Susan Cahill - Editor
Experienced editor and proofreader specializing in literature, academic, and non-fiction, worked as an English lit. professor for 15 years
Request a quote
Verified identity
Overview
I hold a PhD in English literature (my specialties are contemporary fiction and children’s literature) and have worked as an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor in Literature in universities in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Canada. I have significant experience in academic writing and editing, having published an academic book on contemporary fiction and over 20 academic articles and given numerous speeches and presentations. I have also edited 2 collections of essays on contemporary authors.
I have supervised PhD and MA theses in both literature and creative writing (creative non-fiction and memoir) and am skilled in offering constructive feedback to improve writing style and argument.
I was editor of an interdisciplinary academic journal (literature, history, theatre, film, music, cultural studies) for the past year so I am well-versed in the peer-review and editing process. I also proofread fiction for an independent publisher in the UK.
As a literature professor with expertise in contemporary fiction, children's and YA literature, I can also offer editing and proofreading services for aspiring writers and can help with plot, characterization, themes, and structure.
I can work with you to improve the clarity, fluency, tone, and style of your document. I can help with narrative or argumentative flow and consistency. I will edit awkward phrasing, repetition, spelling, or grammatical errors to ensure clear, fluent, and accurate prose.
I can also format your document to ensure that layout, paragraphs, margins etc. are appropriate and, if appropriate, can format referencing to adhere to publishers or academic style guidelines such as MLA, Harvard, APA, Chicago etc.
I am a friendly, efficient, and encouraging editor. My main motivation is to instill confidence in your writing process and to ensure that your writing is as eloquent and compelling as it can be. If you are interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you.
I have supervised PhD and MA theses in both literature and creative writing (creative non-fiction and memoir) and am skilled in offering constructive feedback to improve writing style and argument.
I was editor of an interdisciplinary academic journal (literature, history, theatre, film, music, cultural studies) for the past year so I am well-versed in the peer-review and editing process. I also proofread fiction for an independent publisher in the UK.
As a literature professor with expertise in contemporary fiction, children's and YA literature, I can also offer editing and proofreading services for aspiring writers and can help with plot, characterization, themes, and structure.
I can work with you to improve the clarity, fluency, tone, and style of your document. I can help with narrative or argumentative flow and consistency. I will edit awkward phrasing, repetition, spelling, or grammatical errors to ensure clear, fluent, and accurate prose.
I can also format your document to ensure that layout, paragraphs, margins etc. are appropriate and, if appropriate, can format referencing to adhere to publishers or academic style guidelines such as MLA, Harvard, APA, Chicago etc.
I am a friendly, efficient, and encouraging editor. My main motivation is to instill confidence in your writing process and to ensure that your writing is as eloquent and compelling as it can be. If you are interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you.
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Education & Reference
History
Philosophy
Self-help & Self-improvement
Fiction
Literary Fiction
Certifications
- PhD in Literature, University College Dublin, 2007
- MA in Critical and Cultural Theory, Cardiff University, 2002
- BA (Hons) in English Literature, University College Dublin, 2001
Work experience
Associate Professor in Literature
Concordia University
July, 2011
–
June, 2019
(almost 8 years)
Research Fellow and Research Co-ordinator
University College Dublin
September, 2007
–
June, 2011
(over 3 years)
Teaching Fellow in English
University of Limerick
January, 2007
–
August, 2007
(7 months)
Lecturer in Irish Literature
Queen's University Belfast
August, 2006
–
December, 2006
(4 months)
Portfolio (8 selected works)
Metamorphosis: Make the Change; Emerge Magnificent
Sara Madderson
Do you ever feel as though you’re sleepwalking through life? Awake, but not fully conscious? Surviving, but not thriving?So many of us have built ourselves cocoons that, while comfortable, limit us from living fully. Cocoons can be either a form of confinement or, as nature shows us, an incubator for transformation. In Metamorphosis, Sara Madderson lays out a two-part framework for making chan... read more
When Irish culture and economics underwent rapid changes during the Celtic Tiger Years, Anne Enright, Colum McCann and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne began writing. Now that period of Irish history has closed, this study uncovers how their writing captured that unique historical moment. By showing how Ní Dhuibhne's novels act as considered arguments against attempts to disavow the past, how McCann's protag... read more
Anne Enright is one of the most innovative and exciting writers in Ireland - and indeed, the world today - whose work encompasses a wide range of genres, themes, and interests. With her dark humor and wry tone, she displays a capability to be remarkably funny while engaging with serious subject matter and themes. The recognition for her novel, The Gathering, by the Man Booker judges in 2007, p... read more
Colum McCann is one of the most important Irish writers in contemporary literary fiction. His work has been critically acclaimed across the globe for its artistic achievement, its thematic range and its ethical force. This Side of Brightness: Essays on the Fiction of Colum McCann is the first collection of scholarly essays to deal with McCann’s œuvre, drawing on the pioneering critical work of... read more
When Irish culture and economics underwent rapid changes during the Celtic Tiger Years, Anne Enright, Colum McCann and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne began writing. Now that period of Irish history has closed, this study uncovers how their writing captured that unique historical moment. By showing how Ní Dhuibhne's novels act as considered arguments against attempts to disavow the past, how McCann's protag... read more
This book offers the first comprehensive survey of writing by women in Ireland from the seventeenth century to the present day. It covers literature in all genres, including poetry, drama, and fiction, as well as life-writing and unpublished writing, and addresses work in both English and Irish. The chapters are authored by leading experts in their field, giving readers an introduction to cutt... read more
Susan has 7 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Susan Cahill is a seasoned professional whose attention to detail fair surpassed our expectations and further elevated our book's quality that ensured we had a professional and polished product to push out to the community at large. We highly recommend her services for those wanting to have lasting surety for what they wish to accomplish. Big thanks! Well Done!
Sydney Sullivan, March 2020
Susan has been a delight to work with so far. Her feedback was very helpful in laying out my book in a way so it flows for my readers. She is very responsive and easy to work with.
Kelly Craig, March 2020
Reply from Susan Cahill
Susan is incredible! I am so happy and grateful to have found her to edit my first book, which is non-fiction. Her judgement and knowledge are wonderful, and she has made a habit of leaving lovely, enthusiastic comments dotted throughout the manuscript when my words resonated with her, which has made the whole process less lonely and terrifying for me. Her background as an English Literature pr...
Read more
Sara Madderson, January 2020
Working with Susan was a pleasure! This collaboration became a growth opportunity for me as her suggestions shined a new light on sections I never thought about changing. She led my book into a direction that made me feel more confident in myself as a writer and in my book. Her response rate was immediate! I can't thank her enough for her honesty, genuine appreciation for my story's message an...
Read more
Azia To, December 2019
Reply from Susan Cahill
Susan is amazing to work with. She made improvements to my book at every level: restructuring chapters, enhancing core themes, and making the language more professional. At times she seemed to understand the book better than I did.
Looking back at how much the text has improved, I feel lucky to have found her. Highly recommended!
Kris Borer, November 2019
Reply from Susan Cahill
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Amy Martin
An Editorial Assistant at Bloomsbury Academic, I want to help academic, nonfiction, and literary fiction writers submit their best work.
New York, NY, USA
Allison McKechnie
Non-fiction editor with extensive experience in many subjects, gained over 25 years from publishers including Routledge and Palgrave
London, UK
