Thank you for visiting my website and this page to learn more about me!

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I'm Tara, and I'm passionate about the world of words. As a resident of beautiful Vancouver Island, I'm surrounded by the natural beauty that often inspires creativity. Yet, my true sanctuary has always been found within the pages of a well-written book. Bookstores, with their shelves filled with possibilities, have consistently been one of my favourite places to be. One of my greatest joys is helping authors bring their words to life. I find immense satisfaction in refining and polishing manuscripts, ensuring they're in the best possible shape for readers to enjoy.

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My lifelong passion for language, editing, and proofreading has driven me to dedicate over six years to learning the skills required to become an exceptional editor and proofreader, serving both emerging and established authors. I've developed a keen eye for errors in writing, understanding how to spot them and, more importantly, how to correct them. I hold a Queen's University Professional Editing Standards Certificate and a TESOL/TEFL (English as a Second Language) Teaching Certificate.

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My expertise extends to both Canadian and American English spelling and punctuation rules. While The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, is the typical style guide for fiction, I can adapt to your preferred guide or even create a unique style sheet for your project. I believe in transparency and helping you make an informed decision about working together. That's why I offer a free 1000-word sample of my editing, giving you a glimpse of how I would enhance your manuscript. Additionally, I offer flexible payment options and discounts for multiple projects.

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As a member of the Indigenous Editors Association, I'm deeply committed to upholding the essential guiding principles when collaborating with Indigenous authors. This commitment extends beyond conventional editing; it's about fostering an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and cultural sensitivity in the editing process. I firmly believe in the importance of preserving the unique voices and perspectives of Indigenous authors while ensuring their narratives are authentically conveyed.

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As a proud member of ACES: The Society for Editing and as an editor who is committed to continual learning, I stay informed of industry trends and best practices, ensuring the highest standards in my editorial work.

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Whether you have a work of fiction or non-fiction, a memoir, a spiritual story, or a children's or youth story, I'd be thrilled to help you refine and polish it for publication. If your work has been translated and now needs editing to read smoothly in English, count on me to assist. Beyond this, I also handle various other editing and proofreading projects, such as business copy, in-house magazines, websites, and recipe books.

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I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with you—to help your words shine and bring your stories to life.

 

If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to me at tara@dottediting.com. Let's embark on this book publishing journey together!