Editing

I work on a range of non-fiction material. Some of my favourite topics include language and linguistics, intelligence, archaeology, and entrepreneurship.

One of the best things about working with a skilled editor is having your blind spots revealed. We all have them — things that we overlook or just can’t see, for being too close to our own work.

I usually accept one large editing project annually, and a handful of smaller pieces during the year. Please feel welcome to get in touch to check my availability for your project.

Am I the right editor for you?

I'm on the "descriptivist" end of the spectrum. I support the evolution of language and am more interested in how language is used, rather than how grammar books tell us to use it.

This means I encourage your personal style and voice to shine in your text, even if it bends some rules of outdated grammatical pedantry.

I’m also an unabashed educator: my hope is that you come away with not just an edited manuscript, but a deeper knowledge of writing and a greater awareness of your own writing style.

These days I most love editing for structure, tone, and sense — bigger picture stuff. But of course, I’m available to support you in the nitty gritty of spelling, grammar, punctuation and fact-checking too.

You may also be interested in developing yourself as a writer with my coaching sessions.

 
 

testimonials

 

“Dear Jess, thanks a lot for your great edits and suggestions. You really engaged with the contents!”

— Margherita P., “Arts of Vulnerability”

“I just finished reading the edited version. Accepted 99% of the changes. I must say, I am impressed with how well you understood my research. Great job, thank you!”

— M. J., “Molecular prognostic and predictive factors of breast cancer”

“Thanks Jessie — I love these words. You are doing a sterling job.”

— Maxine Gray, Warner Bros Executive Producer, “Child Genius”

“It was an ambitious idea to write a doctoral dissertation in English. Thanks for your incredible work, your efforts have made this manuscript so much better.”

— Minna K., “Recycling Ships: Maritime Archaeology
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna”

“Jess’ work is always exemplary. I can trust that any manuscript that I throw at her will be returned as a polished product. Jess’ attention to detail is visible in both the “big picture” overview (chapters, sections, and concept) as well as the nitty-gritty detail (the difference between em and en dashes!). She also keeps me in line when citing sources, maintaining rigour in all research references. 

I’ll continue to use (and recommend) Jess’ editing wholeheartedly—every time!”

— Alan D. Thompson, Life Architect

“This is a masterpiece!!! I LOVE it from beginning to the end! Wonderful that you shifted things around in the final version to make it more concise and coherent. I cannot wait to get feedback from my project partner and then send it to my new client.

An extra ‘thank you’ for turning it around so quickly!!!”

— Otto Siegel, Genius Coaching

“I absorbed all your comments and I just sent it to my tutors. I just wanted to say you did an amazing job. I will definitely recommend you to others. Thank you!”

— Louisa M.

“You are far and away the best editor of TableAus I have seen in the 8 years I have been a member. You have brought out the best in Mensans — energy, humour, diversity, focus on ideas, and even romance.”

— Eugene M.