Meg French

Meg French – Editor

Developmental and copy editor with 20+ years' experience in a range of nonfiction genres. I can help you put your best words forward!

Overview

I am a born communicator. I've been telling stories since I learned to talk and writing since I could get my fingers around a crayon, and I've been fortunate to be able to make a career doing what I love: using my talent with words to help other writers tell their own stories.

As an independent editing professional, I work closely with writers to help them discover, develop, and fine-tune their ideas. I have experience working with writers at every stage of the process, including fact checking, copy editing, and proofreading, but what I truly love to do is substantive and developmental editing—helping writers cultivate the seeds of an idea and craft their raw prose into a really great piece of writing.

My editing style is highly collaborative: As an editor, my role is to use my skills with language to help enhance and improve the writer's work, taking care to maintain their unique voice. I approach each project from the perspective of a curious reader, asking questions for clarification where I believe it will enhance readers' understanding but always deferring to the writer's expertise in the subject-matter.

Perhaps my favorite part of this work is how much I learn from reading the work I edit! My interests are wide and varied, but I particularly enjoy working on projects in history/social sciences, law, current events and issues of social justice, popular culture, education, the arts, and sports (especially hockey and baseball!).

Everyone has a story. Let me help you tell yours.

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Here's what some of the writers I've worked with have to say about me:

"Wow! What an amazing gift I have been given by Rowman & Littlefield. You provided me with a TOP NOTCH copyeditor who caught so many critical mistakes. This book just went up a whole star in a 5-star rating.”—S. C. Megale, author of HOCKEY'S HIDDEN GODS

"I hired Meghann to edit Angelic Force. She was wise to adhere to the budget and yet still produced an outstanding product. If Linkedin allowed me to mark all the attributes, I would select them all. I would like to work with her again and again!"—Sheree Wu, coauthor of ANGELIC FORCE

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction History LGBTQ Non-Fiction Political Science & Current Affairs Sports & Outdoors
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2003 — Present

Experienced professional freelance writer, editor, proofreader, typesetter, and print designer specializing in nonfiction for children and adults, with a particular interest in history/social sciences, law, current events and issues of social justice, popular culture, education, and the arts.

Past and current clients include:​
Blackbirch Press
Dover Publications
Humanity Books
KidHaven PressLucent Books
The Ohio State University Press
Prometheus Books
Rowman & Littlefield
University at Buffalo Art Galleries
Wiley

The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine/The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice

Jul, 2000 — Apr, 2004 (almost 4 years)

Prometheus Books

Jul, 1999 — Jun, 2003 (almost 4 years)

The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine

Jun, 1999 — Jun, 2000 (about 1 year)

Copper Beech Books (an imprint of The Millbrook Press)

Dec, 1997 — Oct, 1999 (almost 2 years)

The Millbrook Press

Oct, 1997 — May, 1999 (over 1 year)

Meg has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Pamela C.

Pamela C.

Mar, 2024

My collaboration with Meg was a high-value and fulfilling experience. She was flexible and totally understood the nature of my request. I have a path forward to completion of my project. I highly recommend Meg and her insights and expertise.
Mary S.

Mary S.

Dec, 2023

Meg was fabulous to work with! She was extremely responsive, professional, and shared some great ideas that we incorporated into my book. I wholeheartedly recommend her and I hope to work with her again on a future project.
Meg F.
Thanks so much, Mary! I enjoyed working with you, too, and hope we get to do it again!

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