Sikeena Karmali Ahmed

Sikeena Karmali Ahmed – Editor

I have twenty years of experience in developmental editing, copy-editing, and proofreading: both academic and non-fiction in the humanities.

Overview

Since 2003, I have been working predominantly in the fields of communications, editing, and publishing with a specialization in the humanities and social sciences, human rights, wellness and spirituality, architecture, and Muslim culture.

I have 20 years of editing experience - substantive, developmental, and copy-editing for peer-reviewed scholarly publications, non-fiction books, biographies and memoirs, essays, and articles as well as more journalistic writing like personal essays and articles for magazines/journals.

I specialize in editing translated scholarly and non-fiction books, articles, and essays from French, Italian, Russian, and Arabic into English.

From 2003 to 2005 I worked as contributing editor for ascent - a yoga and spirituality magazine based in Montreal, Canada. During this time we won two Utne Independent Press Awards.

My editing process delves deep into the narrative process to help authors to frame and weave together a coherent narrative argument. I am also a wordsmith and work with my clients to craft clear, concise, and compelling writing. We often work through 2-3 rounds of editing on a book project, beginning with the overarching "story" and structure and then breaking it down into how the narrative is developed and then crafting the language and presentation.




Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Education & Reference Health & Wellbeing History Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies Philosophy Sociology
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK)
Awards
  • Amazon.ca/BooksinCanada best first novel runner up
  • Utne Independent Press Award (2004)
  • UNESCO-Aschberg Writer's Residency 2007
  • Shastri Historical Research Grant 2008
  • Canada Council for the Arts Writer's Grant

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2019 — Present

*Editing and copy-editing of various academic papers in preparation for publication - written by scholars whose primary working language is not English.
* Editing and proofreading of non-fiction essays, scholarly papers, and longer (1500-2000 words) blog articles on architecture, history, the social sciences and humanities, yoga, spirituality, and wellness.
* Review and copy-editing of translations of non-fiction works from French, Italian, and Arabic into English
*Writing and editing of short and catchy social-media information blurbs and posts

Self-employed

Jul, 2017 — Jun, 2018 (11 months)

Conceptualized, Wrote, Edited and Published a book on the newly open Aga Khan Centre designed by renowned architect Fumihiko Maki.
Wrote and copy-edited narration, text, and 'story' for film and exhibition on Islamic Gardens

Self-employed

May, 2010 — Jul, 2017 (about 7 years)

Substantive and developmental editing as well as ghostwriting for various personal memoirs and biographies seeing projects through from conceptualisation, writing and development to through to publication.

Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

Apr, 2008 — Aug, 2013 (over 5 years)

Academic and Commissioning editor of scholarly books on Muslim societies and cultures. Developmental editing, copy-editing, translations substantive editing and review.

ascent magazine

Sep, 2003 — Jul, 2005 (almost 2 years)

Generated and edited content for award-winning yoga and spirituality journal.

Sikeena has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Yousuf R.

Yousuf R.

Sep, 2024

Sikeena not only meticulously proofread several of the chapters of my book but also gave me invaluable advice about the write-up, which was not part of the contract. I am truly indebted to her for those comments, which added quality in a big way. My other surprise was her promptness. In most cases, she delivered the material before the deadline. She has been very supportive all the way. Her le...
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Yousuf R.

Yousuf R.

Jul, 2024

Sikeena's work is par excellence. She is the only editor I have used so far, whose level of expertise and timeliness exceeded my expectations. She is very sincere and demonstrates superb confidence in what she does. Her charges are somewhat on the high side, but I have come to realize that it fully commensurates with her high level of expertise and knowledge.
Sikeena K.
It has been a pleasure to work with you Yousuf, and thank you for your review. :)

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