Service

I provide a highly professional service and I do so with absolute kindness and enthusiasm. I am unfailingly honest—in the end, it is my job to help you improve your work in the best way possible—but I always provide constructive feedback that takes your writing to the next level. I take deadlines seriously, respond to emails promptly, and value clear communication.

Quality

I have several years’ professional experience as an editor and translator of fiction, non-fiction, and academic writing, having worked on anything from trilogies and short stories to dissertations and theses, and from handbooks and blog posts to restaurant menus. As a writing coach, I have mentored fiction and non-fiction authors, academic researchers, and students.

Integrity

Being a writer myself, I understand the worries writers have regarding the intellectual property of their work. Keeping your work confidential and secure is a top priority for me; I treat your work with as much respect and care as I do my own. It goes without saying that everything discussed during any calls or coaching sessions is entirely confidential as well.

Passion

As an editor, a writing coach, a translator, a writer, and an avid reader with a degree in English literature, it is safe to say I am absolutely in love with language and what it can do. There is nothing I enjoy more than getting untold stories out of writers; helping writers find the right voice for their projects; and making sure they use their words in the best possible way.

On academic language coaching

Mariëlle worked on my Research Master Thesis for the University of Utrecht. She was amazing to work with because she explained, in an accessible and efficient way, how to be aware of errors that are made throughout the writing process. She has formulated a custom-made editing system for my specific needs. This has proven to be an incredibly valuable and useful system for getting my thesis to a required master level. Her interdisciplinary experience in several academic fields make her contributions and feedback very valuable. I am proud of the work I have delivered by implementing Mariëlle’s editing advise. I have enjoyed working with Mariëlle and I will definitely consult her in the future.

Emilie van Heydoorn, the Netherlands

2017-09-23T14:36:16+02:00

Emilie van Heydoorn, the Netherlands

On academic language coaching Mariëlle worked on my Research Master Thesis for the University of Utrecht. She was amazing to work with because she explained, in an accessible and efficient way, how to be aware of errors that are made throughout the writing process. She has formulated a custom-made editing system for my specific needs. This has proven to be an incredibly valuable and useful system for getting my thesis to a required master level. Her interdisciplinary experience in several academic fields make her contributions and feedback very valuable. I am proud of the work I have delivered by implementing Mariëlle’s editing advise. I have enjoyed working with Mariëlle and I will definitely consult her in the future.
On developmental editing

Plot holes are a thing of the past when I work with Mariëlle. She edited my book Murder in Triangle City and I hired her for the entire subsequent trilogy, that's how good her eye for story is. She is my company's only developmental editor and I wouldn't trust anyone else with my books.

Ric Beard, United States

Layer2Publishing

2016-10-21T17:27:40+02:00

Ric Beard, United States

Layer2Publishing

On developmental editing Plot holes are a thing of the past when I work with Mariëlle. She edited my book Murder in Triangle City and I hired her for the entire subsequent trilogy, that's how good her eye for story is. She is my company's only developmental editor and I wouldn't trust anyone else with my books.
On mentoring & developmental editing

What I love about working with Mariëlle on my project (a novel) is that she understands where you want to go with it. She has the ability to immerse herself in your work and treat it as she would her own work—with respect and enthusiasm—while she doesn't shrink back to ask all the right questions and give clear and constructive feedback. She really joins you on your way to the final version that you envision for yourself.

Kathelijne Schoonackers, the Netherlands

2016-08-11T14:27:24+02:00

Kathelijne Schoonackers, the Netherlands

On mentoring & developmental editing What I love about working with Mariëlle on my project (a novel) is that she understands where you want to go with it. She has the ability to immerse herself in your work and treat it as she would her own work—with respect and enthusiasm—while she doesn't shrink back to ask all the right questions and give clear and constructive feedback. She really joins you on your way to the final version that you envision for yourself.
On developmental editing

Highly recommend Mariëlle! Her notes were so helpful, confirming many of my own concerns but it was the Skype session where I was really able to brainstorm with her and 'fix' some of the issues. She is so thoughtful and is WELL worth the investment for any writer.

Tiffany Tripson, the United States

2018-05-19T14:01:21+02:00

Tiffany Tripson, the United States

On developmental editing Highly recommend Mariëlle! Her notes were so helpful, confirming many of my own concerns but it was the Skype session where I was really able to brainstorm with her and 'fix' some of the issues. She is so thoughtful and is WELL worth the investment for any writer.
On mentoring & critiquing 

Working with Mariëlle is like making your way along a path in the dark and suddenly being handed a light. Obstacles, road blocks, and pitfalls that were lying ahead and waiting to trip you up are illuminated. More importantly, all the possible ways to overcome them, as well as new and exciting paths you wouldn’t otherwise have seen also become visible. She doesn’t tell you what to write; she asks the right questions to get you to figure out what your story needs and how to go about it. She’s also helped me work out a writing schedule personally tailored to my needs and held me accountable—exactly what I needed. Working with Mariëlle motivates me and gets me excited to write.

Michelle Anne Laurie, United Kingdom

2016-07-08T17:45:39+02:00

Michelle Anne Laurie, United Kingdom

On mentoring & critiquing  Working with Mariëlle is like making your way along a path in the dark and suddenly being handed a light. Obstacles, road blocks, and pitfalls that were lying ahead and waiting to trip you up are illuminated. More importantly, all the possible ways to overcome them, as well as new and exciting paths you wouldn’t otherwise have seen also become visible. She doesn’t tell you what to write; she asks the right questions to get you to figure out what your story needs and how to go about it. She’s also helped me work out a writing schedule personally tailored to my needs and held me accountable—exactly what I needed. Working with Mariëlle motivates me and gets me excited to write.
On academic language coaching

Mariëlle worked fast and her language editing was thorough and careful. Her knowledge of my academic field (gender studies) was an added benefit, as she was able to spot the misspelling of an author's name. I really appreciate that, next to correcting mistakes in the text itself, she provided an overview of repeated spelling mistakes and explained the rules behind them. This approach allows you to actually 'learn from your mistakes' and hopefully avoid them in the future.

Katrine Smiet, the Netherlands

2016-08-17T18:37:41+02:00

Katrine Smiet, the Netherlands

On academic language coaching Mariëlle worked fast and her language editing was thorough and careful. Her knowledge of my academic field (gender studies) was an added benefit, as she was able to spot the misspelling of an author's name. I really appreciate that, next to correcting mistakes in the text itself, she provided an overview of repeated spelling mistakes and explained the rules behind them. This approach allows you to actually 'learn from your mistakes' and hopefully avoid them in the future.
On critiquing

Mariëlle did a pass on a short story I wrote. I was floored by the extent and depth of her feedback. I'd add a list of positive adverbs and adjectives to describe her excellent work, but I know she'd just tell me to cut them. (She'd also make me cut that 'just' from the last sentence but since this is my review it stays.)

She has a great eye for both the high level developmental needs of a story that can be hard to pin down and the line by line details that we tend to overlook even after multiple rewrites. I look forward to Mariëlle whipping my novels into shape and know that her insight and feedback will be invaluable. Thanks Mariëlle. - Rob

Rob Laman, Canada

2017-09-26T08:46:14+02:00

Rob Laman, Canada

On critiquing Mariëlle did a pass on a short story I wrote. I was floored by the extent and depth of her feedback. I'd add a list of positive adverbs and adjectives to describe her excellent work, but I know she'd just tell me to cut them. (She'd also make me cut that 'just' from the last sentence but since this is my review it stays.) She has a great eye for both the high level developmental needs of a story that can be hard to pin down and the line by line details that we tend to overlook even after multiple rewrites. I look forward to Mariëlle whipping my novels into shape and know that her insight and feedback will be invaluable. Thanks Mariëlle. - Rob
On translating

Mariëlle translated our website text and we're very happy with the results. She was fast, precise and very helpful: even when we wanted to make some changes in her text (due to our own creative process), she was very supportive.

André Weenink, Being A Designer, The Netherlands  

2018-02-22T11:07:55+01:00

André Weenink, Being A Designer, The Netherlands  

On translating Mariëlle translated our website text and we're very happy with the results. She was fast, precise and very helpful: even when we wanted to make some changes in her text (due to our own creative process), she was very supportive.
On developmental editing

I’ve been working with Mariëlle for near a year now. Her work with my manuscript and advice is priceless. She’s prompt in response even though we live several time zones apart.

Sìne Màiri Ni Ailpin, Canada

2018-02-18T10:40:13+01:00

Sìne Màiri Ni Ailpin, Canada

On developmental editing I’ve been working with Mariëlle for near a year now. Her work with my manuscript and advice is priceless. She’s prompt in response even though we live several time zones apart.
On developmental editing

I won Marielle’s services through a blog contest she ran for camp nanowrimo. This was my first time using editing services of any kind so I came into the process with wide eyes and an open mind. While I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect, I was not disappointed.

It was a joy to work with Marielle. Her pleasant personality and professionalism put me at ease right away, helping me to really enjoy my editing experience. I found her critique of my novel to be honest and insightful. She picked out the strengths as well as the weaknesses which gave me a more focused direction to tighten my plot and character developments. Her inline edits pointed out where I was heading in the right direction as well as highlighting areas of question.

All in all, I found her services to be concise, fair, and extremely helpful. I absolutely have plans to use her services again in the future.

 

Desiree Donohue, the United States

Author of: The Dragons Mark, YA novel

2017-11-28T20:26:02+01:00

Desiree Donohue, the United States

Author of: The Dragons Mark, YA novel

On developmental editing I won Marielle’s services through a blog contest she ran for camp nanowrimo. This was my first time using editing services of any kind so I came into the process with wide eyes and an open mind. While I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect, I was not disappointed. It was a joy to work with Marielle. Her pleasant personality and professionalism put me at ease right away, helping me to really enjoy my editing experience. I found her critique of my novel to be honest and insightful. She picked out the strengths as well as the weaknesses which gave me a more focused direction to tighten my plot and character developments. Her inline edits pointed out where I was heading in the right direction as well as highlighting areas of question. All in all, I found her services to be concise, fair, and extremely helpful. I absolutely have plans to use her services again in the future.