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

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 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 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 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 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

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 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

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 developmental editing

What is the top priority of a relationship between myself, the author, and my editor? Everything! Marielle is the perfect editor for me. She knows her craft. My three book series needed help in the story structure. Marielle did the developmental edit for each book and for the series overall. Her suggestions have been spot on. She has helped tighten my story and how I tell it by keeping me on track and consistent in my voice. Good job there, thanks!
Her communication has been outstanding. She's always been timely and quick to answer any of my questions. Just as important to me is her sense of humor. She understands.
One of my original concerns was my writing in American English and Marielle is in the Netherlands. No worries, she is proficient – way ahead of me. All in all, I'm a very happy camper. I look forward to a long relationship with her in my camp and hoping she'll stay with me through my writing career.

Randy L. Scott, the United States

2017-06-04T21:30:30+02:00

Randy L. Scott, the United States

On developmental editing What is the top priority of a relationship between myself, the author, and my editor? Everything! Marielle is the perfect editor for me. She knows her craft. My three book series needed help in the story structure. Marielle did the developmental edit for each book and for the series overall. Her suggestions have been spot on. She has helped tighten my story and how I tell it by keeping me on track and consistent in my voice. Good job there, thanks! Her communication has been outstanding. She's always been timely and quick to answer any of my questions. Just as important to me is her sense of humor. She understands. One of my original concerns was my writing in American English and Marielle is in the Netherlands. No worries, she is proficient – way ahead of me. All in all, I'm a very happy camper. I look forward to a long relationship with her in my camp and hoping she'll stay with me through my writing career.
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.