dr Bryony Armstrong

Armstrong Edits

I am an experienced editor with a PhD in English literature offering editing, researching, and writer coaching services. I specialise in academic and nonfiction projects in the humanities, particularly literary studies and history.My goal is to polish your manuscript before publication and make your writing shine.

How can I help you?

📃 Do you have a draft of a book, article, essay, or dissertation but need help getting it ready to publish?
📃 Do you have good ideas but can’t figure out how to structure them on paper?
📃 Are you a busy researcher who needs to focus on the bigger picture instead of the minute details?
📃 Is English your second language and you need a second pair of eyes on your writing?See a full list of my services below.

Editing

🖋 Developmental editing is an editor’s first pass. This involves looking at the bigger picture of the manuscript and collaborating to restructure and improve the presentation of the ideas.🖋 Line editing is an editor’s second pass. This involves improving the readability and flow through fixing things like sentence structure, grammar, and voice consistency.🖋 Copy editing is an editor’s third pass. This involves fixing errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and making the manuscript ready for submission.

Researching

Publishers and journals require manuscripts to arrive with "i"s dotted and "t"s crossed, but most researchers don't have the time to meet these requirements. For this reason, I offer:
🖋 transcribing
🖋 permissions seeking (text and images)
🖋 reference checking
🖋 bibliography building
🖋 fact checking

Writer coaching

Many people (whether they be students or experienced academics) have excellent ideas but haven't yet mastered translating these ideas to the page. To help you find your voice, I read a piece of writing, write a letter identifying strengths and points for improvements, and have a one-to-one call with you to discuss feedback.As an academic in a past life, I know how it feels to receive feedback on writing, so I approach coaching with positivity and sensitivity.

word count reduction

Even if you're happy with your manuscript, a word limit can be the final obstacle to submission. I can look at your writing with fresh eyes and get you to that word limit, as well as help you decide which ideas can be excised and saved for future work.

working with me

Client testimonials

"Bryony acted as my research assistant when I was completing the final stages of my book Hard Language, helping me check the accuracy of my quotations, paraphrases and page numbers. I feel so incredibly lucky to have had her help - her meticulousness, care and intelligence went far beyond anything I could have hoped for. The communication was outstanding, and her record-keeping impeccable. Bryony's a real star and I'd recommend her unreservedly."
Dr Noreen Masud, Lecturer in Twentieth Century Literature, University of Bristol

"Bryony Armstrong is a dream to work with. She is a world-class freelance editor and researcher and she is to receive the highest commendation for her exceptional expertise and unparalleled excellence. She is not only distinctive for following the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency, she is also an outstanding human being - she is kind, generous, supportive, and an all round brilliant person to have the privilege of working with, an absolute joy! I can't recommend Bryony highly enough!"
Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier, Chair of US and Atlantic Studies, University of Edinburgh, and Dorothy K. Hohenberg Chair of Excellence, University of Memphis

My bio

I have over four years’ experience of working in scholarly editing and researching: on scholarly journal articles, literature study guides, academic magazines, academic monographs, history books, and memoirs. I also coach literary critics on their writing and have assessed university literature exams and coursework essays.

  • PhD in English Literature and previous Teaching Assistant at Durham University

  • MPhil in Modern and Contemporary Literature from the University of Cambridge

  • Developmental editor and writing coach at SuperSummary

  • Copy editor at eContent Pro

  • Previous editorial work placement at Edinburgh University Press

Pricing

Editing rates

I base my rates on those listed by the Editorial Freelancers Association.

  • Developmental editing: 5¢ per word

  • Line editing: 3.5¢ per word

  • Copy editing: 3¢ per word

pricing

Other rates

For prices listed per hour, please contact me to receive an hourly estimate.

  • Word count reduction: 3¢ per word in original manuscript

  • Research services: $60 per hour

  • Writer coaching: $70 per hour

Get in touch

If you're ready to take your manuscript to the next level, fill out the contact form below, or email me directly at: [email protected].