Academics & Students
If you’re like most academics, you have almost-but-not-quite-finished articles sitting on your desktop because…
the thought of opening them and having another go makes you want to hide
you haven’t looked at them in so long you’re worried you won’t know where to start
you know you still need to check a few things, but simply don’t have the time
you still have to check your references, formatting, and a few other details
you’re not sure it meets submission requirements or that it’s print ready
there’s no actual deadline for when it’s due
you’ve moved on to another project
Don’t worry. It’s totally normal and you’re not alone.
Working Together
By working together I can help get papers off your to do list quicker and more efficiently by allowing you to focus on the conceptual ideas, data analysis, and writing phases. The areas of your speciality, expertise, and probably passion and interest as well.
When you send drafts around to colleagues, co-authors, or supervisors, they’re usually focussed on ‘big picture’ content, flow, and arguments. Formatting, cross-checking references, grammatical errors, editorial consistency, etc… are simply not a good use of their time or expertise. Unless it’s a really obvious mistake, they’ll assume you’re checking these… but are you? Will you?
The most common work I help academics with include:
correct formatting (line spacing, font size and style, page numbering, headings, etc) as per submission requirements
correct labelling of tables, figures, graphs, and images
correct and consistent referencing
cross-checking citations to the reference list
cross-checking references made to pages, tables, figures, images, footnotes
editorial consistency (spelling, capitalisation, abbreviations, hyphenations, etc)
grammatical errors (incorrect word choice, punctuation, etc)
consistent and properly defined acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms
My role here at Elm Tree Words is to support you and your work by looking for the “little” but important things that are often holding you back from submitting. I’m dedicated to supporting academics and HDR students get their work submitted and shared with the world quicker and more efficiently.
How much does it cost?
Depending on the nature of the work required you will be charged either an hourly or per word count rate.
Factors impacting hourly vs word count include the nature of the work for example, strictly writing or editing vs formatting and checking references and tables.
Other factors impacting cost include the quantity and quality of work received, nature of the work expected, negotiated turnaround time, and frequency of communication among others.
Generally the more polished the work I receive, the less time I spend, resulting in a lower cost for you.
My minimum rate is $85 (plus GST) for anything under one hour or less than 1000 words.
How does it work?
Step One
We have an initial 20minute chat to discuss your goals, timeframes, nature of work you’d like completed, and how we will work together. This is also where I will note word limits, referencing style, approved formatting, and any other required instructions.
Step Two
I prepare a custom no obligation quote (including tips and suggestions) so you get a feel for how I can take your work to the next level.
Step Three
Once you’ve accepted your quote and paid the initial 50%, I get started on the agreed work.
Step Four
Once the agreed work is completed, I send you through an invoice for the remaining amount.
Step Five
We keep in touch so I can hear about your progress, share in your wins, and help support you and your work going forward.
How can I get started?
You can either get in touch with me via my Contact page or send me an email at hello@elmtreewords.com
What else should I know?
For academic papers I only edit in Microsoft Word and use tracked changes and comments so you can review everything I’ve done (if you want).
If you have slides, posters or another document that is less than 1000 words, contact me here, and I’ll be in touch about a custom quote.
Many universities have funds available to pay for editing work (you often have to apply for these through your college/department). If you’re a student, free assistance with academic writing can usually be found through student support services and/or the library. Check your inividual university to find out more.
I’m here to support and edit your work, but can’t promise it will be accepted for publication. At the end of the day, what you submit is at your discretion and your final decision.
I’ve lived, worked, and studied in Hamilton (Canada), Leeds (England), Vancouver (Canada), and now Melbourne (Australia), and hold Combined BA (Hons) and Masters degrees where I graduated with distinction/summa cum laude from both. I was enrolled in an Australian PhD (hats off to those in it or already completed), but realised the timing just wasn’t right (insert sad face/maybe another time here).
I’m a frequent undergraduate assignment marker (yes, some people really DO enjoy marking). So if you’re looking for one in the social sciences, Gerontology, Disability Studies, or research methods, contact me here.