Overview
I have had a deep love for reading and the written word since I was a young child. If you look up 'bookworm' in the dictionary, you will find my name and picture underneath. I lived in Perth, Australia from 1993 to 1998, during which I qualified as a secondary school teacher, specialising in LOTE and ESOL. I also started proofreading MAs and PhDs at Murdoch University. My interest and experience in the field of proofreading, particularly at tertiary level, grew incrementally over the years. After my time in Australia, I moved back to New Zealand to teach ESOL full-time for several years. Then my travels took me to Switzerland, where I taught ESOL, studied to become a translator, and proofread/edited for a variety of agencies, universities and businesses, and also as a freelancer from 2000 to the end of 2011.We moved back to New Zealand permanently in December 2011, and since then I have developed an abiding interest in dystopian/post-apocalyptic fiction, and slowly started gaining proofreading/editing work from notable independent authors in this genre, including Kyla Stone, Franklin Horton, Rhiannon Frater, Joseph Zuko, and T.L. Payne. My recent proofreading/editing work in the non-fiction area includes a book on terraforming and one on money.Please find below several testimonials about my work:
Joanna is one of the best proofreaders I've come across to date. Her instincts and attention to detail were incredibly helpful to my editing process, and she provided me with invaluable insight and suggestions that really added a professional polish to my writing. Definitely an above-and-beyond proofreader and/or editor. Highly recommend! (Nic Roads)
I highly recommend Joanna's proofreading services. I loved working with her on Brink of Darkness. She was great, and her proofreading was very thorough and provided very useful feedback. I will definitely use her again on my next book! (T. L. Payne)
I have had the pleasure of working with Joanna on several occasions. She is an amazing editor with superb attention to detail catching things others have missed. Joanna is not the only editor that I use, but she is the final stop when it comes to ensuring my writing is grammatically the best it can be. She is a true professional who is incredibly passionate about her work. I have and will continue to recommend her services to anyone needing an outstanding editor. (David Scott)
Joanna is a wonderful editor. She edited a book I was rereleasing after my publisher closed down. She caught things my original editor missed and made great suggestions. My book is better after she edited it. I highly recommend Joanna for any editing or proofing needs. (Veronica Smith)
We have worked with Joanna on many occasions, and we are always very satisfied with her proofreading work. Joanna is extremely diligent and readily suggests alternative formulations and improvements. She is very flexible and always keeps to our (often tight) deadlines. We always enjoy working with her. (Daniel Spring)
Services
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)
- Certificate of Advanced Studies (Specialised Translation)
Work experience
Self-employed
Wegelin & Co. Private Bankers, St. Gallen, Switzerland (CH)
Ernst and Young, Zurich, CH
Self-employed
Joanna has 17 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Daniel D.
Dec, 2025
Anthony James M.
Dec, 2025
Travis E.
Oct, 2025
Phil D.
Aug, 2025
Timothy R.
Jun, 2025
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