About Us

Patricia Mansfield-Devine

Freelance writer, journalist and blogger

I have worked in publishing since 1985 as an editor, reporter, news editor, features editor, assistant editor and production editor on various titles. I now concentrate on feature writing, web editing and blogging.

I'm the author of two books, Living in France, commissioned and published by Harriman House, and Make Do & Cook, published by WebVivant Press.

I run two blogs: Cosmetopica covers the cosmetics and fragrance industries, and includes news, reviews, interviews and profiles. And SecondCherry is a lifestyle blog aimed at mature women who don't want to mature.

Feature writing

I am an experienced freelance feature writer covering a broad range of subjects, though my specialist areas include home-interest sectors such as interiors, gardening and cookery, along with property, lifestyle, travel and health. I have a particular focus on writing about France for a UK readership, covering in-depth articles on property purchase, case studies, legal & tax issues, news, currency issues and book reviews.

I am the France-based correspondent for the beauty and cosmetics trade publication Cosmetic News Weekly. And I have contributed many features to English-language newspapers in France.

I have written extensively for consumer press titles such as France magazine, Everything France, Connexion, Normandy Advertiser, Period House and Period Living.

Thanks to my background in trade publishing, I am able to write for both a general consumer readership or a more specialist readership.

Web Editing

I was the editor of the popular website FrenchEntrée for two years (Oct 2004-Sept 2006). I commissioned, wrote and edited articles on an extremely wide range of subject areas.

I also edited FirstRungNow.com, a site aimed at first-time property buyers in the UK, have edited copy on BT's website and was part of the launch team for the Marie Stopes International website. And I have produced and/or edited copy for a number of other sites, with a particular focus on the healthcare sector.

I am familiar with content management systems and use my training as a production editor to ensure high levels of accuracy, readability and consistency.

Steve Mansfield-Devine

Freelance writer, journalist & photographer

Editor: Network Security : Computer Fraud & Security

I have worked as a journalist and photographer for my entire career, starting in 1981 - most of that time as a freelance. I've contributed high-quality copy and images for both general and specialised publications. With an insatiable curiosity, I'm always happy to tackle new subjects and new challenges.

Journalism

Much of my current journalism centres around technology and security. I edit the monthly journals Network Security and Computer Fraud & Security published by Elsevier. And I'm a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

As a writer, I've contributed features on subjects ranging from gambling in Las Vegas to life in the US Marine Corps, from teleworking to fly-by-wire. My work has appeared in The Times, the Independent, Business Traveller, FHM, International Management, Pilot and a long list of IT publications.

Since starting in journalism, I have written news, features, reviews, interviews and have worked as an editor, features editor, reporter, news editor and sub. All told, I have worked on or contributed to over 150 publications — everything from national dailies, to weeklies for the IT industry, consumer magazines and in-house publications. I have also worked on several magazine launches.

Corporate Publishing & Copywriting

I have more than two decades' experience of applying my writing, subbing and editorial management skills to corporate publications. This has included fulfilling the role of managing editor (on a freelance basis) for SPY Design & Publishing, a London-based graphic design and publishing agency.

I have worked on projects ranging from eight-page newsletters through to a 64-page, pan-European magazine published in three languages, plus website launches. I handle all editorial processes on these projects, including editorial strategy, commissioning, maintaining networks of contributors, writing, subbing and page production.

I can also provide first-class copywriting services for case studies, marketing literature, white papers, mailshots and other deliverables. I have particular skills in addressing the strategic business issues around IT and technology and in tackling complex technical subjects in a clear and concise way.

Past clients have included several divisions of IBM, including vertical-market businesses, Adobe, Lockheed Martin UK, Computacenter, the DTI, General Dynamics UK, EDS, TietoEnator, Atos Origin, a&o, Cognos, Informix, SAS Institute and others.

Photography

I graduated with a degree in fine-art photography, before moving into journalism (originally on photography magazines). I've produced commissioned photography for both features and books. I cover all kinds of editorial photography with strong portfolios in lifestyle, travel, landscape and interiors. I often provide the photographs to illustrate my features and those written by Trish. My stock photographs are carried by the Alamy agency and are also available directly from me.

I am the author/photographer of three aviation photo books.

For more information, see my online portfolio.