Editing for Excellence
My goal as a freelance editor is to ensure the best possible presentation of your work, in your voice.
That means I pay careful attention not only to what you say, but to the way in which you want to express it. Whether you’re using clear, objective prose or lyrical, evocative imagery, I will help you to ensure that the underlying structure is firm and strong, that the phrasing flows, that the meaning emerges clearly.
I offer not just technical corrections, but suggestions for taking your work to the next level of excellence.
To that end, I also offer support and consulting via video call for authors who find this helpful.
Services
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final, careful check before publication. It includes scanning for punctuation, capitalization, and stylistic bloopers, as well as typos. I use editing mode to track all changes, and will query any possible errors or ambiguities as well.
Ensure that your work appears to best advantage!
Copyediting
Copyediting involves reviewing the structure and style of a complete draft in need of polishing. At this stage I'll offer suggestions for improving logical flow, paragraph cohesion, and sentence style.
I am available as well by video call to discuss bigger changes or further developments.
Developmental Editing
For the writing project that needs help to come to completion. Working closely with you to understand the vision, I offer coaching to bring it to fulfillment.
In addition to a careful reading of the text and extensive commentary, I am available for video calls and followup review of the final draft.
Specialization
Theology/Philosophy
I have several years of experience in proofreading academic writing and have also worked extensively with authors whose first language is not English.
This, as well as my background in Theology and Philosophy makes me alert to the meaning and implications of the text. In these fields, small ambiguities in phrasing – even if perfectly correct grammatically – can cause confusion and even outright error on a level that automatic translating or editing technology (or even a human translator or editor unfamiliar with the field) will not pick up.
Fiction
"Whenever I read a book or a passage that particularly pleased me, in which a thing was said or an effect rendered with propriety, in which there was either some conspicuous force or some happy distinction in the style, I must sit down at once and set myself to ape that quality. I was unsuccessful, and I knew it; and tried again, and was again unsuccessful and always unsuccessful; but at least in these vain bouts, I got some practice in rhythm, in harmony, in construction and the co-ordination of parts. I have thus played the sedulous ape to Hazlitt, to Lamb, to Wordsworth, to Sir Thomas Browne, to Defoe, to Hawthorne, to Montaigne, to Baudelaire and to Obermann…. That, like it or not, is the way to learn to write...."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
Following Robert Louis Stevenson's advice has been my own approach to learning to write fiction. It's taught me at least the craft of writing!
About me
Hello! I'm Bernadette O'Brien.
I'm a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, with a degree in Liberal Arts.
From 2017 to 2024, I was the editorial assistant of Church, Communication and Culture, the SCOPUS-indexed academic review of communications at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome. In this position, I edited and proofread all articles published in English.
Since 2019, I have been freelance editing both fiction and non-fiction books for publication.
Trained by the Voyages in English series in grade school, and inspired by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson and P. G. Wodehouse, I've always enjoyed the challenge and delight of using the English language as a precision instrument.
See below what clients say!
What clients say
*click on the images to go to the webpages of the titles shown below*
Fiction
"If your book isn’t springing fully formed out of your head, but is turning out to be a difficult birth, Bernadette’s deft literary midwifery may be just what you need. Attentive and abounding in suggestions, Bernadette has the necessary tact for the delicate task of the author’s auxiliary: helping you finish the job, not trying to do your job for you. My best recommendation is the fact that after my first novel, I hired Bernadette again for my second, a much easier delivery made even smoother by her sympathetic engagement and meticulous textual eye. All good books ought to be Berned!"
Non-fiction Books
"I am very pleased with Bernadette O'Brien's professionalism in editing the English translation of my book. Not only was it technically well done, but I also noticed her interest and ability to address the topics in depth. I appreciate her comments and suggestions on points that were unclear to an English-speaking audience, which undoubtedly contributed to enriching the text."
"Not Alone was first published in German. Peter Blank's book combined a high stylistic level, theological precision and a special ability to reach the reader's head and heart. It was then translated into English, which was grammatically correct but did not do justice to the original. As the editor responsible for the book—after the author's death—I engaged Bernadette O’Brien to do the revision work. She had the ability to grasp the author’s intentions and background, combined with a pronounced ability to communicate effectively. Thanks to her excellent editorial work, we now have this book of spirituality in engaging and reader-friendly English. I highly recommend working with her."
Prof. Alberto Gil
Academic Articles and Essays
"I have been fortunate to work with Bernadette while she was Assistant Editor of the academic journal Church, Communication & Culture for six years (2018-2024); in 2018 while I was Associate Editor, and since 2019 while I have been Editor-in-Chief. And I can say that the experience has always been highly positive, both in terms of proofreading and secretarial tasks. Bernadette is passionate about her work, precise and meticulous. She is also a good listener, patient and extremely kind. It has been a pleasure working with her."
Rates
Contact me for a quote on your specific project!
A quote will take into account the type of service requested, the complexity and condition of the text, and the level of support desired by the author.
Contact me
bern@bookbernediting.com