Hire the Best Copy Editors

Hi, I’m Eimear—a freelance editor, proofreader, and story-shaper. With 10+ years of experience in writing, editing, and proofreading across corporate and creative spaces, I specialize in transforming manuscripts into polished, engaging, and publication-ready work—while preserving the author’s voice. I hold a Master’s in Journalism and have completed the Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing, bringing strong judgment, accuracy, and narrative sensitivity to every project. My areas of expertise include: ✍🏻 Line & Copy Editing I refine sentences for clarity, flow, tone, grammar, and consistency, enhancing readability while preserving your unique voice. ✍🏻 Developmental Editing I provide thoughtful, constructive feedback on plot, character development, pacing, and overall storytelling—always respecting your vision. ✍🏻 Beta Reading You’ll receive concise, actionable notes on pacing, clarity, engagement, and overall flow. ✍🏻 Proofreading A meticulous final review focused on spelling, punctuation, grammar, and minor inconsistencies. If you’re searching for a freelance editor who prioritizes clear communication, detailed feedback, and supportive guidance, I’d love to hear more about your project. Testimonials: "Eimear is an exceptional editor, with excellent consistency, a strong eye for detail, and the ability to provide insightful feedback in a clear and thoughtful way. A fantastic editor anyone would be lucky to work with!" "I have worked with many copy editors in the past and Eimear was one of the best." "An exceptionally intelligent and helpful beta-reader. Provided highly nuanced points that made me think. Highly, highly recommended."

You could call me a "Content/Document Improvement Specialist." Because of my 25+ years experience in writing, editing, and document creation & development consulting, I can pretty much review and improve any written content thrown at me. I can help you with simple proofreading and formatting to perfect your final draft, assist you with copy editing to ensure you exactly express what you want to say, support you with structural editing to make sure your content elements flow correctly to achieve your objectives, and team up with you in case you are stuck and need someone to help you write missing parts. I would be happy to come alongside you to help you make your content the best it can be. EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS: A. Diverse Content: ○ Academic: books, monographs, case studies, book chapters, instructor’s guides, journal articles, conference presentations, curriculum & course materials, and master theses and Ph.D. dissertations. ○ Business & Research: research reports, strategic plans, work plans, proposals, requests for proposals, business cases, and communications. ○ Technical: software user guides, how-to instructions, training material, business analysis documentation, process flows, and testing documentation. ○ Learning Content: storyboards, scripts, eLearning courses, assessments and quizzes, best practices, participant and trainer guides, FAQs, process/procure user guides, presentation slides, design documents, flyers and posters, surveys and forms, websites/webpages, and video close captions and on-screen text. B. Advanced Editing and QC Capabilities: ○ Performing all editing methods/techniques, including structural content edits, developmental editing, detailed copy edits, and proofreading and formatting. ○ Reviewing and editing a multitude of different types of content, documentation, and material in accordance with established standards, guidelines, and checklists. ○ Editing content for grammar, accuracy, consistency, structure, flow, conformity to standards, and effective use of language to meet audience objectives. ○ Coordinating and consolidating edits and feedback comments from multiple content reviewers, developers, and SMEs. ○ Proofreading transcribed materials by comparing them to original audio and video narrations. ○ Using comment creation, management, and resolution functionalities in applications such as MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat to streamline content updates. ○ Developing new content standards, style guides, and review guidelines/checklists.

I’m all about words. Choosing the right one for the right moment can be magical. Punctuating all of them correctly is essential—I'm a huge fan of the Oxford comma. As a professional copy editor, my job is to help you put the right pieces in the right places. I love to read and consume large amounts of media from a variety of sources and genres; some great, some poor, all educational. Struggling to fine-tune your non-fiction manuscript? Not sure if your fictional plot is interesting? Let me help. I have a high volume of clients and am up-to-date on reader preferences and good branding strategies. I admit to having a soft spot for YA fantasy/sci-fi writers, so contact me about your passion project! If you are contacting me for work: • I choose my clients carefully through a simple interview process: you send me a sample of your writing, I send you a critique, and we decide if we can stand each other. • If we move forward with the project, come prepared, you will get true edits. • I am tough and thorough. My job is to make you look good. • Everything happens in Google docs, MS Word, Pages, or Scrivener using editing tools so you have complete control over any changes. • I do not ghostwrite but I will help you find your voice because it needs to be heard.

Top-Rated Developmental & Copy Editor for Memoir and Nonfiction Books Your ideas are powerful. Let's make sure your book does them justice. Memoir and nonfiction authors come to me when they have something meaningful to say — but need a trusted editorial partner to help them say it with clarity, structure, and impact. I'm Barakat, a Top-Rated developmental and copy editor on Upwork, specializing in memoir and nonfiction. Over the past two years, I've worked with authors on manuscripts ranging from focused nonfiction guides to full-length books, helping them transform raw drafts into polished, reader-ready work. One client said it best: "Barakat went above and beyond the assignment. She provided me exactly what I needed and helped shape my direction." Whether your book is about business, personal growth, lived experience, or hard-earned expertise — I'll help you structure it clearly, refine it professionally, and get it ready for the readers it deserves. EXPERIENCE In the past few years, I've partnered with authors and professionals across a wide range of nonfiction projects — including a 35,000-word manuscript on AI for business, self-help workbooks, and memoir-style narratives. Clients consistently highlight three qualities in my work: I communicate clearly, I deliver under pressure, and I never lose sight of what the author is trying to achieve. Clients have described working with me as: ✦ "Extremely professional. Even under tight deadlines, she delivered high-quality work and maintained great communication." ✦ "She thought ahead and made valuable suggestions that improved the final result." ✦ "Detailed, thoughtful feedback — and open to short turnaround times." I bring that same level of care and commitment to every manuscript I work on. WHO I WORK WITH Memoir writers ready to shape their personal story into a compelling, emotionally honest narrative. Nonfiction authors — coaches, consultants, and experts — turning their knowledge into a structured, reader-focused book. First-time authors preparing their manuscript for self-publishing or professional submission. Authors who want an editor that listens, communicates, and treats their manuscript with the same seriousness they bring to writing it. If you want a collaborative partner rather than just a proofreader, we'll work well together. SERVICES OFFERED Developmental Editing Big-picture guidance on structure, flow, pacing, and reader engagement. You'll receive a detailed editorial report covering what's working, what needs strengthening, and a clear path forward — so revision feels purposeful, not overwhelming. Copy Editing A thorough line-by-line review of grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and style. Your manuscript will meet professional publishing standards while sounding completely like you. Proofreading A precise final pass to catch every remaining error before your book reaches readers. Clean, consistent, and publication-ready. Beta Reading & Feedback An in-depth reader response covering clarity, engagement, structure, and overall impact — ideal for authors who want honest, thoughtful feedback before moving into full editing. WHAT SETS MY WORK APART ✓ I think ahead — not just fixing what's there, but anticipating what your manuscript needs next. ✓ Your voice stays intact — I sharpen your writing without flattening what makes it yours. ✓ Detail-oriented at every level — from big-picture structure down to the final punctuation mark. ✓ Reliable under deadlines — high-quality work delivered on time, every time. ✓ Collaborative by nature — I listen carefully, follow your vision, and communicate every step of the way. ✓ Free 1,000-word sample edit — experience my editing style before making any commitment. RECENT PROJECTS Nonfiction Book on AI for Business (35,000 words) — Developmental editing and structural feedback on a full-length nonfiction manuscript. Delivered a comprehensive developmental outline, shaped the author's direction, and ensured the content was clear, organized, and reader-focused. Client noted the work went far beyond expectations. Memoir & Personal Narrative Editing — Copy editing and developmental feedback for memoir-style writing, focusing on narrative cohesion, emotional authenticity, and a consistent authorial voice throughout. LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BOOK To help me understand your project before we connect, I'd love to know: What is your book about, and who is the ideal reader you're writing it for? What stage is your manuscript at — early draft, complete draft, or nearly ready to publish? What is the one thing about your manuscript that you feel still isn't working the way you want it to? Ready to take your manuscript to the next level? Send me a message today. I'll review your project details and respond within 24 hours with a clear, honest recommendation — no pressure, just a genuine conversation about your book and the best path forward. Your story matters. Let's make sure it lands.

Let's be honest. Most manuscripts don't fail because the writer lacks talent. They fail because nobody told the writer the truth. Your friend said it was amazing. Your writing group said "maybe tighten chapter three." Your mom cried at the ending, but she also cried at a paper towel commercial last Tuesday. None of that gets you published. None of that gets you reviews. None of that gets readers recommending your book at 1am to someone who should be sleeping. That's where I come in. I read fiction the way your future readers will hungry, impatient, and completely willing to put your book down if you lose me. The difference is I'll tell you exactly where you lost me, exactly why, and exactly what to do about it. Your readers will just leave a two-star review and move on with their lives. I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and thriller, genres where pacing isn't a suggestion, world-building has to earn its word count, and readers will forgive you almost anything except being boring. What I'll do to your manuscript: ✅ Beta Reading — I read it as a reader first. No editorial filter, no politeness tax. You get my real reaction, where I was hooked, where I checked my phone, where I genuinely didn't see that twist coming, and where I absolutely did. That reaction is worth more than a hundred "it's great" responses. ✅ Developmental Editing — Structure, pacing, narrative arc, character consistency. If your story is a house, developmental editing checks whether the foundation is solid before we talk about the curtains. Most manuscripts need this more than they need anything else and most authors skip it entirely. Don't be most authors. ✅ Line Editing — This is where your prose stops surviving and starts singing. Sentence rhythm, word choice, dialogue that actually sounds human, flow that pulls readers forward without them noticing. Your voice stays completely intact. Everything fighting against it doesn't. ✅ Proofreading — The last thing standing between your manuscript and public embarrassment. Typos, punctuation, consistency errors, the word "definitely" spelled four different ways across 80,000 words. I find all of it. Every last one. You're exactly who I work with if: ✅ You've finished your manuscript and something still feels wrong but you can't name it ✅ Your beta readers liked it but couldn't tell you why the middle dragged ✅ You're self-publishing and your name is going on this thing permanently ✅ You want someone who will treat your story seriously enough to be completely honest about it What you actually get: ✅ Editorial letter with specific, prioritized revision guidance, not vague gestures at "clarity" ✅ Inline comments in Google Docs Suggesting Mode so you see every decision explained ✅ Multiple solutions per problem, because "fix this" without options isn't feedback, it's homework ✅ A reader's real reaction documented throughout, not manufactured after the fact ✅ Your voice protected at every single stage Genres: Science Fiction · Fantasy · Thriller · Mystery · Horror · Young Adult · Historical Fiction · Romance · Literary Fiction · Memoir Short stories to 120,000+ word novels. No cookie-cutter packages, scope and turnaround discussed per project so you're never paying for what you don't need. Most editors will tell you your manuscript has potential. I'll tell you whether it actually does, and if it does, I'll help you prove it on every page. If you're serious about publishing something worth reading, click Invite to Job or send a direct message. Tell me your genre, word count, and where the manuscript feels stuck. I'll take it from there.

Hello! College admissions are more competitive than ever before---I know first hand, having applied (and gained admission to) several Ivy League institutions in the most competitive application cycle in history. As someone who loves creative writing, I believe my essays helped me stand out. Not every student wants to be a writer or poet, but I can help them craft a strong essay in their own voice that will set them apart in the eyes of admissions officers. I truly believe that every student, whether they are a budding artist or an engineer, has a story worthy of telling. Now is the time to tell it. A little bit about me: I know the college admissions game firsthand. As a high school student, I was accepted to Columbia, Brown, Penn, Cornell, Oxford (UK), Northwestern, Johns Hopkins University, Williams, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, UC Berkeley, UVA, and many more (including two full-ride merit scholarships to selective institutions). Ultimately, however, I chose to enroll at UNC Chapel Hill as the recipient of the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Scholarship---a full ride plus stipends for one talented creative writing student. Beyond my academic life, I am a published poet and short fiction writer, with work appearing in prestigious venues like The Missouri Review, The Cincinnati Review, Gulf Coast, and Swamp Pink, all with acceptance rates bordering on 1%. I worked for years as an editor of a literary magazine, giving detailed edits on accepted work. These two things---my intimate familiarity with the workings of college admissions today and my passion for the written word---mean I can help your student craft the essay that best tells THEIR story while preserving their authentic voice. Many essay editors are English teachers or admissions consultants decades removed from their own college application journey. I, on the other hand, know what it's like. I know how hard it is, but also how getting into a top college is within reach for your student. I hope you'll trust me with your student's words!