Mary Freeman Editing

Why hire an editor or coach . . .

• No one taught you to write . . . your advisors aren’t helping.
• Your advisors are helping, but you need more. . .
• It’s been a long time, but you still have something important to say.
• You have lots to say but don’t now how to say it.
• In addition to a deadline, you have a life.
• You’ve got a solid draft but it’s not there yet.
• You need help turning your thesis/dissertation/paper into something more readable.
• You need a refresher on how to write better.
• You’re an ESL writer who needs help with some grammar, idiom and style issues.

How I can help

Editing

I assist scholarly, academic, and non-fiction authors who write on general, humanities, and qualitative social science topics. My revisions of personal statements have won my clients college admission, academic jobs, and even a Fulbright fellowship.

I also help writers who’ve left academia–but who still want to share their knowledge and insights–transition to a more lay reader-accessible writing style on digital media, whether for a blog, website, or cross-posted content.

Whatever your project, whether you’re struggling to meet a deadline, write or revise a dissertation, polish an article, blog or post, or turn your ESL writing into fluent American English, I’ll enhance your voice, polish your prose, and–if you wish–take you through the steps to do the same. The result is effective communication with your audience.

I customize my editing services to suit your budget and needs.

Coaching

If you’re new to writing—or a struggling writer—coaching can help with plain language explanations customized to your learning style.

Reasons for a writing coach

• Writing is emotional, even for experienced writers.  A trusted writing coach can help identify your writing needs and the emotional triggers that hold you back.
• Everyone processes things differently. I’ll present writing concepts and advice compatible with your particular learning style(s).
• Think you know “nothing” about writing? Think again. A good coach tells you what you do know about writing, and helps you build those skills.
• Time management can be a challenge. Together, we’ll establish writing goals with realistic timetables for verifiable progress.
• Not sure where you are in the writing process? Writers evolve, so I encourage questions and pay close attention to your evolving needs through the coaching process.

Interested?   Take advantage of a sample edit and a free 30-minute phone consult. We’ll discuss your project, its purpose, audience and timeline so that I can tailor my services to meet your needs and goals.

Projects

• Advanced & beginning writing in the humanities & qualitative social sciences
• Post-Academic writing on traditional and digital platforms
• Peer-reviewed articles
• Dissertations & theses
• Monographs & books
• Personal statements
• Fulbright and other scholarship applications
• Oral histories
• Word reduction
• ESL writing into fluent standard American English

Style Sheets:

APA 7th ed. | CMOS/Turabian | MLA | Other institutional style sheets