First Name: Samantha
Last Name: Abels
Email: samantha_abels@yahoo.com
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, technical writing
Qualifications
- BA Professional Writing
- 7 years experience technical writing and editing
- 4 years experience editing/proofreading
Previous Experience/References
I have worked in the following areas:
- Telecommunications engineering
- Business-to-business software
- Information systems
- Disaster recovery planning
- Lived in Tokyo for 2 years—edited graduate student papers
Kind of Work Preferred
General editing.
Type of Service
Negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email only
Last Minute Requests?
No
Fees
Per hour, negotiable
Fee Range
$20-30
Other Information
I would be happy for you to call or email for questions or more information.
First Name: Kay Robin
Last Name: Alexander
Email: kayrobin@duke.edu
Phone: 919-682-7807
Specialty Areas/Categories
ESL/international students, humanities, social sciences, theses, dissertations, writing for publication (fiction and nonfiction)
Qualifications
More than 20 years' experience writing and editing journalism, scholarly projects, marketing/media, redaction, fiction, proposals, grants, and essays. I've also taught an undergraduate-level course at Duke and have worked with post-grads and professionals in a wide variety of fields (history, political science, art history, public policy, music, fine arts, cultural studies). I have extensive experience in copyright management as well, including permission gathering and searches.
Previous Experience/References
Dr. Paddy Ladd
Director of Research, MSc Course Programme
Centre for Deaf Studies
8 Woodland Road
University of Bristol BS8 1TN UK
e-mail: Pad.Ladd@bristol.ac.uk
Nailya Alexander
Nailya Alexander Gallery
24 W. 57th St., #501
New York, NY 10019
e-mail: nailya@mindspring.comReynolds Smith
Executive Editor, Duke University Press
P.O. Box 90660
Durham, NC 27708
e-mail: j.smith@duke.edu
Andrea Selch
Director, Carolina Wren Press
120 Morris Street
Durham, NC 27701
e-mail: carolina@carolinawrenpress.org
Rebecca G. Adams
Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology & Planning,
Editor of Personal Relationships, and Professor and Graduate Director of Sociology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu
Sociology Web Page: www.uncg.edu/~r_adams
Dr. Paul Yoder
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
English Department
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
e-mail: rpyoder@ualr.edu
Kind of Work Preferred
Long papers, theses, dissertations
Applications, inquiries, proposals, grants
Essays, position papers, copyright consultations
Type of Service
Ongoing, negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email and/or face-to-face
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
Negotiable: per hour, per page, or per project
Fee Range
Other Information
I'm very comfortable working with authors for whom English is a second language.
Last Name: Allison
Email: adrienne.allison@gmail.com
Phone: 919.593.2672
Specialty Areas/Categories
General Editing, Application Essays, Theses and Dissertations, Manuscripts for Publication, Cover Letters/Resumes, Legal Writing
Qualifications
- B.A. in English/Women's Studies and a J.D., both from UNC-Chapel Hill
- Former assistant editor for scholarly press
Previous Experience/References
My previous editing work includes scholarly book manuscripts, dissertations, cover letters and resumes, and professional writing.
Kind of Work Preferred
- Book and journal manuscripts
- Theses and dissertations
- Application essays
- Grant & project proposals
- Resumes/cover letters.
Type of Service
Drop-off Service, On-going Consultation Possible
Preferred Method of Contact
Email
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee.
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$30
Other Information
Feel free to call or email me with any questions.
First Name: Robin
Last Name: Arcus
Email: robinarc@aol.com
Phone: 919-683-3013
Specialty Areas/Categories
creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students
Qualifications
Clear writing is essential to communicating your ideas effectively. I have worked at the Duke University Writing Studio tutoring graduate and undergraduate students. I also work independently as a tutor, writing coach, and editor. Let's work together on your writing goals.
Previous Experience/References
Duke University Writing Studio, Vicki Russell, vgr@duke.edu
Center for Women in Ministry in the South, Jeanette Stokes, stokesnet@aol.com
Kind of Work Preferred
Brainstorming research paper ideas to formuate an outline; consulting on-going writing work; coaching to motivate writers to higher levels of output; editing final drafts.
Type of Service
dropoff, ongoing, negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
phone, email, face-to-face
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$25-45
Other Information
N/A
Last Name: Arem
Email: jarem(at)email(dot)unc(dot)edu
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative Writing, General Editing, Tutoring, International Students, Application Essays, Formatting, Technical Writing, Theses and Dissertations, Writing for Publication, Typing/Transcription
Qualifications
Previous Experience/References
Kind of Work Preferred
On a freelance basis, I've been editing theses, final drafts, dissertations, long/term papers, inquiries, proposals, applications, resumes, cover letters, journal articles, helping students brainstorm research paper ideas and consulting on-going writing work and organization and study skills for the past seven years.
As a Folklorist, I have experience as a transcriber of personal memoirs, oral histories and group sessions. I enjoy helping students in the social sciences and independent researchers conduct and analyze their fieldwork.
I have 6 years of grant writing experience in the public arts sector and the education system. I have written successful grants for over 10 foundations and organizations. I am happy to help tutor in grant writing/editing skills, grant research skills, and/or edit/research grants for one time or ongoing projects.
I received training as a Liberal Studies tutor in 2000. I am happy to help with grant writing/editing, personal memoirs, theses, oral history transcription, typing, long/term papers, dissertations, inquiries, proposals, writing for publication, brainstorming research paper ideas to formuate an outline; consulting on-going writing work; editing final drafts, applications, resumes, cover letters, journal articles, organization and study skills.
Type of Service
Drop-off Service, On-going Consultation Possible, Brief Consultation Included, Services negotiable according to client's needs
Preferred Method of Contact
Email contact initially.
Last Minute Requests?
Yes.
Fees
Per Hour, Per Project, Negotiable
Fee Range
$35-45
First Name: Barbara
Last Name: Balogh
Email: barbara.balogh06@yhaoo.com
Phone: 919-493-0895
Specialty Areas/Categories
Tutoring, international students,tutoring English as a second language students in conversation and in American culture and customs
Qualifications
Duke University ESL Certificate, B.A. in Communications/University of Miami - Major: Journalism.
Previous Experience/References
Durham Tech ESL Instructor since 2002. Have taught ESL at Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio, and in Miami, Florida at the English Center, Coral Gables Adult Education Center, and for a past grant program at Florida International University. Have tutored international students in Durham since 2006, focusing on conversation.
Kind of Work Preferred
Tutoring foreign students one-on-one.
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, extra fee may apply
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$20-$25
First Name: Whitman
Last Name: Bolles
Email: bollesw@yahoo.com
Phone: 919-969-0962
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, application essays, theses and dissertations, writing for publications
Qualifications
15 years teaching composition and literature at community college level, both developmental and curriculum courses. M.Ed., M.F.A. (NC State). Published author.
Previous Experience/References
See above experience. References available upon request.
Kind of Work Preferred
Theses, dissertations, term papers. Editing, proofreading.
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, extra fee may apply
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$20/hour
Other Information
ESL teaching and tutorial experience as well.
Last Name: Brown
Email: mksbrown@ipass.net
Website: www.editingservices.biz
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students
Qualifications
M.A. Honours degree from the University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland. Having lived in Britain for six years, I enjoy working with people who have an international perspective. I have taught English and Art History at the undergraduate level and architectural history at graduate level. I found that I enjoyed grading and improving papers more than classroom teaching, and that people are very appreciative of the help I provide.
Previous Experience/References
Since 1996, I have helped academics and professionals whose first language is not English improve their dissertations, journal submissions and articles, reports, scholarship/fellowship applications, letters of recommendation, and technical guidelines. I have worked with Chinese, Taiwanese, and Korean civil engineers (most from or currently at NCSU) and Nursing students as well as academics in the field of adult and continuing education, and professionals in the business and state government sectors, including a native Alaskan professor at the University of Alaska—Fairbanks who is developing an agricultural economic development plan for the State of Alaska. In addition to Asian clients, I have edited documents in English for academics from Germany, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Italy, and Australia. That is, my editing experience is varied and extends from humanities, education, and social sciences to science and engineering, including the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Kind of Work Preferred
I enjoy working with graduate students and faculty whose first language is not English to improve the readability of their academic documents. My hope is that their academic careers and time spent in the United States are not impeded by the frustration of not being clearly understood in their written English.
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Per Hour
Fee Range
$40/hour
Other Information
I do not charge extra for last-minute requests or rush jobs and I do not charge for correspondence/consulting time, only for the editing work itself. Please visit my website at www.editingservices.biz.
First Name: Rene
Last Name: Caputo
Email: eslconsults@bellsouth.net
Phone: 919-929-3471
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, application essays, international students
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Education, specializing in Teaching ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- Writing teacher and tutor since 1998.
Previous Experience/References
- Currently teach international students at Duke University
- Taught MBA language classes (HEELS program) in the Kenan-Flagler business school, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Tutored MBA students in the summer Language Institute at The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University
- Taught various ESL classes for Durham Technical Community College for over 10 years. Received an Excellence in Teaching award there.
- I have evaluated essays for UNC-Chapel Hill's admissions department, Duke University's English for International Students program, and the SAT exam
- Clients include both native and non-native English speakers/writers
Kind of Work Preferred
- Editing: Application essays, letters of intent, cover letters, and more. I do not edit dissertations or theses. If you want assistance with an academic paper, I will coach you in improving your text within the boundaries of Honor Code considerations.
- Tutoring: Conversation, writing, grammar, and test preparation for adults and high school students. SAT essay coaching.
Type of Service
Ongoing consultation. Brief initial consultation included.
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or face-to-face.
Last Minute Requests?
Not usually.
Fees
By the hour
Fee Range
$40-50
Other Information
I am a native speaker and writer of English, yet understand the challenges of communicating in a second language.
Last Name: Carter
Email: cartere@missouri.edu
Phone: 919-545-2267
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, writing for publication
Qualifications
I have 30 yeras of experience in K-16 education with a strong background in writing, editing, and research. I recently retired as a university grant writer. I have published two bibliographies and several articles. I have done freelance work ranging from editing entire manuscripts to writing Trivia questions. I have worked with students and faculty for whom English is a Second Language to improve their writing. I have also tutored grad students with writing assistance.
Previous Experience/References
- BS and MS in English
- Writing/Editing/Research experience in the field of education for 30 years
- Freelance Writing/Editing experience in the field of education for past 10 years
- References available upon request
Kind of Work Preferred
I am willing to assist with editing and tutoring for students as well as faculty.
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
Negotiable
First Name: Kitty
Last Name: Dalton
Email: english4internationals@mindspring.com
Phone: 919-933-6172
Specialty Areas/Categories
Tutoring, International students
Qualifications
I am an experienced and award-winning English as a second language instructor and private tutor. I work with MBAs, international teaching assistants, visiting scholars, graduate students and their spouses. I currently work with international MBA students as an ESL specialist at the Duke University School of Business and maintain a private tutoring practice. I received my ESL teaching certificate from Duke University and and certified in the American Accent Training curriculum. I also have a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree. I really enjoy getting to know and working with international people
Previous Experience/References
I have been a private English as a second language tutor since 2000 and was an ESL instructor at Durham Technical Community College for five years. I have also been an ESL trainer for corporate clients. My students are from Korea, Japan, Latin America, China, India and many other countries. Most of the students I tutor have been referred by other students and I'd be happy to provide you with references.
Kind of Work Preferred
I can help students improve their communication skills in the areas of conversational English, pronunciation/accent modification, listening comprehension, presentations, interviewing, telephoning, TOEFL preparation and writing (such as e-mails, cover letters, and resumes.) I typically meet students one-on-one, but my services are also available online or in a small group format.
Type of Service
Ongoing consultation, Services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$25-$30
Other Information
Please refer to my website for a complete listing of my qualifications and services: english4internationals.com.
First Name: Diane
Last Name: Datso
Email: MoreEnglish@cs.com
Phone: 919-636-2305
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, application essays, scientific writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
- B.A. Yale University, Ph.D. Educational Psychology
- Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), Duke University.
- Writing instruction as ESL teacher at Durham Technical Community College for 5 years
Previous Experience/References
- 6 years operating my own More English Editing and Tutoring business, mostly for international students at UNC and Duke University
- Theses, class papers, research proposals, statements of purpose, graduate school applications, dissertations, articles for publication
- Wide range of subject matter: social sciences, sciences, technical, business, medicine.
- "I think you did a really wonderful job for me." - international nursing student regarding edit of article for publication
- "It was really helpful" - international graduate student regarding edit of class paper
- "The comments were very helpful. Thank you very much." - international city planning doctoral student regarding edit of research paper
- "You have been helpful from the beginning of the school and I really appreciate it." - international student regarding editing prior to defending master's level research
- For more reference information, contact MoreEnglish@cs.com.
Kind of Work Preferred
- "English Polishing," that is, editing material written by non-native English speakers so that it becomes fluent.
- Proofreading or general editing for any academic or other writing.
- Theses, class papers, research proposals, statements of purpose, graduate school applications, dissertations, articles for publication.
- Any subject matter: social sciences, sciences, technical, business, law, medicine.
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$25
Other Information
I am careful to preserve your "voice" and content in fluent English. I enjoy working with international students and have successfully supported their academic accomplishments in English. E-mail exchange of writing to be edited. Use of Track Changes tool to indicate editing.
First Name: Lee
Last Name: Elliott
Email: leetituselliott@earthlink.net
Phone: 919-286-2357
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, formatting, technical writing, dissertations/theses, writing for publication
Qualifications
- MFA in Creative Writing, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
- MA in English, Hollins University (Roanoke, VA)
- BA in Latin and in English, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Tutor for students in ESL program and for developmental and freshman English students, Durham Technical Community College
- Owner and Managing Editor, Elliott Editorial Online (http://www.elliotteditorial.com)
- Instructor/Lecturer in English composition, English and American literature, technical writing, and creative writing at several colleges/universities, 1972–2003
Previous Experience/References
- From 2003 to the present, I have been freelance writing and editing full-time—with clients ranging from periodicals (BOOKMARKS MAGAZINE, based in Chapel Hill, NC and in Berkeley, CA) and community colleges (Durham Technical Community College) to academic publishers (Duke University Press and Carolina Academic Press, Durham, NC) to trade publishers (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Harcourt, and others) to master’s and PhD candidates working on theses and dissertations, respectively. My editing duties have included developmental editing, substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking. I have also worked as a writing/thesis/dissertation coach for graduate students in various subjects—such as English, Criminal Justice, history, education, and library science.
- My editing business, Elliott Editorial Online, was established in May 2003. It offers the following services and specialties: developmental editing, substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading of fiction; literary nonfiction; general nonfiction; literary criticism; master’s theses and PhD dissertations; textbooks on law, criminal justice, and political science; and textbooks for teachers.
- I have also written and designed newsletters and brochures for various organizations, including Durham Technical Community College and the Men’s Center of Raleigh and Wake County.
- I am currently finishing a novel with the working title KLAN COUNTRY.
- From 1972 through 2003, I taught English composition, English and American literature, technical writing, and creative writing at NC State University, NC A & T State University, East Carolina University, Georgia Southern University, St. Augustine’s College (Raleigh, NC), and Durham Technical Community College. At Durham Tech, I tutored composition students in all stages of the writing process—from prewriting through drafting and editing. I also guided speech students in preparing oral reports.
- To see examples of published work I have edited, please feel free to visit my Web site, Elliott Editorial Online (http://www.elliotteditorial.com), especially the “Client Satisfaction” page. For four recent recommendations, please go to my profile on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/leetituselliott).
Kind of Work Preferred
- Substantive editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
- Developmental editing. For academic writing and other nonfiction, I use a combination of questions, close reading, research, conversations, and suggestions to help a writer develop a broad topic into a more narrowly focused thesis and outline. I then support the writer as he or she researches, writes, and revises to complete a satisfactory manuscript. For fiction, I first evaluate a writer’s draft, and then I suggest improvements in storyline, character development, structure, description, dialogue, and pacing. Then I support the writer through the number of drafts it takes to complete a publishable manuscript.
- Ongoing consultation to help writers focus their academic, nonfiction, or fiction writing to serve their career goals and appeal to specific audiences.
- Coaching PhD and master’s degree candidates and other scholars to learn skills needed to meet deadlines and to adopt a regular and sustainable writing practice.
- Rewriting field-specific jargon in clear English that lay readers can understand.
- Translation from German or Latin into English.
- Research assistance.
- Formatting completed dissertations/theses to meet style requirements for submission.
Type of Service
On-going consultation, brief consultation included,services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email and/or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
Per hour, per page, per project, negotiable
Fee Range
Depends on the kind(s) of editing needed. For one sample of fees, go to http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php.
Other Information
- Member of Editorial Freelancers Association (http://www.the-efa.org)
- I enjoy working with undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in a wide variety of fields—including English composition, English and American literature, literary criticism, creative writing, technical writing, art history, musicology, and cultural studies.
- Part of my fee is written acknowledgement of my services in any published version of any manuscript I edit or for which I provide research assistance, translation, or original writing.
- A student who works with me must have the permission of his or her professor.
- When I coach undergraduates, I do not edit papers to be submitted for class credit; rather, I help them learn to do this themselves.
First Name: Myra
Last Name: Emerson
Email: emereed@att.net
Phone: 919-929-8905
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, scientific writing, technical writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
JD degree, MA in sociology, 10 years' experience editing academic papers. ESL editing a specialty.
Previous Experience/References
Experience editing dissertations, journal articles, and class papers.
Kind of Work Preferred
Academic editing.
Type of Service
On-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, extra fee may apply
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$25-$30
Other Information
15 years' experience doing sociological and health care research. Training and experience as a mediator.
First Name: Ilene
Last Name: Freedman
Email: babsfree@aol.com
Phone: 919-781-9181
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, international students
Qualifications
- Certificate in ESL Teaching from Duke University and 8 years experience teaching large and small group classes and tutoring individuals.
- BA - Psychology, Rutgers University MA - Counseling, New York University
- Extensive, diverse work history which includes not only teaching but counseling and advising individuals from many countries with respect to living and working in the USA.
Previous Experience/References
- 8 years experience in large and small classroom settings working with beginnng to advanced students for Wake Tech Community College, Literacy Council of Wake County and private employer
- 3 years private tutoring, working with individuals and 2-3 person groups to improve their English skills as they relate to work assignments, school performance, writing ability or general communication
- References available upon request
Kind of Work Preferred
General editing of assignments, e-mail communication, cover letters etc. to improve readability (grammar, word selection and ability to convey intended meaning).
Type of Service
On-going consultation, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Emai or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Per hour, negotiable
Fee Range
$20-30
Other Information
I enjoy working with internationals, across all levels, to help them improve their communication skills, both oral and written. My students have found me a great resource to not only improve their English skills but to give them a better understanding and grasp of the culture and offerings of the area in which they are living and studying.
First Name: Crystal
Last Name: Gregory
Email: crystal.gregory@gmail.com
Phone: 412-657-8675
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays,typing/transcription
Qualifications
MA in Applied Linguistics; 3 years ESL tutoring experience at the college and adult education levels. Experience teaching writing, grammar, English, and composition. Experienced editor, proofreader, and translator.
Previous Experience/References
- Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Pittsburgh PA
- Teaching Assistant, Canada Institute of Linguistics
Kind of Work Preferred
Tutoring international students, editing papers, and teaching writing.
Type of Service
Drop-off service, On-going consultation, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, extra fee may apply
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
Open
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Harris
Email: rrharris@email.unc.edu
Phone: 248-756-7410
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, international students, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
I am an outgoing graduate student (MA, ABD UNC-Chapel Hill) with five years experience teaching political theory and writing skills to undergraduates at UNC and NC State. I enjoy helping others with writing consise, crisp, and persuasive essays, theses, and dissertations.
Previous Experience/References
5 years experience as a TA and instructor teaching over 400 undergraduates at UNC and NC State. References upon request.
Kind of Work Preferred
I am especially qualified in teaching students how to write effective papers in political science, philosophy, and theology which are my fields of expertise. I would also enjoy reading work from other fields.
Type of Service
Drop-off service, on-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or telephone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
By the hour
Fee Range
$20/hr
First Name: Patrick
Last Name: Inman
Email: patinman@earthlink.net
Phone: 919-923-6871
Specialty Areas/Categories
General Editing, International Students, Scientific Writing, Technical Writing, Theses and Dissertations, Tutoring, Writing for Publication
Qualifications
My training is in history, and like most historians, I have learned to borrow from many different fields, including economics and statistics, and to write about technical subjects both accurately and in a way the general reader can understand. I have been helping others write for over 25 years in business and non-profit organizations as well as in academia. I earned my B.A. in Latin American history at Bowdoin, a certificate in Computer Science at NCSU, and a graduate certificate in Women's Studies at Duke. I was a graduate student in history at UNC-CH until illness forced me to leave and financial circumstances made me put my studies on hold. I make my living as an editor and writer while continuing research and writing on the tangled history of twentieth-century Spain and Germany.
Previous Experience/References
I recently contributed to, edited, and coordinated international collaboration for Peacock, Thornton, and Inman, Identity Matters: Ethnic and Sectarian Conflict (Berghahn Books: 2007) and edited Francine Netter Roberson's biography of the artist central to 20th-century medical education, Frank H. Netter, M.D.: Master Medical Illustrator, to be published by Elsevier. In the last few years I've worked with faculty in anthropology, economics, education, history, literature, political science, psychology, and public health on book chapters and articles for refereed journals, with medical school faculty on NIH and AHA grant proposals (including a large training grant for a department in the Medical School), with graduate students in education, history, information and library science, journalism and mass communications, maternal and child health, psychology, and public policy on dissertation proposals, grant proposals, conference papers, dissertations, and Master's theses, and with undergraduates in anthropology, English, history, nursing, psychology, and sociology on individual papers and honors' theses, and also as a year-long writing coach. Other recent work has included researching and writing UNC-Chapel Hill's guide to complying with the employment eligibility verification requirements of US immigration law, documenting the standard operating procedures of a state agency's human resources department, historical and linguistic research, German-English and English-German translation for an award-winning novelist, and the translation of neurological research from Spanish for a large pharmaceutical company. I frequently collaborate with foreign scholars. I have edited the work of academics with varying degrees of English proficiency from China, Estonia, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Tibet, Venezuela, and the Ukraine. To see examples of published work I have edited, please contact me.
Kind of Work Preferred
- Comprehensive editing, line editing, and copy editing.
- Developmental editing: using a combination of questions, close reading, background research, conversations, and suggestions to help an author to develop an idea into a writing plan and then to support the writer as he or she works step-by-step, researching, writing, and revising, to complete a satisfactory manuscript.
- Ongoing consultation to help clients focus their academic writing to serve their career goals and persuade specific audiences.
- Coaching scholars at any level to write and research with less stress, to learn needed skills while working to deadlines, and to develop a regular writing practice, one that can be sustained despite all the pressures of academic life.
- Rewriting technical jargon and mathematical and statistical arguments in clear English.
- Translation from Spanish or German into English.
- Research assistance.
- Formatting completed dissertations to meet style requirements for submission. (This service includes conversion of Word documents to Adobe PDF format.)
- Coordination and support services for collaborative projects. These may include
- development of a project stylebook and copy editing to match it,
- monitoring drafts for consistent use of shared terminology and concepts,
- development and monitoring of schedules for the entire project, for each piece of the project, and for each contributor, and
- maintenance of a summary log of project communications highlighting individual commitments, group decisions, discussions, and open questions.
Type of Service
On-going Consultation Possible, Brief Consultation Included, Services negotiable according to client's needs
Preferred Method of Contact
I work with clients both face-to-face and by e-mail and phone. When the client is in the Triangle Area, I prefer to meet once face-to-face to plan how we will work together.
Last Minute Requests?
Do yourself a favor: if you suspect you will need an editor or a writing coach, hire one as soon as possible. The best editorial assistance is advice that saves you time you would otherwise waste in dead-end research, in hours, weeks, or months of writer's block, or in polishing wonderful prose that doesn't belong in the paper you are writing. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, and it costs less.
I accept last-minute requests for help when I have time available. That help usually consists of a short (one-to-two hours, including preparation time) coaching session to help a student think through his or her strategy for composing or revising a paper. I charge extra for last-minute requests only if the work must be done late at night or over weekends or holidays.
Fees
Negotiable by Project
Fee Range
N/A
Other Information
- Part of my fee is appropriate written acknowledgement of my services in any published version of any manuscript I edit or for which I provide research assistance, translation, project coordination, or original writing.
- Without proper notice—24 hours or more for phone meetings, 48 hours or more for in-person meetings—I charge for missed appointments.
- Students who work with me must have the permission of their professor(s).
- When I coach undergraduates, I do not edit papers to be submitted for class credit: I help my clients learn to do this themselves. I help all my clients think through their plans for research and writing, pace themselves, and find their way when they feel stymied.
First Name: Joy
Last Name: Javits
Email: joyinthepubliceye@gmail.com
Phone: 919-929-5355
Specialty Areas/Categories
International students
Qualifications
>In The Public Eye, Effective Communication coaches you to enhance any presentation. The combination of knowledge from theater, dance, politics, travel, medicine and events planning makes Joy ideal to coach you to speak, lecture, toast, interview, interrogate more eloquently and often, more concisely. For almost two decades, President Joy Javits has worked with professors, foreign, business and medical students, clergy, artists, professional speakers and politicians. Sliding Scale. Please have a look at my website: www.inthepubliceye.net
Previous Experience/References
I coach students at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, at Duke University, at UNC and Duke Medical Schools, and at various businesses in the Triangle with clients in NYC, Washington DC and Rhode Island. On faculty, the Theatre Department, Movement for Actors and Drama for MFA students, at UNC-CH and at Morse College, Yale, Chairman of the Orange County Arts Commission, teacher of dance, choreographer, calligrapher. References on request. Please see the website.
Kind of Work Preferred
Presentation Skills coaching. In one two hour session you will be able to present your speech or your lecture with more confidence and clarity. Either: a mock presentation; observation of a live presentation; or observation of a videotape.
Type of Service
Services negotiable
Preferred Method of Interaction
Email, face-to-face, or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
$40 to $100
First Name: Derek
Last Name: Keever
Email: derek_keever@hotmail.com
Phone: 919-929-9116
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, application essays, international students, tutoring
Qualifications
- B.A. in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina
- CELTA certificate, Cambridge, UK
- Teaching Certificate, Seoul, Korea
- MAT in TESOL
Previous Experience/References
- I am currently teaching writing at Durham Technical Community College
- I have edited research projects and essays for international students.
- I taught English writing and conversation in Asia (Korea, Japan, and Thailand) for six years.
- I worked as an editor at a correspondence program in Seoul, Korea
Kind of Work Preferred
- Editing essays and research projects
- Providing general tutoring assistance for non-native students
- Helping with writing and grammar sections on standardized tests
Type of Service
ongoing
Preferred Method of Contact
Phone, face-to-face, email
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, for an extra fee
Fees
By the hour
Fee Range
$25-30/hour
Other Information
I have been teaching ESL for 10 years and I enjoy helping non-native students improve their writing. I am a certified and experienced teacher trainer. I train native and non-native teachers, introducing techniques for teaching ESL and EFL to young learners and adults.
First Name: James
Last Name: Keith
Email: jimkeith40s@gmail.com
Phone: 919-236-3806
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, international students
Qualifications
TESOL Member, 1999. Fulbright Scholarship, 1992. Translator of German articles into English, Central European Regional Research Organization, 1992-1993. Editor of English for Russian economy report, Bank Austria, 1993. 10 years experience in foreign language education.
Previous Experience/References
Kind of Work Preferred
English tutoring. Written work preferred, requests for oral coaching accepted as well. I work well with international students of all backgrounds.
Type of Service
On-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Negotiable
Other Information
Unc grad, 1992.
First Name: Dave
Last Name: Levin
Email: bumpkin@dnet.net
Phone: (828) 644-0250
Specialty Areas/Categories
General Editing, International Students, Scientific Writing, Technical Writing, Theses and Dissertations, Writing for Publication
Qualifications
Since 2003, I have done freelance editing/proofreading, some through being a registered editor at editfast.com. The scholarly works I've edited have dealt with a range of subjects, from Performance Studies to Industrial Engineering. I am familiar with MLA and APA formats, and with the Chicago Manual of Style (15th Edition).
Previously, I spent over seven years as a contractor on an AT&T project, doing systems engineering. Before that, I was a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Labs/Bellcore. Both of these stints primarily involved interacting with clients to help them express their business needs, and my subsequently translating those needs to concrete terms that would be meaningful to the project's programming team.
Another component of systems engineering is the sharing of one's subject matter expertise. I have provided feedback on hundreds of information products, including project proposals, presentations, course materials, requirements specifications, software design specs and system test plans. I have also given several talks that were captured on video to instruct new team members.
On my own, I have written and published three instructional books: two on chess and one on contract bridge. This activity included writing, editing, proofreading, book design, marketing and industry relations. My publishing interests also extend to the chess website which I designed, built and maintain.
I hold a B.A. in Comp. Sci. and Mathematics from Rutgers College ('82), and an M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University ('83).
Previous Experience/References
People I've worked with have called me a saint, a peach and various things that border on embarrassing.
Kind of Work Preferred
I normally perform light copyediting, i.e., correction of spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage and sentence construction. Any broader questions I might have, e.g., regarding organization or intent, would be brought to the author's attention for that person to address as seen fit.
Type of Service
On-going Consultation Possible, Brief Consultation Included, Services negotiable according to client's needs
Preferred Method of Contact
Email (and/or phone)
Last Minute Requests?
Two-day notice minimum
Fees
Per Hour, Per Page, Per Project, Negotiable by Project
Fee Range
Special student rates: 1.25 cents/word for editing (scholarly material normally requires an hour's editing for every 1500-2000 words), $20/hour for consultation
Other Information
All of my dissertation editing has been for clients who are elsewhere, yet distance so far has not been an issue.
First Name: TD
Last Name: Matheny
Email: theny2003@yahoo.com
Phone: 919-968-4759
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, application essays, scientific writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
Doctorate in Biological Anthropology. Joint program between UNC and Duke. Twenty years' experience in teaching biological science at college level.
Previous Experience/References
In addition to PhD in Biological Anthropology, I've taught all manner of biology and anthropology courses at the college level for over twenty years. Very strong academic background in science methodology, critical thinking and writing across the curriculum. Academic expertise: evolutionary biology.
Kind of Work Preferred
- Tutor.
- Editing.
- Assist students, faculty, researchers.
Type of Service
Brief consultation included, services negotiable according to client's needs
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone
Preferred Method of Interaction
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
$25-35.00/hr.
Other Information
Semi-retired. Interest in staying involved with my discipline in this format.
First Name: Joanne
Last Name: Napoli
Email: joanne.napoli@verizon.net
Phone: 919 477 9315
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
I have an earned Ph.D. in English language and literature. I have taught university English courses in writing and literature, both in America and abroad for over 30 years. My last teaching post was as Assistant Professor of English at Kutztown University, part of the Pennsylvania State University system.
Previous Experience/References
Presently, I teach ESL and writing to students at Duke University and offer my services as language coach to International House at Duke University. I also specialize in teaching students with Learning Disabilities in reading, writing and speaking.I taught at the Hill Learning Center.For the past two summers, I have been a tutor in the Summer Institute at Duke's Fuqua School of Business.
Kind of Work Preferred
I enjoy working with university students and helping them with their writing and presentation skills.I prefer to work with them one-on-one, although once I have a relationship with them, I can continue through email and by phone.I have specialized in working with international students.
Type of Service
Ongoing, negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or face-to-face
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$30
Other Information
I also have earned Master's degrees in Counseling-Psychology, as well as in Music Education (Orff Institute, Salzburg, Austria). I speak 3 other foreign languages (German, French, Italian) and am now learning Spanish. I teach advanced classical piano technique.
First Name: Jennifer
Last Name: Neale
Email: jan258@nyu.edu
Phone: 919-389-8800
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, application essays, technical writing, typing/transcription
Qualifications
- 9 years of teaching (grammar, math, creative writing and test preparation)
- 7 years of editing and working as a writer
- MFA in creative writing from New York University; BA in English from Davidson College; HS Diploma from North Carolina School of Science and Math
Previous Experience/References
Clients include: SAS, Duke, Lowe's, Belk, MSA, MetaMetrics, MicroMass, NBC NewsChannel, Princeton Review and Kaplan
Kind of Work Preferred
Editing and proofing all types of materials, including essays, stories and theses. Also, teaching. I am familiar with Chicago, AP and AMA styles.
Type of Service
Ongoing, negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or face-to-face
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$25-35
Other Information
- Published author (fiction—literary magazines)
- Judge for Scholastic Writing Awards (2005)
- ETS Award of Excellence (2005)
- Princeton Review Teaching Award
First Name: George
Last Name: Oberlander
Email: obergeo@gmail.com
Phone: 919-477-9315
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays, scientific writing, technical writing, theses and dissertations
Qualifications
Previous Experience/References
Assistant Prof. of Philosophy, St. Bonaventure University (1970-73) (academic publishing and guiding theses); Documentation Manager, Coulter Diagnostics (1976-79)(wrote and managed publication of FDA-GMP documents; Copy editor, Journal of Mathematical Physics (1979-80); Senior Manager, Duke University (1995-2008) (wrote and edited full range of business documents, from technical procedures to division policies)
Kind of Work Preferred
Type of Service
Services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email, phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
$30-35
Other Information
I have a wide range of expertise in the sciences and humanities, including a reading knowledge of German and French. In particular, I communicate on a daily basis with foreigners as a moderator of an international classical guitar forum (about 3,000 members worldwide).
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Pleasants
Email: bob.pleasants@gmail.com
Phone: 919-672-3937
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, working with ESL students, application essays, dissertations/theses, writing for publication
Qualifications
I have a BA in English and a Master's in Teaching English. In addition to working as a Writing Tutor at the UNC Writing Center, I've taught high school English and composition. I have more than seven years of experience tutoring writers and working as an editor. I also have a Ph.D. in Education.
Previous Experience/References
My previous editing work has included work with ESL writers, professional writing, preparing articles for publication (journal articles and book chapters), novels, and application essays for graduate schools.
Kind of Work Preferred
ESL writers, editing manuscripts to prepare for publication, editing theses and dissertations, application essays.
Type of Service
Negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$20-$35
Other Information
I will provide an estimate before I begin. Rush jobs are negotiable. Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.
First Name: Anthony
Last Name: Robbins
Email: andyrobb_1999@yahoo.com
Phone: 919-240-4439
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays, formatting, scientific writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
I am a free-lance editor and researcher for students and professionals in humanities, education, social sciences, and health care.
Editing December 2008-July 2009
- Edited professional article on racial residential demographics in major MSA’s and a paper on the racial identities of black students in advanced math and science high schools
- Edited Occupational Therapy curricula dissertation for a school district in N. Colorado
- Edited promotional copy for a biotech educational company in Cambridge, MA
- Marked 128 three-thousand-word essays from Costa Rica, Canada, Slovakia, U.S., and U. K. for the International Baccalaureate Program (Cardiff, Wales)
- Edited a Master’s thesis about teaching dance methods for a visiting scholar at Duke University
- Edited a dissertation about the paths to leadership positions among female Lumbee native Americans in North Carolina
- Edited a dissertation concerning the risks for cardio-vascular disease among African-American populations in the Bronx, NYC
- Edited a paper concerning diagnostic methods for cervical cancer
- Transcribed from audio interviews from a Danish scholar with African-American farmers from NC and SC regarding U. S. Farmer’s Home Administration practices from the New-Deal period to the present
Previous Experience/References
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Currently I am a free-lance editor and researcher for students and professionals in the humanities, education, the social sciences, and health care. I am also an Examiner for World Literature examinations for the International Baccalaureate Program.
Editing December 2008-July 2009
- Edited articles by University of Maryland Sociology Department member on logistics of racial segregation by residence in major metropolitan statistical areas and an article on the morphology of racial identies of higly achieving studentsin special math and science high schools.
- Edited Occupational Therapy curricula dissertation for a school district in N. Colorado
- Edited promotional copy for a biotech educational company in Cambridge, MA
- Marked 128 three-thousand-word essays from Costa Rica, Canada, Slovakia, U.S., and U. K. for the International Baccalaureate Program (Cardiff, Wales)
- Edited a Master’s thesis about teaching dance methods for a visiting scholar at Duke University
- Edited a dissertation about the paths to leadership positions among female Lumbee native Americans in North Carolina
- Edited a dissertation concerning the risks for cardio-vascular disease among African-American populations in the Bronx, NYC
- Edited a paper concerning diagnostic methods for cervical cancer
- Transcribed from audio interviews from a Danish scholar with African-American farmers from NC and SC regarding U. S. Farmer’s Home Administration practices from the New-Deal period to the present.
OTHER EDITING EXPERIENCE
Assistant General Editor, The Eighteenth Century: A Current Bibliography, n. s. 10. New York: AMS Press, 1989.
CREDENTIALS
My online service, www.Interfolio.com, will send my official transcripts and letters of recommendation to you.
Kind of Work Preferred
Editorial and Research Services:
My services include research in all disciplines, manuscript copy editing and proofreading and writing for publication, English-language tutoring, help with writing resumes and cover letters for job applications, and writing grant applications. For more complete information, go to www.andyrobbinspoetry.com
Type of Service
On-going consultation
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes.
Fees
Negotiable
Fee Range
$20 per hour.
Other Information
I prefer editing and proofreading, although in these processes is necessary sometimes rewriting is. As a tutor, however, I am sensitive coach.
First Name: Fran
Last Name: Salman
Email: fransalman@bellsouth.net
Phone: 919-481-0725
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, formating, theses and dissertations
Qualifications
Copyeditor with over 20 years’ experience. Extensive knowledge of grammar, style, punctuation, tone, and voice. Skilled at working with writers to elicit their message. Adept in helping nonnative English speakers transform their ideas into standard English. Translator from Spanish to English.
Previous Experience/References
- Freelance experience working with doctoral candidates on theses, using Chicago’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
- Copyedited scholarly journals for American Psychological Association, for style in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; consistency of references; tables & figures; author queries. Proofread set copy; corrected and marked for printer’s errors. Worked within strict deadlines. Collaborated in preparing APA style book.
- Translated annual reports for the Chilean Stock Exchange, from Spanish to English, working with industry-specific terminology and language.
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
No
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$25
Other Information
Having lived in Chile for 12 years, I am especially good with ESL writers. I also completed Georgetown University's certificate program in, "Teaching ESL," which is part of their master's of Linguistics.
First Name:Steve
Last Name:Schlosnagle
Email: steve.schlosnagle@yahoo.com
Phone: 919-883-4834
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays, formatting, scientific writing, technical writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication.
Qualifications
I'm both a writer and an editor. I've written a 400-page history, technical specifications for a log home restoration project, sales copy, construction and data entry manuals, and numerous grant applications. I've edited copy for a national language arts journal, for a variety of organization newsletters, for a book of transcribed health interviews, and for press releases at an arts agency. I've taught English composition to community college students, and I've worked with graduate students seeking to improve written language skills. My wife teaches English as a second language.
Previous Experience/References
For the past thirteen years, I've served as the executive director of the Garrett County Arts Council in western Maryland. Current staff and board members should be happy to provide references. Contact is through the council's website at www.garrettarts.com.
Kind of Work Preferred
I'm interested both in tutoring students to help them develop effective writing skills and in editing the papers of students requiring assistance for proper grammar and clear communication.
Type of Service
Drop-off service, on-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable.
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fee Range
$30-$40
Other Information
I'm friendly, experienced, and reliable. I enjoy helping my clients transcend their writing challenges.
First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Shestak
Email: eshestak@mac.com
Phone: 919 237-3900
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative writing, general editing, tutoring, international students, application essays, formatting, scientific writing, technical writing, theses and dissertations, writing for publication, typing/transcription
Qualifications
With degrees in Creative Writing and International Affairs from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a Masters of Journalism from the University of Maryland, I am experienced in writing and editing fiction, creative non-fiction, essays, grants, poetry and business documents. As a self-employed writer and editor, I am able to accommodate people's schedules. I enjoy the process of both coaching and editing, and am happy to be as hands-on, or off, as the client wishes.
Previous Experience/References
- Personal assistant to Frances Mayes, author of "Under the Tuscan Sun;" have done editing and organizational work for her, francesmayes@mac.com
- Grant editing for Maki Asano, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Tumor Microenvironment Program, The OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular Cellular Biochemistry
- College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Science, Ohio State University, 614-688-4164, maki.asano@osumc.edu
- Erin Morgan - practicing lawyer in the State of California, have assisted her with various resume and cover letter edits, ms.erinmorgan@gmail.com
- Ashley King, PhD - edited and formatted applications and test results regarding her national certification as a member of the American Board of Professional Psychology, ashleykingphd@mac.com
Kind of Work Preferred
I enjoy editing work in any phase of completion, and have found working with ESL writers particularly pleasurable. My personal strengths as a writer involve the use of narrative - real story-telling.
Type of Service
Drop-off service, on-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes
Fees
Per hour
Fee Range
$25-40
First Name: Celisa
Last Name: Steele
Email: celisa@steelcob.com
Phone: 919.451.0075
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, international students, formatting, typing/transcription
Qualifications
Master of Arts in Comparative Literature, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998
Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Arts in French, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, 1996
Previous Experience/References
A passion for the written word has informed my life ever since I learned to read and write, and I love to help others express themselves effectively and eloquently. My editing experience spans 15 years. I've edited full-length textbooks, conference proceedings, and poetry collections; served as editor in chief for an online journal (see The Sophist); written marketing materials; and worked on numerous newsletters.
Kind of Work Preferred
Higher-level editing combined with copyediting
Projects with non-native English speakers
Type of Service
Negotiable
Preferred Method of Interaction
Email, face-to-face, or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
By hour; negotiable
Fee Range
$30 to $60
Other Information
I worked in International Student and Scholar Services at UNC in 1998 and 1999. That experience and my love of foreign travel and languages—I've studied French, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and Kiswahili—have exposed me to many non-native English speakers.
First Name: Amy
Last Name: Strong
Email: strongediting@gmail.com
Phone: (919) 419-9807
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative nonfiction, memoir, food writing, theses and dissertations, general editing, writing for publication
Qualifications
Previous Experience/References
Over 15 years of experience as a professional writer and editor in the humanities, and social sciences.
Kind of Work Preferred
Developmental editing, writing for publication, turning a dissertation into a book, research assistance
Type of Service
On-going consultation, brief consultation included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Interaction
Email, face-to-face, or phone
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee
Fees
By hour
Fee Range
$50 to $100
Other Information
I can work closely with you to edit short pieces or full-length manuscripts, and every project is customized to fit your needs. I work with authors at every stage of the process, from conception to publication. Whether you’re working through the early stages of an idea, stuck in the middle of a work-in-progress, or finished with a first draft that needs more polish, I can help you finish the job.
First Name: Carol
Last Name: Winkelman
Email: cwink@mindspring.com
Phone: (919) 968-3491
Specialty Areas/Categories
Creative Writing, General Editing, Tutoring, International Students, Application Essays, Scientific Writing, Technical Writing, Theses and Dissertations, Writing for Publication
Qualifications
20 years of experience as a writer, writing coach, editor, and writing instructor. My coaching style is patient, encouraging and resourceful. I try to make my coaching style fit the needs of the writer.
Academic background and teaching experience
I have a broad background in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. My B.A. degree, from the New School University, was in literature and social science. I also studied pre-med biology at UCLA. I received an M.A. and completed the two additional years of coursework toward the Ph.D. in English Literature at the University of California at Irvine. I taught writing courses for four years as a T.A. and four years as a lecturer. I taught a course in argumentation and proposal writing (which has provided a useful background for editing dissertations, proposals, and books) and developed and taught a science writing course for biology majors.
After moving to North Carolina, I taught composition, science writing, technical editing, travel writing and medical journalism at Duke and UNC.
ESL Experience
I have taught high school students, college students, and professionals who speak English as a second language. My students at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles (the school depicted in the film "Stand and Deliver") came from Mexican-American backgrounds and spoke Spanish as a first language.
At UCLA and UC Irvine, I tutored students who spoke Spanish or Asian languages. I now teach workshops designed for researchers who speak English as a second language.
Editing/Coaching Experience
I've edited manuscripts in a variety of subjects-from computer science and nanotechnology to art history. For the last seven years, I have coached scientists, art historians, and graduate students. I specialize in teaching scientific/medical writing workshops to grad students, researchers, and faculty members and in offering individual and group coaching conferences (at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard Medical School, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of North Carolina, the University of Wisconsin, and others). However, I still enjoy coaching in the humanities, the social sciences, and creative writing.
Articles I've edited have been published in Nature, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Cell, Cancer Research, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and others.
Writing Background
I am an award-winning freelance writer (specializing in medicine, nature, and travel) and the author of two books. My articles have appeared in newspapers such as The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, The Globe and Mail, and The Los Angeles Times and in L.A. Style and Southern Exposure magazines.
I like to work with individuals and with research teams. I feel at home with prose and poetry, so poets are welcome.
Previous Experience/References
- University of California Irvine—4 years as T.A., 5 years as lecturer, 2 years as Mentor Teacher/Administrator. Instructor: Composition, Humanities Core Course, Literature survey, Advanced expository Writing, Technical Writing, Communications in the Biological Sciences.
Reference: Julia Allen, Ph.D. Professor (retired) - Duke University—about 4 years.
Composition—freshman and advanced, science writing, medical journalism, travel writing - UNC—School of Journalism—2 years teaching Technical Editing
(Reference: Jane Brown, Ph.D.) - NIH-National Cancer Institute,Coach/Workshop Instructor, biomedical writing
(Jonathan Weist, Associate Director for Training and Education, National Cancer Institute) - Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—1 year teaching grant writing workshops to postdocs and junior faculty and ESL.
Reference: Laura Liberman MD, FACR, Director Program for Women Faculty Affairs, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - Writing Coach for postdoc and for John Sondek, Ph.D. Resulted in two publications—one in Nature. UNC Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine
Kind of Work Preferred
Coaching/editing. Academic papers and creative non-fiction. I enjoy working with students or researchers who are writing journal articles, papers, reports, proposals, cover letters, fellowship and other applications, Power Point presentations, posters, and dissertations in a variety of disciplines: the sciences, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, public health, the humanities, social science, and physical therapy. I also enjoy working with aspiring writers who are writing non-fiction or creative non-fiction about their lives, travel, nature, etc.
Grant coaching/editing. I have taught grant writing for the last seven years at universities and research institutes, and I enjoy working with individual researchers to help them "sell their science" to NIH, HRSA, and a variety of foundations (Burroughs Welcome, the American Heart Association, etc). I frequently work with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Child health and Human Development, I edit/coach by phone, email, and in person. I have also edited proposals in the humanities and social sciences.
ESL coaching/editing. I enjoy coaching writers who speak English as a second language. I focus on sentence structure and styles of argumentation (that change from culture to culture) that are essential to publishing in English language journals or writing dissertations and term papers.
Type of Service
Drop-off Service, On-going Consultation Possible, Brief Consultation Included, Services Negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Email or phone.
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, with an extra fee.
Fees
Per hour; negotiable
Fee Range
$30 and up. Negotiable, depending on type of work.
First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Witherspoon
Email: witherse@verizon.net
Phone: 919-382-0797
Specialty Areas/Categories
General editing, tutoring, formatting, theses and dissertations, writing for publication
Qualifications
I have 20+ years experience as a writer, editor, journalist, professional communicator in business, government and nonprofit and as a published academic and teacher of writing (PhD in Mass Communication, UNC). I have authored and co-authored refereed conference papers, journal articles and book chapters. I have taught business communication, public relations writing and communications courses as well as tutored privately. I love to work with both students and academic professionals.
Previous Experience/References
- Adjunct Instructor, public relations writing, UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication (Jan Yopp, PhD; Dulcie Straughan, PhD; Tom Bowers, PhD, ret., references)
- Assistant Professor, School of Communication, Elon University
- Instructor, business communication, Kenan-Flagler School of Business
- Graduate assistant, editing documents, UNC School of Public Health (Rosemary Summers, PhD, reference)
- Media Relations Specialist, Volvo Penta of the Americas, Inc.
- Interim public relations specialist, City of Norfolk, Va.
- Director of Communications, Nevada Association of Realtors
- Director of Communications & Education, Tidewater Association of Realtors (Va.)
- Associate Editor, weekly lifestyle magazine, Landmark Communications, Inc.
- Freelance writer, Baton Rouge, La.
Kind of Work Preferred
Editing (light copyediting to heavier organizational work) theses, dissertations (with permission of advisor), conference papers, journal articles and book chapters, will coach/tutor undergraduates but will not directly edit papers to be turned in for class credit.
Type of Service
Drop-off service, on-going consultation, brief consultations included, services negotiable
Preferred Method of Contact
Last Minute Requests?
Yes, extra fee may apply
Fees
Per hour, negotiable
Other Information
Though a quick study and generalist in terms of many topics, I have special interests in media and public health issues and helping business writers organize and polish their work.