Fresh from graduate school in 1993 and fuelled by a need to engage with language and story, I approached local book publishers, volunteering my time for the opportunity to edit. By 1998 I was senior editor with Atlantic Canada’s largest publishing house, when I opted to trade full-time employment for more flexibility and diversity in freelancing.
In the course of two decades of editing, freelance assignments cover the editing spectrum from substantive/stylistic editing, to copy editing, to proofreading for clients from book publishers to corporations to individuals.
Several titles I have contributed to have received nominations or awards, among them the Dartmouth Book Awards and the Atlantic Book Awards, as well as the History of Psychiatry Farrar Prize and the 2010 Middle East Studies Association’s Houshang Pourshariati Best Book in Iranian Studies Prize.
A diverse range of subjects, genres, and types of editing inform the curiosity and dedication I bring to every project. Surely, among life’s greatest treasures is the gift, aesthetic or otherwise, inherent in an enchanting or provocative new read! Playing a supporting role in ushering new titles into readers’ hands is deeply gratifying. Forging genuine relationships with writers who entrust their work to the editorial process is a pleasure and a privilege in equal measure.
Paula Sarson provided structural and stylistic editing on my first non-fiction book. Paula is that rare editor who works not just with rules, but with the underlying spirit of a story. She first read my manuscript with a sensitive heart that alerted her to the writer behind the words. Thus informed, she began her work with outstanding editorial skill and efficiency, keen perception and sensitivity to nuance, lifting my ponderous manuscript to a lean, elegant read. Beyond her strength as an editor, on a personal note, she is humble, wise, and tremendously encouraging.
Deborah Carr, Sanctuary: The Story of Naturalist Mary Majka
Paula is meticulous in her preparation and precise in the execution of her craft. Most importantly, she understands the value of communication to the process and goes beyond boundaries to ensure the author’s vision is honestly captured, cultivated, and honoured.
James Duplacey, Managing Editor, Goose Lane Editions
