Karen McEwen

I’m Karen (she/her), a developmental editor and writing consultant for academic authors in the social sciences and humanities. I help scholars develop, refine, and communicate their ideas.

To inquire about my services or schedule a free consultation, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!

My services: I offer developmental and stylistic editing and writing support services. I also run online writing groups and coaching programs for academic authors.

My approach: I support my clients by providing in-depth, practical feedback that address big picture concerns like argument, structure, and organization. My goal is to help develop and communicate your ideas, not to tear you down. I genuinely enjoy working with my clients at every stage of the writing process and find profound fulfillment in their successes.

About me: I began my editing career while completing a PhD in Information Studies at the University of Toronto. While I enjoyed teaching and conducting my own research, my favourite parts of academic life involved collaborating with and supporting other scholars. I undertook formal training (specializing in developmental editing for academic writing) with Editors Canada, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and other editorial organizations. I’ve continued my professional development in areas like sensitive and conscious language and supporting writers who work in English as an additional language. 

I’m fortunate to get to collaborate with scholars in many different academic fields, and I especially appreciate the challenge of interdisciplinary projects.

I work with authors across the humanities and social sciences and have experience in the following areas: 

• Anthropology
• Communication studies
• Classics
• Critical health studies
• Critical legal studies
• Critical race studies
• Cultural studies
• Disability studies
• Film studies
• Game Studies
• Geography
• History
• Indigenous Studies
• Information studies and library science
• Labour studies
• Media studies
• Philosophy
• Political science
• Science and technology studies
• Sociology
• Urban studies
• Visual Studies
• Women’s, gender, and sexuality studies

I work on a wide range of academic materials, including:

• Articles
• Book manuscripts and chapters
• Book proposals
• Conference papers 
• Dissertations
• Grant proposals
• Job applications and research/teaching statements
• Tenure package materials