Nadine Roxanne Ryan
Freelance Editing and Writing
Vision
Storying and worlding
I hope to collaborate with and offer support to kindred storytellers, with attention to and care for cultural, community, and land-based knowledges.
Following teachers such as xwu’p’a’lich Barbara Higgins, Lee Maracle, and Thomas King, I recognize that words are sacred and that we are co-created with and through our stories. Stories create, words create, thoughts create. We need to consider the affects and effects of the worlds we story, what we are creating, and where we want our creations to take us.
About Me
My roots extend from the West Coast of what is now called Canada, from shíshálh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh swiya (Sechelt and Squamish lands). My ancestors were shíshálh people and European settlers. Spanning different lands and cultures, I'm a blend of my familial and geographic affiliations: shíshálh, Skwxwú7mesh, Chilean, and Mexican communities. And, now that I'm working remotely in Toronto, I'm grateful to the Mississauga's of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat for taking care of the lands where I reside as an uninvited guest. These relationships inform and guide my work and aspirations.
I've had several years of experience editing and writing. I began editing for peers in university while completing my Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Anthropology at York University in Toronto, and I started writing during and alongside my university education. Over the years, I've developed my skills by presenting and publishing ethnographic and art projects, and in working as an Editor and Peer Reviewer for Contingent Horizons: The York University Student Journal of Anthropology (Volumes 4 and 5), as well as a copy editor and assistant editor for for the Inuit Art Foundation. Currently, I'm a member and the director of the Indigenous Editors Association.
My Approach
The framework for my services is grounded in creating respectful and responsible relationships. I prioritize attention to and care for cultural, community, and land-based knowledges in my editing and writing practices. I approach my work from the perspective of collaboration, offering support in the development of various projects in terms of style, content, and message. I work with each client to determine their personal preferences; I can do as much or as little as desired. My clients have included scholars, artists, and business people requiring the skills to edit and draft a wide range of works. I've had the opportunity to work with people for whom English is their second or third language, and I'm enthusiastic about supporting efforts to Indigenize, complicate, and experiment with English language conventions. In this respect, I'm guided by Gloria Anzaldúa's Borderlands/La Frontera, Daniel Heath Justice's Why Indigenous Literatures Matter, and Gregory Younging's Elements of Indigenous Style.
A select list of my current and past editorial work is available on my Project History page.
I'm proud that many of the academic projects I have collaborated on have received awards and award nominations.
Types of projects I have experience working on include:
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Articles and Books
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Bios and Statements
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Business Plans, Policies, and Protocols
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Course Outlines
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Conference Papers and Presentations
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Cover Letters, CVs, and Resumes
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Exhibition and Residency Applications
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Grant and Project Proposals
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Teaching Dossiers
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Theses and Dissertations
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Social Media Posts
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Speeches
Editing Services
My rate is determined on a project-to-project basis. Please email me to discuss your requirements and goals, and to inquire about pricing.
Developmental/Substantive Editing
Providing detailed feedback for the broad scope of the work by focusing on enhancing the work as a whole. Developmental editing addresses larger issues such as structure, theme, scope and narrative and concept building; I also address sensitivity and respect regarding representation. In this phase of editing I may make changes and suggestions to improve the structure and development of the work, helping you to layer (or build) your themes and concepts in a cohesive way. This is the most time consuming phase of editing.
Copyediting
Focusing on word choice and order, phrasing and tone and voice; I also addresses clarity, wordiness and repetition. This often involves reordering sentences and paragraphs, and advising on, or revising, language and phrasing.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final phase of editing. When proofreading, I review the final draft (or "proof") for consistency and accuracy. This process involves checking for errors and inconsistency in grammar, spelling and punctuation, as well as approving the formatting of a final draft.
Work Flow
I work best in phases or layers, depending on the needs and wishes of each author. Typically, upon first read I consider the structure and flow of the work and offer guidance on the development of the project. Following any structural rearranging and development, I perform copy editing. And finally, I proofread the entire document. During the developmental and copy editing phases I may recommend an additional round of editing. And, at any point, I'm happy to walk the author through my suggestions and comments over the phone or by email.
Quick breakdown in phases:
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Developmental/Substantive editing
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Copy editing
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Proofreading
Track-Changes and Notes
I like to work with the track-changes function and comment boxes in a Word document to edit and make revision suggestions. With developmental editing, I often summarize my notes in a separate document I call "Editor Notes."
Please inquire if you need instructions on how to work with track-changes.
Time-Frames
Time-frames for returning edited documents are determined on a project-to-project basis, depending on your needs and requests, and my availability.
If you have time constraints and require a quick turnaround, please reach out and we can discuss this possibility and short-notice rates.
Writing Services
I have experience preparing newsletters, annual reports, business reports, marketing and advertising material, art and book reviews, and social media content, to name a few.
My rate is determined on a project-to-project basis. Please email me to discuss your requirements and goals, and to inquire about pricing.
Short Form Copy/Content
Short form content is less than 1000 words and intended for quick consumption, often online. Some examples of the short form content I've created include: social media posts, emails and internal communication materials, and website content.
Long Form Copy/Content
Long form content is more that 1000 words. Some examples from my experience include: copy for resumes and cover letters, various types of reports, and grant writing.
Transcribing
Creating a transcription of recorded material. If you have a short interview, presentation, email or personal correspondence to write up, I can help.
But please note: I do not provide live transcription services.
Work Flow
In order to provide thoughtful and accurate work, I begin with wide-spanning research to develop an understanding of the subject area and/or topic. Then I begin drafting the copy, fact-checking as I go. And finally, I edit and proofread my own work to ensure I have produced a succinct piece that flows in a clear and direct manner.
Quick breakdown:
1. Research
2. Writing
3. Editing
Time-frames
Time-frames for producing copy/content are determined on a project-to-project basis, depending on your needs and requests, and my availability. Generally I require 2 weeks turnaround time for small projects.
If you have time constraints and require a quick turnaround, please reach out and we can discuss this possibility and short-notice rates.