Fantasy fiction & world mythology editor
Bringing out the best in your story and fixing the blips you’re too close to see.
Great storytelling is irresistible; our brains are wired for it. That’s why I love helping writers bring out the best in their work, tidying up those blips you’re too close to see (or didn’t know were blips).
With a background in psychology and a decade of teaching sciences and English, I bring a unique blend of analytical and empathetic approaches to the art of storytelling and editing.
My approach
At primary school, I was the kid nestled behind the coats in the cloakroom at playtime reading Roald Dahl. My journey from curious reader to professional editor is fueled by this love for imaginary worlds and characters. Everyone deserves a place, and sometimes the only place they find is in a book. So let’s make books great!
My editing style is meticulous and collaborative because I know what it’s like to pour yourself into your writing. To me, editing is a flexible process that requires empathy, not the rigid application of grammar rules at the expense of the writer’s intended effect. When you know the rules, you can bend or break the right ones intentionally.
My specialisms
As you’d expect, I’m still an avid reader of diverse genres of fiction and non-fiction, just not behind coats. My own writing is inspired by lesser-known world mythology and folklore, and I’ve ghostwritten several published books.
I proofread for World History Encyclopedia as the perfect cover to read more about ancient mythologies. Not because I believe in dragons or unicorns, but because these records highlight our shared human heritage, underscoring that all cultural backgrounds are equally valid and interconnected. Story has the power to bridge cultural gaps.
Education & experience
I graduated from the University of York with a degree in Psychology (including a research project on grammar acquisition; I know, I can’t help myself). After teaching English in Sri Lanka for several years, I taught sciences in the UK for nearly a decade before returning to live in Sri Lanka. Now I get to combine my attention to detail from my scientific background, my coaching and feedback skills from education, and my intuitive feel for imagined worlds.
As an independent professional, I began copyediting academic journal articles for a research lab. But fiction is my absolute passion, so I trained and gained experience as a fiction editor. If you’d like to know more, I’ve written about my experience with professional editing and proofreading training in a blog post, and here is a list of my training and qualifications that’s too boring-looking for this About page.
I hold a Copyediting 3: Progress certificate from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), where I’m a Professional Member. This means I have over 500 hours of relevant experience, passed their rigorous editorial test, and had my application approved by a panel of my peers. Phew. I follow their very sensible membership codes.
Living in the wilderness
When I’m not editing, or reading (surprise, surprise), I’m cooking Sri Lankan food, exploring the mountains, and discovering new combinations of expletives when I nearly step on a snake. Living next to the rainforest isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds!
PS. In case you were wondering, Ajatar is a deity from Finnish mythology. People would call to her through magic songs to take their pain away. Sometimes she is portrayed as an evil spirit of the forest; it all depends on the story.
“I feel so much more confident about submitting my writing now”
So happy with Joanne’s developmental feedback. Thorough, very detailed, and thoughtful. Plenty for me to reflect on and fix. Delivered ahead of time and was very clear in her progress at each stage. Joanne is very professional and I have no hesitation in recommending her. Thanks again!
Author wishes to remain anonymous
I was initially lacking confidence in certain aspects of grammar but Joanne took care of everything beautifully and I am so happy with the outcome. I feel so much more confident about submitting my writing now. I would recommend her to anyone. Thank you, Joanne!
Madavi R
Non-fiction author
Joanne demonstrated impressive skills during the editing process, with 36 authors from around the world bringing their distinctive voices and styles. Joanne was friendly, professional, constructive with her feedback, and respectful of our voices. I’d love to work with her again.
Al Boyle
Fiction & non-fiction author
Joanne Taylor • Ajatar Editing 