English editing for academics
Your research deserves to be read.
Not corrected into obscurity.
Rigorous editing for journal articles, monographs, grant applications, and conference papers - from a qualified English editor who understands the standards of international publication and works closely with academics writing in their second or third language.
Discuss your manuscript See what's includedThe kind of note your manuscript should come back with
What I offer
Editing shaped to how academics actually work
Whether you're preparing a submission, revising after peer review, or writing for the first time in English, the service is calibrated to where you are in the process - not a one-size-fits-all pass.
Manuscript editing
Sentence-level clarity, register, flow, and consistency for journal article submissions. Preserves your voice and argument while meeting the expectations of English-language reviewers.
Substantive editing
Deeper structural work: paragraph organisation, transitions, abstract and conclusion shaping. For manuscripts where the ideas are strong but the architecture needs attention.
Grant applications
Competitive funding applications demand a particular clarity and persuasion. I edit for precision, accessibility to non-specialist panels, and the register that reviewers expect.
Proofreading
A final, careful read before submission: spelling, punctuation, formatting consistency, reference style, and anything that slipped through earlier rounds.
Thesis & dissertation editing
Chapter-by-chapter or full document editing for doctoral and postdoctoral candidates, with turnaround options suited to submission deadlines.
Post-review revision support
Reviewers have asked for revisions. I help you respond clearly and strengthen the manuscript for the next round - including drafting the response letter if needed.
How it works
Simple, responsive, and built around your deadline
Academic publishing has its own rhythms and pressures. The process here is designed to be friction-free, starting with a no-obligation conversation about your work and timeline.
Send me your manuscript
Email your document along with a brief note about the target journal or funder, your deadline, and any specific concerns. A sample chapter is fine for larger projects.
Receive a clear quote
Within one working day, you'll have a fixed fee and a confirmed delivery date. No per-word rate surprises - the quote reflects the work the document actually needs.
Editing with Track Changes
All edits are delivered in Word with Track Changes so you see and understand every change. A short editorial note accompanies the document explaining key decisions.
One round of follow-up included
If anything in the edited manuscript raises questions, you can come back to me. A brief review of the accepted changes is included in every project.
Ewa ShephardAn editor who takes the work seriously
I'm Ewa Shephard - a qualified English editor and communications professional with over 25 years of experience working with academics, institutions, and organisations that need to communicate with precision and authority.
I hold a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and I've worked across sectors ranging from finance to the sciences. I'm based in southern Europe and work primarily with academics in Italy and across the EU.
I work in English as a native-level editor while understanding the particular challenges faced by academics writing in their second language - which means I edit to reveal the strength of your thinking, not to overwrite it.