Paul Higgins

Paul Higgins – Editor

I have a PhD in philosophy and two decades' experience in editing humanities manuscripts for university presses and independent authors!

Overview

A little about me:


I'm a freelance editor and also a contracted copy-editor with an academic press (completing roughly six books per year). Over the years I have done a very wide range of editing work, including copy-editing, editorial assessment, developmental editing, proofreading, indexing, and vetting manuscripts for acquisition/publication for various university presses and other publishers, where I've developed strong expertise in Chicago style. I have a PhD in philosophy and a majority of my experience involves editing texts that utilize this expertise (in the fields of philosophy, theology, and history), though I have also edited more broadly.


I'm originally from Florida, and currently live in Vancouver, Washington, with my wife and six (very energetic!) children. When I'm not editing or consulting, I'm usually reading or out doing photography.




Working with me:


I love Reedsy because it allows me to connect with unpublished and independent authors; through the Reedsy marketplace, I've had the privilege of working on a number of brilliant manuscripts that may not have been perfect fits for a traditional publisher, but which nevertheless deserved to receive professional editing and to have the chance to reach a broader readership.


I view the editorial process as a collaboration, where I'm here to help you enhance your work. Over the years, I have worked with all types of authors -- academic and otherwise -- to help books become the best they can be. Through my editorial assessment and developmental editing, I will provide expert-level holistic advice regarding how to improve your work, while my copy-editing services will help to improve everything from grammar/spelling to prose style and argumentation (I've even found new data/sources for authors, on occasion). I am friendly, thorough, and professional -- and I haven't missed an editing deadline in two decades!

Services
Non-Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction History Judaism Philosophy Political Science & Current Affairs Sociology
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2004 — Present
I have provided developmental editing, copy-editing, proofreading, and/or indexing services for more than 100 monographs published by various university presses, including The Catholic University of America Press and Indiana University Press.

Portfolio

Being is Better Than Not Being: The Metaphysics of Goodness and Beauty in Aristotle

Mirus, Christopher V.

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Jewish Perspectives on the New Testament

Strazhnik, Victor

Victor Strazhnik

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The God Debate: A Beginner’s Guide to the Conflict of Reason and Faith

Sherman, Doug

Independently published

Copy Editing
The Seven Deadly Sins: Sayings of the Fathers of the Church

Clarke, Kevin M.

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
From the Alien to the Alone: A Study of Soul in Plotinus

Gurtler, Gary M.

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
The Jesuits and Italian Universities, 1548-1773

Grendler, Paul F

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
A Byzantine Monastic Office, A.D. 1105

Anderson, Jeffrey C.

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Ministry to the Sick and Dying in the Late Medieval Church

Izbicki, Thomas M.

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Meditation as Spiritual Therapy: Bernard of Clairvaux's De consideratione

McWhorter, Matthew

The Catholic University of America Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Cultivating Culture: Creating Spirit-Powered Churches for the Future

Shaw, Spencer

Thinking Theologically

Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Indexing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading

Paul has 12 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Michael C.

Michael C.

May, 2025

Pinned
Paul Higgins provided invaluable editorial support during the books development. His feedback on structure, pacing, and clarity helped bring sharper focus to the core message without compromising the complexity of the ideas. Paul’s ability to navigate dense material and offer clear, constructive ...
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Thomas R.

Thomas R.

Aug, 2023

Pinned
A very positive experience! Paul went far over and above on helping improve my manuscript. I am extremely grateful! His edits and suggestions were spot-on, based on his own extensive knowledge, and clearly highlighted where I'd simplified ideas too far or left off supporting details that weakene...
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Shazad A.

Shazad A.

Jun, 2023

Pinned
Paul was very helpful with his well-reasoned and candid (as I asked for) feedback on the prospects of a manuscript. He worked at an astonishing speed and was more than fair on pricing--so much so that I insisted on paying a bit more because he went above and beyond without asking for anything add...
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Jack K.

Jack K.

Jun, 2025

Paul has a superior eye for detail when it comes to Chicago style, and is very quick. I found his copy editing quite helpful.
Joel G.

Joel G.

Jun, 2025

Paul completed the proofreading work quickly, finishing ahead of the deadline. He was highly detail-oriented—I was constantly surprised by the things he noticed. His careful editing even uncovered a software bug that had caused a subtle spacing issue, which had gone unnoticed by developers of my ...
Read more

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