What I do
editing & proofreading
Hi, I’m RJ.
With my background in publishing, printing, teaching, and writing, I’m here to help you deliver your message.
Let’s get started today.
Why do I need an editor or proofreader?
Language is an incredibly versatile tool that can be used to communicate all kinds of ideas. A trained and experienced editor/proofreader like me is skilled with all aspects of language, from the nitty-gritty details of punctuation to the larger nuances of meaning and message. I can help not just with “correcting” your writing but also with ensuring that you are communicating exactly what you want to communicate to your audience as clearly and as effectively as possible.
Services
Deliver your message.
Copy editing
Copy editing sharpens the focus and clarity of your writing to create maximum impact.
Copy editing looks at the structure, word choice, and formatting of a piece of writing, and can include research and fact-checking, depending on what is right for your project.
With copy editing, I’ll check for errors and compliance with your selected style (including house style), but I’ll also provide suggestions about word choice, as well as sentence and paragraph structure.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final step before a piece of writing is ready for the public: it’s like the last check before leaving your house to make sure you have your keys, wallet, and phone.
With proofreading, I’ll check for and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting, but I won’t offer suggestions in terms of structure or meaning.
Testimonials
Polished and authentic
RJ gives a project just the right amount of polish while retaining the voice of the author. They reliably meet tight deadlines. They are a pleasure to work with!
Kathryn Blair
Digital Learning Policy Analyst
Timely problem-solver
I have observed how RJ skillfully manages the challenge of having a large and varied workload, quickly turning around small requests while also completing larger tasks and independent research activities ahead of schedule. RJ has exceptional research and problem-solving skills.
Stephanie Boragina
Online Learning Consultant
Detail-oriented and helpful
Working with RJ has been an absolute pleasure. They have an incredible eye for detail, catching things most people would miss, and they do it in a way that feels helpful rather than nit-picky.
Gitanjali Shanbhag
Manager, Postdoctoral Affairs and Programming Development
FAQs
What are your specific qualifications?
Academically, I have a PhD in English literature from the University of Toronto (2018). Professionally, I worked as an in-house Copy Editor at the Centre for Extended Learning at the University of Waterloo (2022-2025), providing a wide range of editing and proofreading services. I also worked as a Publishing Assistant for the Journals division of University of Toronto Press (2007-2009), where I proofread two academic journals, as well as as a Typesetter for Bowne of Canada (2006-2007). I currently teach communications at Conestoga College (2021-ongoing) and previously taught English and writing at the University of Toronto (2015-2017).
How much do you charge?
Every project is unique. Contact me to discuss a free quote for your project today.
What software do you use?
For copy editing, I usually work in a Word document using Track Changes. For proofreading, I usually work with a marked-up PDF. However, if your project has different requirements, please contact me to discuss those further.
How long does the process take?
I can accommodate different timelines. Contact me to discuss your project’s requirements today.
What kind of documents do you have experience working with?
I have experience working with a wide range of documents. As a proofreader, I’ve worked with academic publications, specifically academic journals. As a copy editor, I’ve worked with postsecondary teaching materials. As a typesetter, I applied house style to financial and business documents. I’ve also worked with closed captioning transcripts both as a copy editor and as an NER marker.
What style guide and/or dictionary do you use?
I have experience with a wide range of academic style guides, including MLA, APA, Chicago, and IEEE. I’ve also worked with a variety of house styles, as well as the Canadian Oxford Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary. However, I can work with whatever guide(s) are right for your project.
Do I have to accept all of your changes?
Absolutely not — everything is a suggestion. When copy editing, all changes will be visible to you, and you can choose to accept or reject them. Suggestions for meaning and structure would be included as comments, so you can have a look at them before deciding whether to implement them. For proofreading, the changes will be marked up on a PDF, so you can choose to include them in the final version of the document or not.
Do you use AI?
No, I do not use AI in any aspect of my copy editing or proofreading practice.
Quote
Ready to take your writing to the next level?
Let’s discuss your project today.
RJ McArthur 