Proofreading and Editing Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure that you can trust the person you're working with. Not just that they're good at their job, or that they're going to be respectful of you and your work. But when you trust your writing to a proofreader, you're putting your hard work in their hands. Ask questions, ask for samples of their work if you like, ask for references. You need to know that you're going to be pleased, not just with the end result, but with the experience too.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I think what makes me special is that I really care about my clients. Everyone seeks out an editor for different reasons; some want to learn to be better writers, others are tired of looking at their own words and need a new set of eyes, and some won't feel that their document is finished until a professional has edited it for them. And I work with my clients to make sure they get what they need from me, whether it's in-depth communication about the kinds of things I'm changing, or whether it's quick turnaround of the highest possible quality, or something else entirely. I'm not working with people because I like to write; I'm doing it because I like helping people with their writing, in the ways they need me.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. No matter how great your ideas are, if you can't explain them well, no one will care. And I love helping people to explain themselves in the best possible way. Novels can be more intriguing, academic papers can be clearer, and marketing materials can be more compelling--if they're well written. My favorite thing about editing work is knowing that someone looks and sounds better--like the best possible version of themselves--because I was able to help them.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. The most common questions I get involve specific content--do I know about their content area, can I correct manuscripts that deal with this topic, will I be offended or bothered by the subject matter. And no, I'm not an expert on every topic area. Sometimes I will ask writers to clarify something or I will do my own research to ensure that a spelling is correct or that a citation meets appropriate standards. I will not be offended by any content, so long as it is not actually illegal. I have edited documents, fiction and non-fiction, that have covered a wide variety of content areas, and I am not in the business of judging the quality of the content, but of improving the quality of the writing itself.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I always enjoy working with writers, and it's hard to choose a specific story. Mostly I love knowing that someone feels that they are expressing themselves better because I was here. I have worked with one writer over time, through many articles, and seen him grow more confident and comfortable with his writing, thanks to his ability to ask questions and my ability to answer them. Our professional relationship is a source of great pride to me. I have worked with a novelist who clearly spent a great deal of time on her plot and characters, creating a truly compelling story, proofreading her manuscript to make that story really shine. She has since submitted her novel to writing contests and is working with much more confidence, knowing that her wonderful story is now able to shine. And I have worked with the head of an organization working to expand educational opportunities in Africa. English is not his first language, but I was able to take his ideas and format them in a way that makes his mission clear and his fundraising easier.

There are many more wonderful stories of the chances I've had to help people express themselves. And each of them is my favorite.