WORK WITH ME

I’ve worked one-on-one with dozens of academic authors on preparing their writing for submission or publication. I enjoy freelance editing projects and am available to work with you on pieces under 40,000 words (e.g., a chapter, article, or section of a longer work in progress). 

As an editor, I take the approach of a curious general reader with a holistic view of the writer’s goals and deadlines. This approach is effective for asking questions that illuminate next steps for writers in developing, clarifying, and articulating their ideas.

I use an hourly rate so that I do not have to strictly differentiate between the different types of editing. Instead, I use the author’s goals as my guide; the more polished the piece, the less time it takes, and the more developmental editing needed, the longer it takes. This tends to be economical for clients as well, with fees equivalent to 3 to 5 cents per word.

  • Initial consultation and quote for services (on Zoom or over email, if preferred)

  • Tracked changes for edits and line comments in Word

  • Global comments and recommendations via email

  • Free review of text changed in response to suggested edits or comments

What you’ll get

  • Documents around 40,000 words or less: these can be final drafts, works-in-progress, or portions of longer projects (chapter, bibliography, etc.)

  • Styles: Chicago, MLA, APA, Bluebook, AMA, AP

  • Content expertise in humanities and social sciences; extensive experience with authors working in English as a foreign language; familiarity with legal scholarship, grants, institutional communications and press releases

What I Edit

Types of Editing

  • Developmental Editing

    Structure and content. If you are working on articulating your argument and need a reader to respond to the order and presentation of ideas. Global comments and paragraph or line by line suggestions, with a few tracked changes.

  • Line editing

    Line editing

    For clarity and flow. If you have a solid version and want it read for understanding in order to catch awkward phrases and improve transitions. Suggested changes tracked in text, combined with questions, observations, and suggestions in comments.

  • Copy Editing

    For grammar and style consistency. If the content and phrasing is finally locked down, and you want to catch the run-on sentences, comma splices, and confirm the standards of a specific style guide for your field. Grammatical and formatting changes tracked in text.

  • Proofreading

    Proofreading

    For typos and errors in text or formatting. If you have a polished piece and want a careful, final read to make sure your m- and n-dashes are correct, spacing and capitalization are consistent, and pesky typos are caught. Small changes tracked in text.

FAQs

  • I’ve been freelance editing for 10 years, working frequently with academics working in English as a foreign language. I was a writing consultant at the UCLA Graduate Writing Center working with graduate level academics in all fields for 5 years, and have taught a dozen writing courses at UCLA and Occidental College. I also have professional experience in institutional writing for non-profits, including fundraising and reports.

  • Many of my clients are working to publish research in the social sciences (ranging from anthropology and archaeology to history and sociology, in journals like Critical Sociology or Law and Social Inquiry) and humanities (literature, ethnomusicology, area studies). I have also worked with clients on application materials, personal statements, and repurposing academic research for trade publications.

    • Initial consultation and quote for services (on Zoom, if desired)

    • Tracked changes for edits and line comments in Word

    • Global comments and recommendations via email

    • Free review of text changed in response to suggested edits or comments

    • Documents around 40,000 words or less: these can be final drafts, works-in-progress, or portions of longer projects (chapter, bibliography, etc.)

    • Styles: Chicago, MLA, APA, Bluebook, AMA, AP

    • Content expertise in humanities and social sciences; extensive experience with authors working in English as a foreign language; familiarity with legal scholarship, grants, institutional communications and press releases

  • AI can be a fantastic tool, but for longer texts you’ll get something different working with an editor: reading for a particular audience; substantive and nuanced recommendations for flow; secondary reviews and someone to answer your questions or doubts about planned revisions, among them!