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 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 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 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 critiquing

I write blogs for my own website and, at first, I had no idea how to put the information I had in my head on the page in a coherent way. Mariëlle really helped me with finding my own style, and structuring and putting together a story, whether it was personal or informative. In the meantime, I have started to write articles for magazines, so you could say I found my voice!

Denise de With, The Netherlands

2016-08-14T10:24:47+02:00

Denise de With, The Netherlands

On critiquing I write blogs for my own website and, at first, I had no idea how to put the information I had in my head on the page in a coherent way. Mariëlle really helped me with finding my own style, and structuring and putting together a story, whether it was personal or informative. In the meantime, I have started to write articles for magazines, so you could say I found my voice!
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

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 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 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!