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Knowledge. Tenacity. Desire. 

What you bring to the page

Support.

What you need to get
your project across the finish line

Why Hire an Editor?

Editing is part of the writing process. It's that point in our writing when we focus on the needs of our audience: Do our ideas make sense to our readers? Have we paid attention to their concerns?

 

Although editing is traditionally associated with the publishing industry, editing skills have a much broader application. Organizations, associations, businesses, and government agencies flood us with documents vying for our attention. The challenge for any writer is to produce a clear and readable text, holding a reader's attention. Freelance editors and proofreaders can support a writer in that process.

At Margaret Phillips Editing, I offer a full range of editing services for non-fiction writing. I work with individual writers as well as organizations, businesses, and not-for-profits. If you want to redesign a public document with plain language principles, I can use simple language and visual design to ensure the text is easy to read.

 

If you've never worked with an editor before, it helps to know about the editing process.

 

I edit a document in layers, and with each layer, the writer and I collaborate. We pass the text back and forth as we work together and clear up issues. That collaborative process helps a writer so their work is ready to publish.

 

You can read about my editing services below. 

 Structural 
 Editing

This is the first level of editing.

 

I help you organize and present content in a way that makes sense to your reader.

Copy Editing          Plus

I edit the text for clarity and flow of paragraphs (stylistic editing).

 

Then I copy edit for grammar.

Copy Editing
        Basics

I copy edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency of style.

Proofreading

Your document has been fully edited and is print-ready.

 

I proofread the text for typos and visual consistency.

You can learn more about my services
Researching and Writing

How can I help?

If you've never hired an editor and you're unsure about the process, you can read my blog 5 Steps to Hire an Editor.

DSCF0251 - Copy (3)_edited.jpg

Hi, I'm Margaret.

I am a freelance editor and proofreader, and I live in Peterborough, Ontario.

I bring an eclectic background to my editing experience with a BA and research MA in the social sciences and humanities and an interest in social justice and equity issues. I've also worked in health care as a physiotherapist.

 

I have completed an Editing Certificate from Simon Fraser University.

Collaboration

I know it can be hard to hand over your writing project for feedback. Yet all of us need a second pair of eyes to read even our most polished text. That's my role as an editor, another pair of eyes to support you as you move through the editing process.

A Man and a Woman working together

My values

Good communication is a big part of ensuring a successful editing project. I strive to be clear in my written communication and schedule a phone meeting for each level of editing. These meetings help to resolve issues and keep the process moving forward to meet an author's deadline.

​

I also enjoy the collaborative process of working with a writer.

  • I respect an author's writing style

  • I care about their document

  • I share their desire to grab and hold their reader's attention 

  • I keep the needs of their readers in mind

 

These are the values I bring to the editing process. In doing so, I can support a writer in achieving the best possible version of their document.

“I always appreciate to work with Margaret, for the excellent quality of her work as well as for her reliability."

– Anita A.

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