Overview
Hi, I’m Taryn, a seasoned copyeditor and proofreader based in Toronto, Canada, with a Master's degree in English literature and specialized training in Book & Magazine Publishing. Throughout my fifteen years of rich experience in traditional publishing at Harlequin, a global leader in romance and women's fiction under the HarperCollins umbrella, I've honed my craft through copyediting and proofreading countless manuscripts across diverse imprints and genres. Romance, fantasy, and YA are my specialties, but I'm confident with a wide range of commercial and literary fiction.
While I’m proud to share that I’ve worked with many successful authors who’ve earned top spots on the New York Times bestseller list, I also find it rewarding collaborating with first-time and emerging novelists. So whether you're established or new to the scene, when you team up with me, you'll benefit from:
⭐ A meticulous sweep of your manuscript for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, ensuring the accuracy, clarity, and consistency of your writing
⭐ Clear, respectful markup and queries that refine your unique voice and empower you with valuable knowledge
⭐ Expert fact-checking and my keen editorial eye for high-level issues like plot discrepancies and character inconsistencies
⭐A personalized style sheet tailored to your work that includes detailed lists of unique words, characters, and place names (*exclusive to copyediting jobs)
⭐ Bonus: Feedback on your back cover blurb or assistance polishing your query letter to industry standards if you’re seeking representation
Unsure which service you need? Picture a copyedit as a deep clean, and a proofread as a final sweep before your work meets the world. Ready to take the plunge? I can't wait to discover what you've crafted, so let's make your story shine together!
Services
Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Book & Magazine Publishing (Centennial College)
- Master of Arts in English (York University)
- Honors Bachelor of Arts in English (University of Toronto)
Work experience
Harlequin Enterprises Limited
• Editorial: Deliver high-quality copyediting services of a large volume of materials, including manuscripts, cover copy, and press releases. Ensure publications are as error-free as possible by checking and correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics; tracking discrepancies and continuity errors; researching and verifying facts; and making clear, concise suggestions for revision.
• Management: Log and assign English-translation manga comics (2015-2018); marketing/PR documents (2019-2021); and HarperCollins and Carina Press manuscripts (2022-present) to a roster of freelance copyeditors.
• Communication/Quality Assurance: Evaluate copyedited manuscripts and provide direction and feedback to freelancers. Develop and update house style as needed to maintain consistency, quality, and efficiency.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Suggest alternatives for or replace biased, harmful language and themes across all documents. Monitor and know what the current dialogues are in DEI, and field queries from freelancers and internal clients.
Harlequin Enterprises Limited
• Proofread typeset manuscripts in Adobe InDesign for grammar, spelling, consistency, continuity and adherence to house style/Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary/Chicago Manual of Style.
• Accurately insert corrections requested by author, editor or freelancer.
• Correct basic text-flow and formatting issues in InDesign.
• Ensure the repaginated book is ready to print.
• Proofread ancillary materials, including covers, front matter, sales catalogues and marketing copy, and verify title, ISBN, author name, price.
• Query editors concerning inconsistencies and potentially libelous or offensive content.
• Check printer’s proofs of nonfiction titles and cross-check index entries.
• Perform quality checks on ePub files and make corrections using BBEdit.
Portfolio
Taryn has 3 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Patricia G.
Jan, 2024
Anna P.
Nov, 2023
Benjamin H.
Sep, 2023
