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 editing

I wholeheartedly recommend M.S. Wordsmith. It’s not just that Mariëlle provides good and efficient editing within the academic sphere. I find it particularly pleasant that she is respectful in regards to the texts, and the thoughts and desires of her customers. She’s able to be empathetic and deliver relevant critical comments at the same time.

 

Yolanda van Tilborgh, the Netherlands

2016-07-08T17:20:50+02:00

Yolanda van Tilborgh, the Netherlands

On academic editing I wholeheartedly recommend M.S. Wordsmith. It’s not just that Mariëlle provides good and efficient editing within the academic sphere. I find it particularly pleasant that she is respectful in regards to the texts, and the thoughts and desires of her customers. She’s able to be empathetic and deliver relevant critical comments at the same time.  
On developmental editing

You’ll get more than notes in a void. With this service you’ll actually get someone who’ll be a collaborator with your work, who cares about the narrative.

Antoine Bandele, the United States

2018-05-16T22:26:52+02:00

Antoine Bandele, the United States

On developmental editing You’ll get more than notes in a void. With this service you’ll actually get someone who’ll be a collaborator with your work, who cares about the narrative.
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 academic language coaching

Mariëlle worked on my PhD dissertation and she was just the perfect language editor. She's meticulous in her corrections as much as respectful of the text and its author. She pays extreme attention to details while at the same time taking great care of the meaning that I, as author, wanted to convey. So, her perfectionism was never imposed on the text at the expense of its nuances. The fact that she is entirely familiar with my field of academic research (gender studies, postcolonial studies, critical theory) certainly helped, together with her ethics and expertise as editor. Thanks for your work!

Gianmaria Colpani, Italy

2017-06-04T21:32:48+02:00

Gianmaria Colpani, Italy

On academic language coaching Mariëlle worked on my PhD dissertation and she was just the perfect language editor. She's meticulous in her corrections as much as respectful of the text and its author. She pays extreme attention to details while at the same time taking great care of the meaning that I, as author, wanted to convey. So, her perfectionism was never imposed on the text at the expense of its nuances. The fact that she is entirely familiar with my field of academic research (gender studies, postcolonial studies, critical theory) certainly helped, together with her ethics and expertise as editor. Thanks for your work!
On academic editing

Mariëlle is very quick and accurate in checking academic work. Although she, at first, was only going to do a spelling check, Mariëlle also looked at the structure of my thesis and, where necessary, gave feedback on the content from a scientific perspective. When writing your own thesis, sooner or later you have to deal with the 'tunnel vision' syndrome. Mariëlle, from her own perspective, has provided a fresh look on my own written work. Her constructive criticism gave me new insights, and she always explained why her small improvements to my work were relevant and would add value. Mariëlle's scientific insights and knowledge are a quality that helped me enormously to reach a good end result.

Jeroen Walraven, the Netherlands

2016-07-08T17:36:16+02:00

Jeroen Walraven, the Netherlands

On academic editing Mariëlle is very quick and accurate in checking academic work. Although she, at first, was only going to do a spelling check, Mariëlle also looked at the structure of my thesis and, where necessary, gave feedback on the content from a scientific perspective. When writing your own thesis, sooner or later you have to deal with the 'tunnel vision' syndrome. Mariëlle, from her own perspective, has provided a fresh look on my own written work. Her constructive criticism gave me new insights, and she always explained why her small improvements to my work were relevant and would add value. Mariëlle's scientific insights and knowledge are a quality that helped me enormously to reach a good end result.
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 academic editing

I am also very much indebted to Mariëlle Smith, who edited the entire manuscript (except for this paragraph!) in the space of a few weeks. The quality of the English prose has been significantly enhanced through her meticulous work. Furthermore, as a native Dutch speaker, she found many great solutions for translations of my respondents' often idiosyncratic phrasing.

Marcel van den Haak, the Netherlands, in the Acknowledgements section of his dissertation

2016-07-08T17:29:19+02:00

Marcel van den Haak, the Netherlands, in the Acknowledgements section of his dissertation

On academic editing I am also very much indebted to Mariëlle Smith, who edited the entire manuscript (except for this paragraph!) in the space of a few weeks. The quality of the English prose has been significantly enhanced through her meticulous work. Furthermore, as a native Dutch speaker, she found many great solutions for translations of my respondents' often idiosyncratic phrasing.
On developmental editing

Mariëlle delivered a full developmental edit on my cozy mystery MURDER ON LOAN this past winter. When I sent it to her, I knew it had problems— there were places in the manuscript that didn’t work. I probably could have fiddled with it by myself for another year, but I’d have lost a year and still not articulated the problems as well as Mariëlle did. Her evaluation clarified my next steps, and it helped me understand why some things weren’t working in the novel. She asked thoughtful questions throughout the manuscript which guided my revisions. I have been overwhelmed in revision in the past, but this time, in just a few months of revision I am almost finished with a third draft and moving forward in the process much faster than ever before. I am so thankful to have found a strong, responsive, and invaluable developmental editor in Mariëlle. I will definitely be hiring her again.

Sue Larkins Weems, the United States

 

2017-06-04T21:26:17+02:00

Sue Larkins Weems, the United States

 

On developmental editing Mariëlle delivered a full developmental edit on my cozy mystery MURDER ON LOAN this past winter. When I sent it to her, I knew it had problems— there were places in the manuscript that didn’t work. I probably could have fiddled with it by myself for another year, but I’d have lost a year and still not articulated the problems as well as Mariëlle did. Her evaluation clarified my next steps, and it helped me understand why some things weren’t working in the novel. She asked thoughtful questions throughout the manuscript which guided my revisions. I have been overwhelmed in revision in the past, but this time, in just a few months of revision I am almost finished with a third draft and moving forward in the process much faster than ever before. I am so thankful to have found a strong, responsive, and invaluable developmental editor in Mariëlle. I will definitely be hiring her again.
On translating

Mariëlle Smith is an incredibly fine and clear translator. She reads up on the topic well, and is therefore greatly connected to the material. She tunes in to the author in a very considerate way. When she encounters something in the text that is not entirely clear, she will reach out via e-mail. In that, she is very concrete and elaborates on the different options for translation. As such, it is easy for the author to relate to the text and reach the correct translation. She works smoothly and accurately and is not afraid to be corrected. She is great in thinking along, and come up with new, inspiring suggestions in the event of alterations. Her use of language is beautiful. Very well recommended!

Frouk Riemersma, the Netherlands

2016-09-17T15:10:21+02:00

Frouk Riemersma, the Netherlands

On translating Mariëlle Smith is an incredibly fine and clear translator. She reads up on the topic well, and is therefore greatly connected to the material. She tunes in to the author in a very considerate way. When she encounters something in the text that is not entirely clear, she will reach out via e-mail. In that, she is very concrete and elaborates on the different options for translation. As such, it is easy for the author to relate to the text and reach the correct translation. She works smoothly and accurately and is not afraid to be corrected. She is great in thinking along, and come up with new, inspiring suggestions in the event of alterations. Her use of language is beautiful. Very well recommended!
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