PhD in Applied Linguistics · Fiction, Nonfiction, Online & Academic Content · US & UK English

Professional Proofreader & Copyeditor for Indie Authors, Creative Entrepreneurs & Academic Writers Professional editing that stays true to your voice.

Professional editing that stays true to your voice.

“María did an incredible job editing my novel. Her efficiency and attention to detail were truly commendable throughout the entire process! Her ability to navigate through the manuscript with both speed and precision was remarkable. She demonstrated an exceptional eye for detail, identifying and rectifying grammatical errors and structural issues with finesse.

I will definitely be back to use María’s editing services in the future. Her professionalism, efficiency, and meticulous attention to detail make her an invaluable asset.”

Shubha S.Indie dystopian author

See how I edit.

An anonymised fiction manuscript showing tracked edits and editorial comments

Rather than simply telling you how I work, allow me to show you.

You can browse a selection of real proofreading and copyediting projects, including fiction, academic writing, and professional content. Each example shows edits and editorial comments from real client work.

Explore my portfolio

Your work is approached with respect…

Words with something worth saying.

01

Books & literary writing

Books & literary writing: novels, short stories, novellas, and other fiction formats

02

Children’s books

Children’s books: picture books, board books, and early readers

03

Academic writing

Academic writing: journal articles, theses, dissertations, and textbooks

04

Online & professional content

Online & professional content: websites, blogs, newsletters, social media posts, transcripts, and subtitles

Preferred genres & topics

Literary fiction · Dystopian fiction · Adventure & travel · Psychology & personal development · Entrepreneurship · Linguistics · Mindfulness & wellbeing · Lifestyle

Putting good, meaningful, well-written content and stories out there is my mission.

If you believe the world can be made a better place by telling the right stories—and telling them well—I am right here to support you.

The right level of editorial care.

Every project is unique. Whether you are an indie or self-publishing author, a creative entrepreneur, or an academic researcher looking for a proofread, a copyedit, a children’s book edit or support with academic references and formatting, let me help you make your message shine through by making sure that the details are professionally taken care of.

  • Free, no-obligation proposal within 24–48 hours
  • Clear pricing and projected completion date before any work begins
  • Editing delivered with Track Changes and a clean copy of your document
  • One follow-up review included with all paid services
  • Quick turnaround: 5–7 business days for short projects; larger projects quoted individually
  • A 50% booking deposit to secure your project, with the remaining balance invoiced upon final delivery
01

Up to 2,500 words

Short Text Review

A professional edit for shorter pieces of writing.

Provided that your written work is 2,500 words or less, you can benefit from a fixed price. This service is perfectly suited for writers who need professional editing on a smaller project without committing to long-form per-word pricing. It’s an excellent option for shorter pieces of writing, from website articles, blog posts, newsletters, and website pages to short stories, essays, and sample chapters.

Short Text Proofread$50Short Text Proofread & Copyedit$70
02

Final quality check

Full Proofread

For writing that's already been edited and needs a final quality check.

Your writing is completely finished, but you need a second pair of eyes to make sure that your text is clean, reads smoothly and that no typos, misplaced punctuation, wrong formatting or typography make it to your readers.

This service is ideal for authors preparing a manuscript for publication (fiction or nonfiction), researchers submitting academic work such as theses or journal articles, or businesses publishing client-facing content.

Per 1,000 words$25
04

Submission-ready scholarship

Academic Reference & Formatting Review

A scholarly edit to help prepare your paper for submission.

You are preparing an article, thesis, or dissertation and want to ensure your citations and formatting meet academic or journal requirements. I will review your completed text, checking that your references, in-text citations, and formatting are accurate, consistent, and aligned with the required style. This service supports editing for research papers, theses, and journal submissions.

This service is particularly helpful for writers working under strict university or journal formatting requirements. Whether you are working with APA, MLA, or another citation style, I will ensure consistency throughout your document.

This service can be booked on its own or combined with the Proofreading & Copyediting service.

Base review fee$50Per reference+$2
05

Ages 0–6

Children’s Book Editing

Specialised proofreading & copyediting for children’s books.

Children’s books constitute their own universe, and they require a very particular kind of care. Every word matters, and even small changes can affect the rhythm, meaning, and reading experience.

This service combines careful copyediting and proofreading with specialised attention to age-appropriate language, natural rhythm and flow (including read-aloud quality), repetition and phrasing.

This service is for authors preparing board books, picture books, or early readers for publication, read-aloud sessions, or submission to publishers.

Up to 500 words$50501–1,000 words$601,001–2,000 words$70Over 2,000 wordsCustom quote
Optional add-on

E-book Formatting

Are you publishing both print and digital editions? If doing so, your project needs another review. Add an e-book formatting and quality-control pass to your editing project.

I’ll review the digital version from beginning to end, checking for formatting and consistency issues that can arise during conversion, including spacing, paragraph and line breaks, fonts and font sizes, headings, links, images and any other elements that may affect the reading experience.

This service can also be booked separately if your manuscript has already been edited and formatted for print.

From $100Ask me about adding e-book formatting to your project

Every project is unique. If your writing doesn't fit one of the services above or you're unsure which type of editing would benefit your work most, I'd be happy to recommend the most appropriate option.

“María did an excellent job. She delivered on time, and I was very happy about the final result. I highly recommend her work.”
F. FlorezCreative entrepreneur
“I am very happy with the service received. I contacted María through her website, and she immediately replied saying that she could help me with the editing of my academic text. Very quick turnaround and excellent value for money. Highly recommended.”
Dr. D. OrtizAssistant Professor at Zaragoza University

Experience my editing style before committing to a full project.

Choosing the right editor is an important decision. A Free Sample Edit gives both of us the opportunity to see whether we're a good fit. It allows you to experience my editing style on your own writing while helping me assess the level of editing your project requires.

Send me up to 500 words, and I'll return them professionally proofread and copyedited using Track Changes—free of charge and with no obligation to book a full edit afterwards.

Send me your sample

Your sample edit includes

  • Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax corrections
  • Improvements to flow
  • Consistency checks
  • Brief editorial comments where useful

You'll receive

  • An edited document with Track Changes
  • A clean copy
  • A personalized style sheet (where appropriate)

Most sample edits are returned within 2–4 business days. If your sample is unusually technical or requires specialist knowledge, I'll let you know before I begin.

What happens next?

If you decide you'd like me to edit the rest of your project, I'll prepare a personalized editing proposal outlining the recommended service, project fee, turnaround time, and next steps.

If not, that's perfectly fine. The sample edit is genuinely offered without obligation.

The sample edit is intended for writers considering a larger editing project. I’m unable to provide free feedback on complete manuscripts, chapters, or extensive revisions.

Hi! I’m María.

I'm a professional proofreader and copyeditor with a PhD in Applied Linguistics. I specialize in editing fiction manuscripts, children's books, blogs, and newsletters, as well as academic papers, journal articles, theses, and dissertations. But long before becoming an editor, I was already what you might call a bookworm.

I’m a lifelong book lover. Literature has been a source of companionship and wisdom ever since I was a child, and I believe in the unparalleled power of the written word to improve our lives in countless ways, whether through fiction or nonfiction. Perhaps that's why I never tire of reading the classics. They continue to surprise me with their ability to transport us across ages and into different ways of seeing the world, allowing us to experience countless lives without leaving our homes. When it comes to contemporary fiction, I particularly enjoy postmodern fiction and magical realism. I find alternative realities fascinating.

My love of words extends well beyond reading. I think of myself as a philologist—a language lover—and I hope to make my own small contribution to the written word by helping every piece of writing I edit become the strongest version of itself. Other than editing, I am interested in early and second language acquisition, comparative linguistics, etymology, phonetics and phonology, and, of course, other languages—I speak English, Spanish and French. My PhD research explored the benefits of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in teaching English as a Foreign Language.

A clear path from draft to delivery.

  1. 01

    Send your text

    Send me a sample of your work, along with your total word count, the service(s) needed, and your preferred deadline.

  2. 02

    Receive your proposal within 24–48 hours

    I’ll closely review your text and send you a professional editing proposal with pricing, timeline, and recommendations.

  3. 03

    Your edit begins

    Let’s get started! Once scheduled, I’ll start working on your text using Track Changes. I will also create a personalized style sheet where applicable.

  4. 04

    Receive your edited files

    You’ll receive an edited document with tracked changes and comments included, a clean copy for your final review and publication, and a personalized style sheet (if applicable).

Would you rather discuss what you need over video?

Book a 15-minute consultation call with me, no commitment required

Selected, anonymised work.

Here are selected excerpts from real editing projects, anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Each sample comes from a project that included both copyediting and proofreading. The tracked revisions and editorial comments are representative of the work I typically do.

Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction · Length: 9,000-word manuscript excerpt · English: British English

Fiction Manuscript

Challenge: To improve formatting, consistency and narrative continuity across the edited manuscript.

What changed?
  • Resolved inconsistencies in character details, terminology, and timeline references (including conflicting details about key figures and plot points)
  • Improved sentence flow
  • Corrected grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typographical errors
  • Standardized style, capitalization, and British English usage throughout
  • Strengthened the manuscript by refining awkward phrasing and eliminating unnecessary repetition
Results

The manuscript became more consistent and easier to read. The author received a professionally copyedited manuscript with tracked changes and editorial comments to support revision, as well as a personalized style sheet for future reference.

Genre: Literary Fiction · Length: 520 words · English: British English

Literary Short Story

Challenge: To refine the language and sentence flow of a literary short story while preserving its subtle tone and emotional resonance.

What changed?
  • Improved sentence structure by resolving run-on sentences and awkward phrasing
  • Corrected grammar, punctuation, spelling, and tense inconsistencies
  • Enhanced precision by identifying passages that needed more exact wording or fuller explanation
  • Ensured consistency in narration, timeline, and word choice throughout the story
  • Added editorial comments with revision suggestions while preserving the author’s distinctive style and tone
Results

This short story became more cohesive. Its readability was improved and its narrative flow became stronger while maintaining the author’s understated literary style.

Subject: Political Economy · Length: 871 words · English: British English

Research-Based Online Article

Challenge: To edit a research-focused article containing specialized terminology, quotations, and references. The text required both close linguistic polishing and the review of academic formatting conventions (citations and reference list).

What changed?
  • Reviewed in-text citations and the reference list for consistency; flagged missing references and areas needing author verification
  • Improved grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
  • Added editorial queries to highlight ambiguous wording, missing information, and issues requiring author review
  • Standardized terminology, spelling, and style
  • Strengthened overall readability while preserving the author’s academic register
Results

The article now presents improved readability, consistent academic style, and comprehensive editorial feedback to support the author's revisions.

Subject: Linguistics · Length: 113 words · English: American English

Academic Abstract

Challenge: To edit a concise, terminology-rich abstract while preserving the precision of the author’s linguistic analysis and ensuring complex ideas remained accessible to an academic audience.

What changed?
  • Strengthened academic style by suggesting more precise and idiomatic word choices
  • Refined grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for greater fluency
  • Ensured consistency in spelling, terminology, and American English usage
  • Clarified wording by resolving unclear antecedents and improving sentence precision
  • Added editorial comments to explain suggested revisions and support the author’s decision-making
Results

The final abstract was improved with stronger academic language, smoother flow, and clearer communication of the research while preserving the author's scholarly intent.

Subject: Linguistics · Length: Multi-chapter book excerpt · English: American English

Academic Book Chapter: Language Documentation & Revitalisation

Challenge: To apply consistent academic and style-guide conventions to a terminology-rich, practical guide written for community language workers, and to maintain its accessible and encouraging tone.

What changed?
  • Improved sentence flow
  • Corrected grammar, punctuation, spelling, and minor inconsistencies
  • Standardized the treatment of technical linguistic terms and related style conventions throughout
  • Ensured consistency in cross-references, section numbering, and presentation of examples
  • Strengthened clarity by refining awkward phrasing and aligning the text with established style guidelines
Results

This resource for community language workers is now more consistent and professionally presented. Technical content is now uniformly handled, and the text remains practical and accessible.

Subject: Linguistics · Length: Full chapter excerpt · English: American English

Academic Book Chapter: Code-Switching

Challenge: To refine a dense, citation-heavy academic chapter containing specialized terminology, cross-references, and multilingual examples while preserving scholarly precision and the author’s analytical framing.

What changed?
  • Refined grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for greater fluency and academic polish
  • Standardized the treatment of specialized linguistic terminology and scholarly formalities (citations, example numbering)
  • Clarified wording and resolved minor inconsistencies
  • Ensured consistency in spelling, style, and presentation of complex material
  • Added editorial comments to support the author’s decision-making on style and presentation choices
Results

The chapter now follows consistent terminology and style conventions, with clearer presentation of the technical material.

Good questions deserve clear answers.

What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process. The text has already been critically analyzed for developmental and structural issues, voice and style, paragraph and sentence structure, and any sections requiring further work have been revised or rewritten. Now it needs its final quality check before it can be published. During the proofreading stage, I will correct any remaining errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, typography & formatting. I will also flag obvious factual errors and make sure that the text adheres to a style sheet if applicable. Graphs, images, tables, charts, and illustrations will also be reviewed for editorial consistency and obvious errors.

However, the copyediting stage goes further. It requires research and deeper knowledge on the part of the editor, who checks readily verifiable facts where appropriate and raises queries where information appears inaccurate or inconsistent. Unlike proofreading, grammatically suboptimal sentences may be reworded at this stage to improve syntax, and particular attention is paid to the writer’s voice and personal style to make sure it is steady throughout the manuscript. In addition, a personalized style sheet is created, both to be of aid in the editing process and to be used as a reference by the author in future writing.

If you feel that your text is already quite clean, a Full Proofread will make sure it’s ready to go. If you’d like your writing to read more smoothly, sound more consistent, and fully engage your reader, you’ll benefit most from the Proofreading & Copyediting service.

Do you offer a copyedit without a proofread?

No, I don’t. I can proofread without copyediting, but don’t offer copyediting as a standalone service. This is because changes at the copyediting level can introduce new surface errors. I prefer to handle both in one workflow, first refining the text and adding queries wherever needed while building a style sheet, then carrying out a final proofread to catch any remaining errors.

What kind of projects do you take on?

I work with creative, professional and academic writing. On the creative side, I provide manuscript editing services for short stories, novellas, children’s picture books, novels, and memoirs, always paying close attention to respecting the writer’s voice and style. I also work extensively with business and academic writing, including blogs, newsletters, website copy, manuals, guides, and industry reports, as well as journal articles, theses, dissertations, textbooks, monographs, and conference papers.

Who do you work with?

I work with indie and self-publishing authors, creative entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and professionals. My background as a proofreader and copyeditor with a PhD in Applied Linguistics allows me to work comfortably across creative, professional and academic writing. Whether you are developing a research paper, a novel, a newsletter, or website content, I can help you publish with confidence.

How are editing services priced?

Most long-form projects are priced using per-word editing rates, while shorter texts (up to 2,500 words) are available at fixed rates. My current pricing is:

  • Full Proofread: $25 per 1,000 words
  • Proofreading & Copyediting: $35 per 1,000 words

Specialized services, such as Academic Reference & Formatting Review or Children's Book Editing, have their own pricing structure. Every personalized proposal includes a breakdown of costs, so you'll always know what to expect before any work begins.

What is the minimum project fee, and why do you have one?

My minimum project fee is $50. Every editing project, regardless of its length, involves time spent reviewing the text and assessing the level of work it requires, preparing files, carrying out the edit, communicating with the client, and performing final quality checks before delivery. For shorter texts, this minimum fee also allows me to offer professional editing at a fixed price while maintaining the same detailed approach that I bring to every project.

What is a booking deposit? Is it refundable?

A booking deposit is an advance payment that reserves time for your project in my editing schedule. Once I accept your project, I set aside dedicated time to work on it, which means I may not be able to take on other work during that period. For this reason, booking deposits are nonrefundable. The amount will always be clearly stated in your proposal and deducted from your final invoice, so you only pay the remaining balance once the project is complete.

How long will my edit take?

Turnaround times depend on the length and complexity of your project, but you'll always receive a clear timeline before work begins. Shorter texts are usually returned within 5–7 business days, while books and longer academic projects are quoted individually.

To ensure every project receives the level of care and attention it deserves, I limit the number of clients I work with at any one time. If your project has a deadline, please let me know as early as possible so I can do my best to accommodate it.

What happens after I receive my edited document?

Every service includes one follow-up revision, giving you the opportunity to ask questions about the edits, discuss any comments or queries, and request clarification or corrections if I have misunderstood your intended meaning or overlooked an issue during the original editing process. To make the most of this revision, please send your feedback and questions together in one consolidated response within 14 calendar days of receiving your edited files.

The included revision covers clarification of my edits and corrections or adjustments directly related to the original scope of work. If you make substantial changes to your text after delivery, add new material, request extensive changes to reflect new stylistic preferences, or require an additional round of editing, I'll be happy to provide a separate proposal before any further work begins.

What is a personalized style sheet?

A personalized style sheet (also known as a style guide) is a document that I create during the copyediting process to ensure your text remains consistent from beginning to end. It records editorial decisions relating to spelling conventions, word usage, formatting, language variety (US or UK English), voice, brand preferences (where applicable), and any other style choices specific to your project. You will receive a copy of your personalized style sheet with your edited document so it can serve as a useful reference for future revisions or writing projects.

What formats do you work with?

My online proofreading services are usually delivered through Microsoft Word and its Track Changes tool. When proofreading only, I can also work with PDF files when appropriate—though a clean copy will not be provided along with the document with suggested edits. If you prefer to work with a different format or if you’re unsure of how the Track Changes tool works, please let me know.

Do you offer e-book formatting?

Yes. E-book formatting is available as an add-on to proofreading or copyediting projects, particularly for authors preparing both print and digital editions. It can also be booked separately if your manuscript has already been edited and formatted for print.

I review the digital version from beginning to end, checking its formatting, consistency, and overall reading experience, and flagging issues that may have arisen during conversion.

Pricing depends on the length and complexity of the project.

Can you edit in US and UK English?

Yes. I regularly proofread and copyedit in both US and UK English. I'll edit your document according to your preferred variety and ensure consistency throughout the text.

Why are prices stated in US dollars?

Most of the clients I work with use US dollars, so it made sense to set my prices in that currency. However, if you would prefer to work in a different currency, that is no problem at all. Just let me know.

Why do you provide a Free Sample Edit?

I understand that choosing the right editor is an important decision. A Free Sample Edit allows you to see how I work before committing to a larger project, giving you the confidence that your writing is in capable hands. There's no obligation—just an opportunity to decide whether we're a good fit for each other.

Will my work be treated with confidentiality?

Absolutely. I treat every project with the utmost confidentiality and will never share your work, personal information, or project details without your permission. Likewise, I will never copy and paste your text onto an AI-detection website or software.

If your project requires additional protection, I'm also happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before any work begins. Your writing will be handled with professionalism and discretion throughout the editing process.

Do editors use AI?

I will never use AI to proofread or copyedit client work. I take pride in my skills and continually work to keep them sharp. That's why I work on every edit manually, using my own editorial judgment and experience. I consult dictionaries, style guides, and other relevant sources personally rather than relying on automated editing tools.

However, I can work with AI-generated content and help make it sound more natural, more human, and more like you.

AI Policy

AI-assisted writing is here and will be with us for the foreseeable future. The pros and cons of outsourcing our writing and our creativity to AI are, in my view, worth debating at great length and depth. As a philologist, the documented loss of linguistic diversity that has been linked to the widespread adoption of large language models (LLMs) as writing assistants stands out as a concern. This is not, however, the space for such a debate. (I’d be delighted to continue this conversation with you elsewhere, though!)

My editing process is entirely human-based for a variety of reasons, the main one being that I take pride in my editing skills. I work hard to keep them sharp; therefore, I make sure to manually consult dictionaries, style guides, reference books, and specialized references whenever research is required. I want to keep my craft human and my brain strong in the AI era.

I understand that many of my clients have incorporated AI into their workflow for a variety of reasons, from planning and scheduling to actually outsourcing some of their writing. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that texts written by AI sound … well, robotic! They are soulless, trite, unoriginal, disengaging, you name it. They lack a certain something that readers need in order to engage with the content they’re reading. If AI did any of the actual writing, in addition to regular proofreading and copyediting, some adjustments must be made to infuse the text with some kind of freshness and humanity. Where and how—it depends on what AI was used for.

As a proofreader and copyeditor, I can help with that. For the last couple of years, I have paid close attention to AI development and the kind of language output it provides, such as specific patterns that emerge time and again in AI-generated writing. As I’ve come to understand it, it is now part of my professional development as an editor to keep up with it and to be able to recognize and adapt AI-assisted writing, smoothing out issues and imbuing some creativity into the text to ensure it remains relatable and engaging to its human audience. This is a skill that differs from traditional proofreading and copyediting because it adds new layers of nuance and complexity.

AI-generated texts differ from one another depending on how AI was used. If you need a human editor for your AI-generated text, be sure to let me know when requesting a quotation so I can assess the text appropriately, learn more about your particular needs, and account for any additional editorial work it may require.

Do you edit AI-generated or AI-assisted writing?

Yes. I edit AI-generated and AI-assisted writing. Content written by AI always needs to be reviewed by a human editor to make sure it sounds fresh and consistent, and to ensure accuracy. If you’ve ever paid close attention to AI-generated writing, you’ll have noticed that it sounds repetitive, dull, and unimaginative. I can review AI-assisted writing to improve its overall naturalness while identifying issues that require human attention.

Why choose a professional human editor?

AI cannot replace high-quality human editing services. The way these models are trained—on predictability—doesn’t account for the subtle nuances and context sensitivity that texts require. And, of course, the more literary the style, the less suitable it becomes for machine editing.

Proofreading or copyediting aren’t exact sciences, either. If you’ve ever witnessed editors passionately debating the use of a single comma or hyphen, you must have noticed that often there are unclear rules or conflicting ones regarding any aspect of the written language. There is a degree of human creativity in editing—which is one of the things I love most about my work, by the way. Every editorial suggestion should take context, audience, and individual style into account.

By working with me, you can be confident that your work is reviewed personally. Wherever your project falls on the human–AI creative spectrum, my goal remains the same: to help your text read more naturally while still sounding like you.

Looking for a professional human editor?

Tell me about your project

Looking for a freelance editor?

My online editing services allow us to work together wherever you are based.

Getting started is simple. Tell me a little about your project, and I’ll get back to you with a personalized proposal outlining the recommended editing service, pricing, turnaround time, and next steps.

Choose the option that works best for you:

Prefer to talk things through?

Book a free 15-minute project call.

Schedule a short call to discuss your writing project, editing needs, and timeline. I’ll answer your questions and help you decide what kind of editing support is right for you.

Book your free call

I look forward to hearing about your writing project.

Still deciding? You might want to browse my FAQs or get a Free Sample Edit first.