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Woodlands Writing - George McNamara

Technical Writing and Editing

My Technical Writing and Editing experience is wide, and I can work with confidence in any field. Here I have organised my publications by topic:-

Life Sciences The Cultivated Plants of the Tropics and Subtropics, by Prof. Sigmund Rehm and Dr Gustav Espig. This was a translation from German of a 400 page treatise, with botanical and cultivation information of all the major food and commercial plants in the tropical and subtropical regions.

Colossoma - the Salmon of the Amazon. This species was very difficult to rear commercially. Eventually a team of Hungarian scientists worked out how to do it, and then wrote this book in English. I did the few text corrections needed.

Appropriate Technology Hot Water from the Sun. The original document was written as a series of experiments using an 'artificial sun' for testing different designs of solar panels using materials locally and cheaply available in developing countries. I re-organised the raw data so that useful information would be accessible to technicians in the developing countries, e.g. coconut fibre may be 2% less efficient as an insulator than fibre glass for the back of a solar panel, but this may be very cheap, and so make good economics. (the original text was in English)

Micro-Hydro Power Newsletter. This was established by a German charity to link groups around the world working in this field (e.g. in Tibet, the Andes, Kenya) and to encourage technical collaboration directly between these groups rather than through European consultants. I did text corrections for several issues, especially where foreigners were attempting to write in English

Rainwater Collection Systems. This is a CD-ROM for Margraf Publishing, where I have done text correction and editing of the text for an audio-visual slide show and numerous introductory articles and case studies by a variety of authors, all on rainwater collection systems. The CD also includes the Conference Papers from the 9th and 10th International Conferences on Rainwater Catchment Systems

Hydraulic Engineering Schmitter Catalogue. Schmitter are a major manufacturer of hydraulic components for use in industry and on vehicles fitted with cranes, tippers and rams. I have translated their catalogue from German to English, as part of their ongoing expansion into the international market.

Industrial Engineering. At Henry Butcher International, I worked as a project manager for a firm of industrial auctioneers and valuers for 7 years. My writing here included auction catalogues, flysheets and advertising copy - the catalogue descriptions must be especially clear and unambiguous. I specialised in computer, video, audio and electronic equipment, and built up a good network of contacts in these fields with whom I could share technical and market information.

Materials Science. I originally trained as a Metallurgist, and I gained the qualifications of MIM, CEng. Though my field of competence is the production of steel wire for bolt and screw making, I can give an authoritative opinion on any materials science issue, given enough time, resources and money to investigate it fully.
I began my career at GKN (South Wales) Ltd., Cardiff, working as a research and development metallurgist. A large amount of major new plant was commissioned during my time there, including high-speed rolling mill and continuous cast steel-making plant. Extensive trials were done on these new materials, and written and verbal reports were produced, written for the plant managers and senior quality staff. Many other reports on 'routine' process improvements were also written.

There is also a Full List of my publications organised by publisher.

For more information, please contact me at george@woodlands-web.com or by phone on (++44)(0)1372-749803