Maggie Lyons

Maggie Lyons – Editor

Assessment, copyediting, proofreading for business, self-help, academic, MG, ESL writers around the world; free sample edit.

Overview

With more than thirty years of experience in assessment editing, copyediting, and proofreading for business, self-help, academic, and middle-grade writers across the globe, I ensure that no words can be misunderstood, and the message is clear and compelling. My clients tell me I provide far more value than they had expected.

Reviews

"Maggie was amazing, I can't recommend her highly enough. She's an incredibly skilled copy writer (and developmental editor) and went above and beyond. She's knowledgeable, careful, insightful, and professional. She really knows her stuff and has greatly improved my work. If Maggie is available to work on your project, you should snap her up!" (Anna, author, children's book)

"Maggie did exactly what she said she would, quicker than I expected! She was honest about my manuscript not needing an editorial assessment and told me I just needed a copy edit, saving me time and money. I deeply appreciate everything. She even helped me come up with a better title for my book!" (Amber, author, business book)


I edit the complete range of business/self-help materials from annual reports to books, operating manuals, and web content. I also edit academic literature from journal articles to books; magazine articles; personal documents; fiction and nonfiction for middle-grade children (I am a published MG author), and much more. I have substantial experience in editing for writers whose first language is not English. I work very closely with my clients to ensure satisfaction. My work may involve several reviews of a manuscript and a number of discussions with the writer to ensure as much clarity as possible. I explain my process in detail to all those considering my services.

My international clientele includes publishers such as Palgrave Macmillan, Harvard University Press, and Advantage/Forbes Books (well over 100 business books); The World Bank (policy research working papers); Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (business case studies); MidAmerican Energy Company (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway); and individual writers of business, self-help, and academic books and other types of written material. Past full-time employment includes creating and editing guidebooks and editing audiovisual materials for over eighty lecture courses of The Great Courses academic publishing company as well as writing marketing copy.

My rates are highly competitive. I have never missed a deadline I can provide a sample list of published books I have copyedited, my resume, and a sample edit.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Education & Reference Health & Wellbeing History Political Science & Current Affairs Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • BA (Bangor University,  Wales): French (German and music, as secondary subjects)  
  • MA (American University): Public Communications
  • Associate Degree (Trinity College of Music, London): Music

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2005 — Present

I have more than thirty years of editing experience in a broad range of professional fields. I currently focus on business, academic, and children's (middle grade) literature. My international clientele includes Palgrave Macmillan, Harvard University Press, Columbia University Press, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (academic books), Advantage/Forbes Books (business books), The World Bank (policy research working papers), and MidAmerican Energy Company (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway), as well as individual academics and business people across the globe. I have an MA degree in public communication and extensive experience in editing business/self-help books, as well as marketing/PR materials, annual reports, white papers, and other corporate literature, including PowerPoint presentations and web content. I also have significant experience in editing for writers whose mother tongue is not English, and I am the author of two published children's books.

The Great Courses

Jan, 1998 — May, 2005 (over 7 years)

Developmental editing, assessment editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, contracts, text books, marketing materials, video text editing

Portfolio

Mergers & Acquisitions

Felker, Yves-Martin

Achieve Financial Peace Of Mind And Free Yourself From Financial ToxicityEnjoying a comfortable and well-deserved retirement can be an excitingthought, but the preparations are a lot of work―work that needed to startyesterday.Many people struggle with creating... read more
This book focuses on the role of social media as the next major game-changer. Social media has emerged as the defining trend in the last decade and continues to restructure communication and interactions between individuals, communities, governments and busine... read more
This book explores the history of wildlife television in post-war Britain. It revolves around the role of David Attenborough, whose career as a broadcaster and natural history filmmaker has shaped British wildlife television. The book discusses aspects of Atte... read more
American Tax Resisters

Romain D. Huret

American Tax Resisters gives a history of the anti-tax movement that, for the past 150 years, has pursued limited taxes on wealth and battled efforts to secure social justice through income redistribution. It explains how a once-marginal ideology became mainst... read more
Given China's rapid development, many observers assert that world economic growth and key economic indicators are now depending on the country alone, including the prospects of the dollar, the Euro, oil prices, industrial commodities, global equity markets and... read more
Harness Your Stress Into A Productive Strength!Do you struggle with stress? Let’s be honest, that’s most of us. Maybe you’ve even read articles on how to relieve your stress. But in STRESS TEFLON, Luke Mathers and Mick Zeljko explain that eliminating your stre... read more
Start Your Journey to A Work-Optional LifeInvesting is risky, and successful investors know what it means to take “smart risks.”In SMART RISK, leading wealth catalyst and portfolio manager Maili Wong sharesher techniques to help you build an investment strateg... read more
DISCOVER WHAT LIFE UNDERWATER CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT DIVERSITY INCLUSIONDeep beneath the ocean’s surface, submarines, hunks of metal shroudedin curiosity by those on land, are filled with a skillful crew responsible forits success. The efficiency of a strong subm... read more
Your GUIDEBOOK to NAVIGATING the MODERN CORPORATE WORLD As the leader of your company, you have a lot to worry about on a daily basis. The last thing you need to invest your time in is agonising over the complex legal issues that underpin your actions. In How ... read more
When it comes to legacy planning, you have two choices: 1. The default plan the government currently has in place for you 2. The Plan you design Orchestrate Your Legacy will show you how a fine-tuned team of professionals can give you the clarity to: • Reduce ... read more
At last, a book that puts ad creative in its proper place to drive brand success. ADitude empowers and advises advertisers and agencies to leverage the data to unleash creative power, impact brand performance, and out market the competition. Written by Peter D... read more
Valuable Techniques to Living a Balanced LifeHas your “regular” workday started to last over nine hours? Have youbeen missing important family events to satisfy the boss? Are youregularly skipping healthy meals and trips to the gym just to squeezemore into you... read more
What separates average businesses from extraordinarily successful ones?Better product? Your competitor will rapidly reverse-engineer your “secretsauce” and get their “better-thanyours” version on the market fasterthan you can say “Usain Bolt.”Better customer s... read more
Invest In Success Start Building Your Future NowMany business owners do not know what they need to doto prepare to sell their business. They think of their exitas something they’ll attend to someday, only to arrive at“someday” and discover that they can’t find... read more
WANT TO GROW YOUR PRACTICE IN THE NEW ECONOMY? Examine what you are doing today and diagnose the best treatment for your practice moving forward. You know the Great Recession created big problems for many dentists. It exposed dental practices to inefficient an... read more
The rules of new product development have changed. The most fundamental nature of supply and demand has shifted and markets have undergone a reversal. Users are in control now, determining the success and failure of every company and product in the market. Com... read more

Maggie has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Kae K.

Kae K.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
Maggie's professionalism, efficiency, and kindness made collaborating with her a genuine pleasure. Her extensive experience in editing and feedback, suggestions was evident throughout our project. I look forward to working with her again and highly recommend her services to aspiring authors. Thank you, Maggie, with my first publication, my bestseller :)
Maggie L.
Thank you, Kae. You were a model client! My very best wishes for the success of your book, which promises to be a powerful resource for anyone who wants to move forward from the negative effects of...
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Shauna B.

Shauna B.

May, 2023

Pinned
Maggie is enormously skillful, efficient, and sharp. Her feedback was insightful and thorough and deeply improved the quality of my work. Her communication was swift and she completed her edits before schedule. Maggie's attention to detail and intelligence made her the perfect collaborator. I will absolutely work with her again on my next project; Maggie is a gem.
Maggie L.
Thank you, Shauna, for your very generous review. I'm delighted to have been able to help you with your book, which is so full of insightful advice.
Jeremy T.

Jeremy T.

Oct, 2022

Pinned
Maggie's editing and proofing was all I could have hoped for. I hope that we have the opportunity to work together again.
Maggie L.
Thank you, Jeremy. I look forward to working again with you some day.
Vicki F.

Vicki F.

Jul, 2023

Maggie was great. She did amazing copyediting work and helped give me direction on next steps.
Maggie L.
Thank you, Vicki, for your very kind words. I very much enjoyed working with you on your very informative book manuscript and hope we'll have a chance to collaborate on another project in the not t...
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Bridget K.

Bridget K.

May, 2023

Maggie was professional and excellent at providing quality service. I would use her again in a heartbeat!

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