Arlene offers Freelance Editing & Proofreading Services |
 've always been a communicator. I have a diverse background in television broadcasting (British Columbia Institute of Technology—Broadcast Communications, 1980) and the media, arts and classical music, academia and teaching, and the stock market and personal finance. I also have interests in history, literature, languages, politics, economics, philosophy, science, genealogy, biology and the environment. Beyond being a logophile (passionate about words), in my spare time I love listening to Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, J. Strauss, playing piano, cooking, studying family history, hiking, cycling, boating, exploring nature, and above all traveling to exotic locales and learning about other cultures.
Freelance editing and proofreading draw many of these disparate careers and enthusiasms together. I have a wide array of experience with both fiction and nonfiction and have edited and proofread autobiographies, memoirs, physics, history, philosophy, how-to books, self-help books, books for teens and children, and books on finance, real estate, law, numismatics, anthropology, science and the environment, among many other genres. For two years I worked on physicists' papers in the publications department of a particle physics lab (TRIUMF), so I will even edit quantum physics (using LaTeX) should the occasion call for it! From this broad base, I'm always eager to expand my repertoire. I'm a lifelong learner and embrace every new project with a sense of wonder and curiosity.
In addition to freelance book editing, from 2003 to 2005 I was the editorial proofreader at the respected weekly newspaper Business in Vancouver and each of its subsidiary special publications, including Home Makeover, Western Investor and Visitor's Choice. The latter is a series of tourist guides for cities and towns throughout British Columbia. I have worked on numerous corporate projects such as newsletters, grant proposals, marketing and publicity materials, and corporate reports. This work has always kept my copy editing and proofreading skills razor sharp. |
I enjoy doing speaking engagements and presentations on the importance of editing and proofreading. In November of 2008, along with self-publishing guru Dan Poynter, I spoke at the Toad River Writers' Retreat near Fort Nelson, British Columbia. There, I also spoke to groups of school-aged children on the value of developing good writing skills. In February of 2008, I did a similar speaking engagement at the Puerto Vallarta Writers' Conference.
In October of 2004, I returned from the prestigious Express Yourself authors' conference in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where I spoke about freelance editing and proofreading, sharing the same panels with such noted luminaries of the publishing world as Dan Poynter, John Kremer, Brian Jud and John Harnish, among others. This conference was hosted by Infinity Publishing, a good source If you would like to learn more about digital print-on-demand (POD) publishing (www.infinitypublishing.com). I am passionate about educating authors on the value of hiring an editor and would be delighted to add my insights, expertise and humour to your next authors' or writers' group meeting.
I'm a member of the Editors' Association of Canada, and I take courses regularly with Simon Fraser University's Writing and Publishing Program to keep my skills fresh and to keep abreast of current trends in writing, editing and publishing.
I've been writing, and helping others with their words and writing, for as long as I can remember. Every stage of my professional life has involved writing, editing and communication. But in 2003, I embraced freelance editing, proofreading and manuscript consultation—of books in particular—as a full-time career. Compared with industry standards, I charge very reasonable rates, and I labour over each manuscript as if I had written it myself, regardless of the price I have quoted the author at the outset. With this combination of freshness, wide experience, my flexible schedule and availability, you can be assured of the most pleasant editing experience you’ll find anywhere—in person, by phone or by e-mail.
I'll be delighted to provide you with a free estimate. Please visit my Rates page and take a few minutes to fill out my quick, simple “free quote” form.
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