Joanna Niederer

Joanna Niederer – Editor

Proofreader and copyeditor: post-apoc, dystopian, action/adv, urban fantasy, PhDs/MAs, earth/space/env. science, medical/business reports

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
Action & Adventure Dystopian Urban Fantasy
Non-Fiction
Business & Management Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)
  • Certificate of Advanced Studies (Specialised Translation)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2016 — Present

I offer an on-call proofreading and correction service for highly confidential English language reports and documentation for Oaklins Binder AG in Switzerland.

Wegelin & Co. Private Bankers, St. Gallen, Switzerland (CH)

Apr, 2011 — Nov, 2011 (7 months)

Together with my translation colleague, I delivered an on-call translation and correction service for
highly confidential bank-related English language documentation.

Ernst and Young, Zurich, CH

Aug, 2008 — Nov, 2011 (over 3 years)

I managed, planned and delivered all aspects of an on-call proofreading and correction service for
highly confidential English language reports and documentation. I undertook some translation work as well.

Self-employed

Jun, 1995 — Present

1) I proofread complex MA and PhD dissertations for tertiary students studying investment banking,
business, economics, science, social science, law, IT, marketing, telecommunications, education, applied linguistics, etc. at universities and technical institutions worldwide.

2) I have been proofreading for quite a few authors in the US, Canada and England since 2015. In mid-2020, I started receiving requests for paid proofreading/editing work from independent authors. Demand for my services is growing. My ultimate aim (and dream) is to work with my clients on a long-term basis and proofread/edit full-time.

3) I translate (GER-ENG) and proofread a variety of written and website material for businesses, translation agencies, universities, technical institutions, and private individuals. My main areas of work include: medicine (website content, articles, medical reports), law (contracts), IT, marketing, business, finance, academia (predominantly tertiary level), fashion, beauty, food, baking industry, human resources
(predominantly references), applied linguistics, energy and tourism.

Portfolio

Revved

Zuko, Joseph

Joanna has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mahdi H.

Mahdi H.

Feb, 2025

Joanna is an incredibly patient and kind person to work with. Her capacity to eye out logical flaws and inconsistencies is amazing. She quickly grasped character personalities and the world and I never felt like I had to over explain my ideas for her to get what I want. Joanna helped me reduce a 350,000 word first-draft into a professonal, polished 90k word novel. I have absolutely no doubts wh...
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Linda N.

Linda N.

Jan, 2025

It was a pleasure working with Joanna. She was diligent, on time with all milestones, and clear in communications. Her copy editing was top-notch, and she provided a lot of great feedback. Highly recommend.
Nicoletta G.

Nicoletta G.

Nov, 2024

Joanna was an incredibly talented and helpful editor who significantly improved my book by correcting grammar and syntax errors, as English is not my native language. She asked insightful questions, highlighted areas that needed clarification, eliminated repetitions, and was thorough throughout the entire manuscript. Her guidance was invaluable.
Scott M.

Scott M.

May, 2024

Amazing experience. Highly recommend working with Joanna!
Baldwin G.

Baldwin G.

May, 2024

Joanna showed high skill and knowledge in bringing my manuscript to a professional level. She helped me to improve the style of the book and the reactions of the protagonists. She also checked all the technical data of the story which form a substantial part of the narrative. I am very grateful for her contribution.

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