Ross Longbottom Email & Phone Number

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Editing, researching and writing.

My work involves editing the stories of local reporters and stories from the wire services. They are edited for clarity, spelling, style, background, among other things, to make the story as readable and as entertaining and informative as possible for local readers. Facts are checked, writing is improved, simplified and sometimes as required by space, a story may be cut or lengthened. Then headlines are written that entice and entertain, but are fully accurate, and cutlines are provided to explain the story and the picture by adding summary information. I work with reporters if need be to improve copy, talking to them in person or by telephone; sometimes by email, but live conversation is best. My job, bottom line, is to make a story better. Get rid of the jargon, make it clear what it means to local people, as well as the broader readership.