Dominic Farrell

Dominic Farrell – Editor

15+ years' experience editing fiction (lit and mysteries), non-fiction (history, poli sci, bios, memoirs, finance, art), reports, web copy.

Overview

I have edited more than 100 titles, including bestsellers, award winners, and award nominees, in a variety of genres. Fiction, mysteries, history, political science, current events, memoirs, bios, personal finance, art, sports — I've edited all of them. While providing clear and honest advice about how to improve a ms., I am careful to always respect the author's voice and vision. Over the years, numerous authors have offered me particular thanks for my patience and for the respect I have shown to them and their works.

I have considerable experience reviewing manuscripts being considered for acquisition by publishers. I have also worked with independent authors to help them prepare their manuscripts for submission to a publisher or an agent. Sometimes a manuscript isn't quite ready — work still needs to be done on the draft. I can help with that.

I've also worked as an editor in the world outside of book publishing. Most recently, I edited the strategic report, operational manual, and annual report for a major hospital. I have edited previous annual reports for the hospital, too, as well as funding proposals and almost all of the material appearing on the hospital's website also.

If you have a manuscript or a report or some web copy that needs editing, or if you have something that you just want an educated opinion about, I can help.

Author Reviews

“Dominic is an expert and tactful editor. He respects the author's vision and talent. He's diligent and thorough in spotting what needs to be corrected, what needs expansion, and what should be more concise. Editing my novel, he had the insight to recommend a restructuring that enabled me to find the way of making the novel more profound and also appeal to a wider audience. I admire his editing abilities and recommend him highly.” — Dorris Heffron, author of City Wolves


“I heartily recommend Dominic. He is an astute and balanced editor, well versed in public affairs, and with a collegial, constructive working style.” — Dennis McConaghy, author of Breakdown: The Pipeline Debate and the Threat to Canada’s Future


“Dominic had the most difficult author to work with, ME! Difficult since I was a new, old writer, walking in with 75,000 words on his late son, still grieving, still thinking every word written was sacred, and that any deletion was personal. I had the distinct pleasure, later in life but early in an author career, to do a significant edit with Dominic. He's a brilliant wordsmith, and he's sensitive, patient — a teacher and more. My book is so improved by his precise work, always respecting the words, the author, and the story. He's set a high benchmark.” — Rick Prashaw, author of Soar, Adam, Soar


“Dominic is a skillful and even-handed editor, with a gentle insistence on making your work the best it can be. Highly recommend!” — Jeremiah Brown, author of The 4 Year Olympian

Services
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs History Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Mystery & Crime
Languages
English (CAN) English (US)
Certifications
  • Publishing Certificate, Ryerson University
  • M.A. (English Literature), University of Guelph
  • B.A. (English Literature, University of Guelph

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2019 — Present

• Skilled editorial professional, experienced at working collaboratively with authors and content providers to
produce exceptional texts, on time and on budget.
• Track record of providing high-quality editorial services, including copy editing, proofreading, and
developmental editing. Extensive experience editing various types of works, including fiction and non-fiction
trade titles, academic books, reports, proposals, and web copy.
• Proven ability researching photo and text sources and securing photo and literary permissions.

Dundurn Press

Mar, 2016 — Sep, 2019 (over 3 years)

• Worked with authors to enhance content and strengthen structure of manuscripts.
• Reviewed manuscripts to determine suitability for acquisition.
• Networked with authors and agents to solicit manuscripts for acquisition.

Dundurn Press

Oct, 2013 — Mar, 2016 (over 2 years)

• Copy edited and proofread manuscripts.
• Assisted authors in securing permissions for copyrighted materials.
• Consulted with design team on cover concepts.

Dundurn Press

Jan, 2012 — Oct, 2013 (over 1 year)

Copyedited and proofread manuscripts.

Blue Butterfly Books

Jan, 2006 — Dec, 2011 (almost 6 years)

• Reviewed manuscripts to determine suitability for acquisition.
• Worked with authors to enhance content and strengthen structure of manuscripts.
• Copyedited manuscripts.
• Proofread manuscripts edited by freelance copy editors.

Portfolio

Breakdown

Dennis McConaghy

Is a national consensus on hydrocarbon development possible? The ongoing debate in Canada over hydrocarbon development and its required market access exemplifies the political polarization in ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Being Prime Minister

J.D.M. Stewart

Behind the politics, discover the lives of Canada's leaders. “What a life it is to be prime minister!” — John Diefenbaker Canada has had twenty-three prime ministers, all with views and polici... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
So, You Thought Golf Was Easy

Pendlebury, David

Writer Cosmos

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Work Less

Jon Peirce

You can’t have a healthy economy with an unhealthy work force. Work Less proposes ways to reduce work hours and keep workers happier, healthier, and more productive.Recent years have revealed ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Don

Lorna Poplak

An in-depth exploration of the Don Jail from its inception through jailbreaks and overcrowding to its eventual shuttering and rebirth. Conceived as a “palace for prisoners,” the Don Jail never... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Bullshift

John J. De Goey

People are unwittingly taking risks with their investments by entrusting them to advisers who are biased but don’t know it.Does your financial adviser tell you to hold on and never sell? That ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Reclaim control of your workday with a proven time-saving method.Life is busier than ever before. We are working longer hours to keep up with longer to-do lists. Yet we’re experiencing more st... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Home Safe

Mitchell Consky

During a pandemic lockdown full of pyjama dance parties, life talks, and final goodbyes, a family helps a father die with dignity.In April 2020, journalist Mitchell Consky received bad news: h... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Carbon Change

Dennis McConaghy

An investigation into the scale and costs of transitioning our energy systems to achieve net-zero emissions.Canada and the rest of the developed world have committed to decarbonizing basic ene... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Eve's Rib

C.S. O'Cinneide

“Timely and tantalizing, C.S. O’Cinneide masterfully blends domestic suspense with a touch of black magic in this bewitching thriller” — Erin Ruddy, author of Tell Me My NameAfter losing her y... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Antarctic Pioneer

Joanna Kafarowski

Jackie Ronne reclaims her rightful place in polar history as the first American woman in Antarctica. Jackie was an ordinary American woman whose life changed after a blind date with rugged Ant... read more
Copy Editing
Against the Seas

Mary Soderstrom

An incredible read.... While unflinching in her analysis, Soderstrom nevertheless gifts us with a message of hope and resilience. — MAUDE BARLOW, activist and author of Still Hopeful: Lessons ... read more
Copy Editing
Journalists hate the term fake news, but there’s a troubling reality: spin doctors routinely try to dupe them into reporting misleading and distorted stories.Check the news on any given day an... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Running-Shaped Hole

Robert Earl Stewart

A searching, self-deprecating memoir of a man on his way to eating himself to death before discovering the anxiety and fulfillment of distance running.“Uplifting, emotional, and just plain hil... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
How a German submarine sank a Canadian military hospital ship during the First World War and sparked outrage.On the evening of June 27, 1918, the Llandovery Castle — an unarmed, clearly marked... read more
Copy Editing
True Patriots

Russell Fralich

FINALIST FOR THE 2021 CRIME WRITERS OF CANADA BEST CRIME FIRST NOVEL · FINALIST FOR THE 2021 RAKUTEN KOBO EMERGING WRITER PRIZEPolitical subterfuge, extremist separatist plots, and two strange... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Imagine a medicine that could make you live longer, healthier, happier, and stronger. What if that medicine was already right at your feet? Running is the miracle drug that can do all this and... read more
Copy Editing
Four Umbrellas

June Hutton

A writing couple searches for answers when Alzheimer's causes one of them to lose the place where stories come from — memory. At the age of fifty-three, Tony walks away from a life of journali... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
When the Bubble Bursts

Hilliard MacBeth

A newly updated edition for the fast-changing real estate market in Canada! Over the last two decades Canadians have become convinced that real estate is the “safe haven” investment. This wide... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Toronto Reborn

Ken Greenberg

Book explores decades of dramatic and inspiring changes to Toronto, including the revitalization of the "Kings" corridor, Harbourfront, Regent Park, Ryerson University, the Leslie Street Spit ... read more
Copy Editing
Explore the vestiges of the hamlets and villages that have been swallowed up by Toronto’s relentless growth. Over the course of more than two centuries, Toronto has ballooned from a muddy coll... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Exploring Toronto’s history through the stories of its most fascinating and shadowy deaths. If these streets could talk... With morbid tales of war and plague, duels and executions, suicides a... read more
Copy Editing
The story of how we as a nation collectively built promising national projects and are now selling them off to the rich. For the first century after Confederation, Canadians collectively creat... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
An intimate history of the journalists who covered Canadian history, and made some of their own. The history of the press gallery is rich in anecdotes about the people on Parliament Hill who h... read more
Copy Editing
A new memoir from internationally renowned musician Liona Boyd. Few people’s lives are as romantic and adventurous as Liona Boyd’s has been. She has performed around the world, sold millions o... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Dalton McGuinty

Dalton McGuinty

2016 Speaker's Book Award — Shortlisted Former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty shares the story of his life in politics and the leadership lessons he has learned. Dalton McGuinty was premier o... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
When his popular hip-hop artist client is blackmailed, Crang stumbles on a porn operation and an unexpected case of murder. Crang is a smart-talking criminal lawyer who doesn’t mind chasing do... read more
Copy Editing
Jacintha

Lorraine Davies

Some kinds of love can only be endured. Richard Wilson, a professor of English literature, and his wife, Carol, are injured in a landslide that destroys their home and takes the life of their ... read more
Copy Editing
Hockey 365

Mike Commito

A yearbook of hockey history, from the unforgettable, to the obscure, to the downright unbelievable Compact, compulsively readable stories US highlights: the time a player scored his first-eve... read more
Copy Editing
Father Sweet

J.J. Martin

A shocking tale of secrets, guilt, and clerical child abuse. “God has made you special, but I will show you how to have an extraordinary life. Show you true love, as God intended for our kind.... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Taggart takes on gangs armed with sophisticated weapons who are battling for control and spreading terror in British Columbia. The twelfth Jack Taggart Mystery sees criminal gangs armed with s... read more
Copy Editing
Bomb Girls

Barbara Dickson

2016 Speaker's Book Award — Shortlisted 2016 Heritage Toronto Book Award — Nominated An account of the women working in high-security, dangerous conditions making bombs in Toronto during the S... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Rebecca Eckler’s newest book chronicles the hard truth of what it’s really like to make a blended family. Blissfully Blended Bullshit is a witty, engaging, refreshingly candid chronicle of a m... read more
Copy Editing
Author Col. John Conrad is an expert and experienced author whose book What the Thunder Said sold over 2,220 copies in Canada The subject is exceedingly topical/relevant and will remain so for... read more
Copy Editing
Is there a way to end North America’s opioid epidemic? North America is facing a crisis. The first warning signs appeared in media reports of OxyContin abuse and over-prescription in the 1990s... read more
Copy Editing
The 4 Year Olympian

Jeremiah Brown

Improbable, heart-wrenching, and uplifting, Jeremiah Brown’s journey from novice rower to Olympic silver medallist in under four years is a story about chasing a goal with everything you’ve go... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
A National Bestseller! Why be house poor when you can rent rich? “Why rent when you can buy?” More than any other, this phrase captures the overwhelmingly unanimous promotion of home ownership... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Starr Sting Scale

C.S. O'Cinneide

A hard-drinking former hitwoman agrees to help catch a killer, even though the murderer might just be her. Former hitwoman Candace Starr likes to think of herself as retired since she got out ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Soar, Adam, Soar

Rick Prashaw

“Coming out. Coming in. Coming home.” Adam Prashaw’s life was full of surprises from the moment he was born. Assigned female at birth, and with parents who had been expecting a boy, he spent y... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Michael Snow

James King

An all-encompassing view of the life and work of one of Canada’s greatest living artists Michael Snow is rightly recognized as one of the greatest Canadian artists. In a productive, length car... read more
Copy Editing
City Wolves

Dorris Heffron

A moving historical tale and remarkable literary achievement, City Wolves is the story of Canada’s first woman veterinarian, Meg Wilkinson. Born in 1870 on a farm near Halifax, Meg’s childhood... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Charles Pachter

Leonard Wise

An Officer of the Order of Canada, Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters, and recipient of the Order of Ontario, painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer, and author, Charles Pachter ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
A tale of one man’s shipwrecked life and an unlikely crew of rescuers. Fifty-five-year-old Charles Howard has lost his long-time journalism job and has been swindled out of his life savings. S... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Dominic has 7 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ben A.

Ben A.

Jan, 2024

Dominic is very thorough. He took the time and dove deep into my ms. He polished the text, identified plotholes, understood my strengths and weaknesses and transformed the text. I truly appreciate his effort.
Adam D.

Adam D.

May, 2022

I found Dominic to be a terrific editor whose dedication to the integrity of my manuscript helped me to feel much more confident about seeking publication. The significant length of the work, clocking in at 175,000 words, was no small undertaking. Formatting files between my Mac and his PC also proved cumbersome. Our timetable of 6 months could have ended on time, but Dominic was determined to ...
Read more
Patrick S.

Patrick S.

May, 2022

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Dan S.

Dan S.

Jul, 2021

Dominic was very good to work with. He provided solid feedback and guidance in a timely manner.
David B.

David B.

Feb, 2021

I've worked with Dominic on two separate projects. Both times I was amazed by his ability to combine thorough, line-level edits with high-level, strategic plot re-structuring suggestions. With the latter, he has almost a chess-master's ability to offer up to a writer various plot paths she or he might consider to help achieve their dramatic objectives. I was also impressed with Dominic's ...
Read more

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