Author Profile: Hugh D. Read

Hugh D. Read has been involved in the field of communications as a teacher, writer, and editor since 1976. After completing a BA and PDAD at the University of Alberta, he worked with Edmonton Public Schools for nine years, including five years as a teacher and administrator in English as a Second Language programs for adults.

In 1985, Hugh joined the faculty at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology to teach technical writing courses in a number of programs. In 2000, he transferred from the English Department to NAIT's School of Business, where he currently teaches daytime (and occasionally evening and weekend) courses in business communications.

Hugh's first textbook, PLAIN ENGLISH: A Guide to Standard Usage and Clear Writing (written with co-author C. Edward Collins) was published by Prentice-Hall Canada in 1989. This was followed in 1991 by ENGLISH AT WORK: Communicating in Business and Industry (also with C.E. Collins) and then by his first solo work, LOOK IT UP: An Alphabetical Reference for Writers, published in 1993.

In 1998, Hugh's fourth book, CLEAR AND CONCISE: Plain English for the Workplace, was published by Westbridge. A second edition of this title came out in 2000, and the modular version, CLEAR & CONCISE: Communication Skills made its first appearance in 2001. This version is now in its fourth edition.

As a senior member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), Hugh has long been active in this international association of writers, editors, publishers, and illustrators, both as a participant and as a presenter at many training sessions and conferences. He has served as chair of the Edmonton STC group and as an international competition judge. Two of his books have earned STC Awards of Excellence in publication competitions.

Besides writing and teaching, Hugh does freelance editing and consulting. His other interests include music (guitar), foreign travel, martial arts (Aikido), yoga, carpentry, and working with computers.