You can hire me for services such as these:

• plain language
• writing and ghostwriting
• editing and proofreading
  • developmental editing
  • structural and stylistic editing
  • copy editing
  • proofreading
• consulting and training

Tasks, terms, and examples

Many projects combine different tasks. I can explain tasks, define terms, and give you examples. But if you’d like to jump to a consultation first, please contact me.

There is a typical process from idea and need to publication. The process starts with the idea and need, developing the idea, research, writing drafts, revising, and editing. It ends with publication in one or more formats. This is true for printed books, websites, brochures, online courses, blogs, social media posts, and more.

Editing and proofreading

Editors may be involved early in the process, even in developing ideas, researching, and drafting. Or they may be involved close to publication—for example, when they copy edit the text.

Proofreaders check and mark up professionally edited text set out in its final format.

When you and I talk about your project, we will talk about what you want and what your project needs. I will use definitions from Editors Canada.

Plain language, clear communications, and accessibility

Plain language, clear communications, and accessibility are related terms. My blog addresses them.

Please contact me about consultations, training about plain language and accessibility, or hands-on work to develop communications in plain language.

Plain language is all about information that an audience needs and can find, understand, and use.

“A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily do each of the following:
– find what they need;
– understand what they find; and
– use that information.”
(Source: CAN-ASC-3.1:2025, Plain Language National Standard of Canada; adapted from the Plain Language Association International, or PLAIN)

Plain language is a process that centres on audience needs. Work to develop plain, clear, accessible communications can include the following:

• research
• co-design with the audience
• writing and editing for clear and consistent language
• developing and finetuning the structure and design as well as the language
• reviews by subject experts
• fact checking for accuracy
• feedback and testing by users
• publishing
• feedback to revise or update
• audits to review, revise, and update
• organizational and systemic change
• using CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 (Plain Language National Standard of Canada) and ISO 24495-1:2023 (Plain Language: Governing Principles and Guidelines)

AI statement

If you are sending work to me for any service, please state upfront if you have used generative AI in your research, writing, editing, translation, or other tasks. Then we can work together for your best results.

I do not use generative AI in my own work as an editor and writer except where a client requires its use on their projects. I use other common editorial tools and processes to meet high standards with efficiency (such as PerfectIt and style sheets). My reasons for this AI policy include respecting confidentiality agreements and copyright.