Ariana Papastergiou
Proofreader & Editor
Welcome
Dear writer,
I'm Ariana (she/her), a London-based proofreader, editor and aspiring playwright. I hail from sunny Athens but moved to the UK a decade ago to realise my creative career and lead a slightly gloomier, whimsical life. What can I say? I fell in love with Dracula. I have six years of education and professional experience in literature, language, theatre and teaching English. After a tumultuous Covid-riddled final year, I graduated from university with a BA Distinction in English Literature & Language. I have previously worked as an assistant staff writer for an Anglo-Greek education project in partnership with the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, focused on teaching English to non-native students. You may catch me at local book fairs by the coastline, book launches, Gosh! signings, or bigger events such as London MCM and Thought Bubble, to name a few. I network with writers, spoken word poets, dramaturgs, multidisciplinarians and literature enthusiasts who are eager to write and be seen. I am here to offer affordable editing and proofreading services to expand my portfolio and help some of these talented individuals perfect their work.
If interested, don't hesitate to submit a form!
Sincerely,
A.P.
Editorial services
Why do I need an editor?
You may not have time to correct that stubborn spelling mistake or reformat your text with every comma. You may have excelled in creative writing at university, but grammar still confuses you. You may have gotten away with a plot hole or two, but would it not be better if you had a confidante to spot and resolve them before a reader notices? Not quite sure what motivates your characters? Terrified of writing in English as a second language? Where does one even begin with manuscript submissions? How sure are you that you're not plagiarising someone else's work? Whatever the need or the question, an editor is very likely to have a solution.
Editing is a crucial step in producing a finished piece of writing, and especially important if you are thinking of self-publishing. You may be an extraordinary writer with top-notch marketing and networking skills, but an editor can take the pressure off having to worry about yet another skill you have to train in. I will ensure quality by focusing on the visual aspects of your work as well as its contextual elements. I will focus on the flawlessness of your text, enhance readability, assess your story arc, offer useful critique and point you towards the right direction with the intention of always prioritising and preserving your artistic voice.
PROOFREADING
Covers all the essentials, from spelling errors to grammatical and/or syntactic inaccuracies. Formatting technicalities, such as layouts, text structure, typography, content tables, visuals, page numbering, double spacing, and watermarks, are included. This service is ideal for writers who want a quick yet thorough second pair of eyes but who have, in all other respects, a finished product on their hands. If on a tight deadline, this is also the speediest service I can provide.
EDITING
Covers copy and line-editing, assessing tone, rhythm and basic fact-checking across the entirety of your work. I will ensure readability, clarity, grammatical and syntactic accuracy and eliminate style and spelling errors. Though proofreading is an essential part of editing, you are also at liberty to separate them as you may decide that the structural elements of your manuscript are already in good shape.
This service could be particularly useful to writers who have chosen to write with English as a second language, as I will be able to spot and clarify obscure phrasing.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
A premium service that can include proofreading, copy and line-editing, as well as industry advice. Once all the technical aspects of the manuscript are taken care of, we move on to genre and medium-specific editing, assessing tone, rhythm, character arc and plot consistency, including timeline, setting, and world building. I will offer story critique and/or suggestions with your target audience in mind. Biography, blurb and copyright page included. This service is ideal for a writer in need of in-depth, continual support.
Why should I choose you?
I am a committed storyteller myself, and I perform my role with meticulousness and thoughtfulness. As a result, I have a lot of respect for your aspirations and drive. I offer a reasonably priced bespoke service as I understand how financial obstacles discourage writers from reaching out. I am dedicated to accessibility and inclusivity (click on the Accessibility Statement below for more information). I will work with you to give your writing the best possible chance of succeeding while ensuring you retain your unique voice as a creative individual.
Experience
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BA Hons (Distinction A+) English Literature & Language (3y) University of Salford, Manchester, UK
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Assistant Staff Writer 'English in Education', GR Ministry of Education (2y)
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Current projects in development
Developmental Editing | Death, Loss & Other Understandings, an autobiographical poetry collection by spoken word poet, Alby Stockley.
Proofreading | The Knight Shift #1, a fantasy comic by up-and-coming comics writer Ryan Twyford.
Developmental Editing | Post-it Notes, a debut poetry collection by actor and spoken word poet, Sophie Ellis Rue.
Testimonials
FAQS
Will you translate my work?
Though fluent in two languages (English, Greek) and able to offer general translations, I would recommend seeking professional services for legal documents and/or long-form manuscripts. I have previously worked with media in translation, but I am not certified and/or affiliated with translation providers such as the ITI (Institute of Translation & Interpreting).
Do you offer in person meetings?
What is the best way to
contact you?
My Contact Form at the bottom of the page is the best way to get a prompt response. Make sure to include as much detail as you can about your project and needs.
I have, on occasion, held in-person meetings in public spaces. I do not currently have an external workspace. For my privacy and online safety, I prefer meetings and/ or consultations on Zoom or Google Meet links to which I will always provide ahead of time.
How many editing sessions do you provide?
Sessions may vary in number and length depending on ongoing assessment of your work as well as your personal goals and expectations. My services are also super flexible, so if you mix and match, we will likely need a bit more time.
What is your pricing system?
Because my services are so customisable, it is hard to provide strict price ranges. For more information on pricing criteria, drop me a message using the form below.
Get in touch
