Esther L.

I am an editor, proofreader, coach, and mentor specialising in academic work. I edit theses and dissertations, academic articles, essays, presentations, and any other material that requires a professional eye and constructive criticism. I provide extensive feedback on how to improve your writing. I also provide coaching and mentoring in the research and writing process. I hold a PhD in Celtic Studies (specialising in linguistics) from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a BA in Celtic Studies from Utrecht University, the Netherlands. I have over 12 years experience as a professional academic editor and 17 years of experience in teaching and research at University level, including at the National University of Ireland, Galway, at Ghent University, Belgium, and at Aberystwyth University, Wales (UK). Academic writing and research is hard work that can be not only intellectually demanding, but also emotionally challenging. I understand the realities of academia, not just the standards, conventions, and style guides, but also the pressure and the insecurities. I give no-nonsense, honest, and critical feedback, but I always maintain a constructive, kind and sensitive tone. I will not only tell you what you are doing wrong, but also what you are doing right. My services: I edit for grammar, spelling and punctuation, but also for style, structure and content. I ensure that your work is completed to the highest academic standards and I tell you when the order of elements in paragraphs or even chapters is confusing, asking you to clarify or strengthen argumentation where needed. I encourage critical thinking, will question your assumptions, and show you the gaps in your arguments. I encourage and direct your own writing, in your own voice, showcasing your strengths and improving your weaknesses. I have edited, proofread, and corrected essays, theses and articles in the humanities, social sciences, business studies (including legal and economic material), computer sciences, and medical sciences. I am always delighted to learn something new and am more than willing to take on work in other subjects. I am very familiar with a variety of academic standards. I work in British, American and Hiberno (Irish) English. If you need work corrected in another variety of English, please get in touch and we will see what we can do. I use track changes in MS Word or Google Docs. In some cases, I can work in Overleaf. Please contact me to discuss this. I charge $0.045 per word for academic editing and proofreading and provide a 20% discount for pieces over 50,000 words and a 40% discount for pieces over 80,000 words. My experience: I have undertaken academic research and taught at University since 2006. This means that I have looked at the writing process from both sides: the research and writing process, and the teaching and correcting aspect. I have taught language, literature, and history. I have provided tutorials in essay writing and coached students in critical thinking, forming a coherent and logical argument and expressing themselves at an academic level. My work ethic: I am invested in my work and pride myself on doing it well. I am honest, reliable and pay close attention to detail. I provide thorough, effective and practical feedback. I enjoy both the work and the working relationships. I take my clients and the work seriously to enable you to thrive and to perform to the best of your abilities.