genres, periods, and traditions, with particular specialisation in children's literature, Scottish literature, and gothic fiction. Complementary study of classical literature and ancient history, focusing on ancient Greek and Roman drama, poetry, and prose, developed deeper understanding of foundational literary traditions and their influence on later literary movements. This breadth of knowledge enables sophisticated engagement with texts across historical periods and cultural contexts, understanding how literary works reflect and respond to their historical moment.

My academic training emphasised critical analysis, close reading, contextual interpretation, and clear written expression. I developed ability to construct persuasive arguments about texts, support claims with evidence, and engage with competing interpretations. These skills transfer directly to professional contexts requiring analytical thinking, communication, and engagement with complex information.

Professional Experience: Editorial Work

Over the past year, I have worked as a freelance editor supporting indie self-publishing authors. This role has developed practical expertise across multiple editorial functions. I have conducted developmental editing, providing comprehensive feedback on narrative structure, character development, plot coherence, pacing, and overall story arc. I have performed line editing to improve sentence-level clarity, flow, word choice, and readability. I have completed detailed copy editing and proofreading to ensure publication-ready manuscripts free from grammatical, stylistic, and typographical errors. I have applied consistent style guides and formatting standards across multiple projects.

This work has cultivated ability to identify problems at various levels of text, articulate issues clearly, and suggest specific improvements. It has developed my capacity to adapt my approach to different authors, writing styles, genres, and editorial needs. I have strengthened project management skills, coordinating multiple projects simultaneously, tracking revision rounds, managing author expectations, and meeting deadlines. I have developed professional communication skills, explaining editorial decisions clearly, providing constructive feedback sensitively, and maintaining productive client relationships.

Working independently as a freelancer has reinforced self-motivation, reliability, and professional standards. The role has deepened my understanding of publishing industry standards, self-publishing platforms and requirements, and the practical aspects of bringing books to market.

Professional Experience: Education and Tutoring

I have provided online English tutoring to 18 high school students, supporting learners across Scottish National Qualifications (National 5, Higher) and English GCSE specifications. This experience has developed strong teaching, mentoring, and assessment skills. I have learned to diagnose individual learning needs and adapt teaching approaches accordingly, recognising that different students benefit from different explanations, examples, and resources. I have developed ability to break down complex concepts into understandable segments, using scaffolding and concrete examples to support learning.

I have taught literary analysis, essay composition, creative writing, and exam technique. I have coached students on time management, essay structure, and answering exam questions effectively. I have evaluated student work against assessment criteria and provided detailed, constructive feedback identifying strengths and areas for improvement. I have worked with students across ability levels, from struggling learners requiring additional support to high-achieving students seeking to refine their skills.

This work has strengthened my understanding of educational assessment standards, curriculum requirements across different exam boards, and student development. It has developed my ability to communicate clearly with young people, build rapport, create supportive learning environments, and motivate students. I have cultivated patience, empathy, and ability to remain encouraging when working with anxious or struggling learners. The experience has reinforced organisational skills in managing student schedules, tracking progress, and maintaining detailed records.

Transferable Skills and Capabilities

Across both professional roles, I have developed strong communication skills, demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals, attention to detail, project management capability, and commitment to quality. I am organised, reliable, and able to manage multiple commitments effectively. I work well independently but also collaborate constructively with others.

My analytical skills, developed through academic training and practical application, enable me to approach complex problems thoughtfully, identify underlying issues, and propose evidence-based solutions. My experience in education and client communication has strengthened ability to explain ideas clearly, anticipate questions, and adapt communication to audience needs.

I am comfortable with digital tools and platforms, including document collaboration software, online learning environments, and communication technology. I am detail-oriented and take pride in thorough, high-quality work.

Professional Direction and Motivation

I am seeking opportunities to apply my strong foundation in language, literature, and communication within a professional context where I can contribute meaningfully to organisational goals. My background positions me well for roles in publishing, education, content creation, communications, and related fields where deep subject knowledge, analytical ability, and strong written communication are valued.

I am motivated by work involving language, literature, ideas, and knowledge. I am eager to continue developing my professional skills, take on new challenges, and contribute to meaningful work. I am particularly interested in roles that leverage my editorial experience, subject expertise, teaching capability, or combination thereof, and am committed to bringing professionalism, reliability, and genuine engagement to any position.

• Reading
• Writing
• Chess
• Learning New Languages