Trained and experienced editor, published writer, writing coach; specialist in creative writing: fiction and nonfiction--novel, short story, memoir, self-help. Experienced in ESL and academic editing. Qualifications I am a published writer with a substantial background in business and legal work and more than 18 years’ editing experience, including: Coaching creative writers of fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction Substantive, stylistic, and copy editing of novels, short stories, memoirs, and non-fiction, including ESL. Evaluation of hundreds of fiction manuscripts (genres include literary, sci-fi/fantasy, romance, mainstream) for a major publishing house Editing academic material, including ESL papers. Education and training Journalism and creative writing courses at Carleton University, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and George Brown College, as well as many editing courses through the Editors’ Association of Canada B.A. with distinction from Victoria University at the University of Toronto (literary studies, literary analysis, creative writing) What clients say Val, as always, your changes were great. I can't thank you enough. I value your opinion more than anybody's. Thank you for the evaluation of my book-to-be! I have read carefully, several times, all that you sent to me. Now I will try to correct and revise. Again my thanks Val. I was certainly most fortunate to have been given your name for you have indeed given me help above and beyond. I'm excited following your suggestions for my novel’s improvement. At first it seemed easy, but it is not. It is a challenge. All I can say is that you're a master at what you do, [the book] seems flawless and at some points it's entirely riveting—and this from someone who is sick to death of it. What you say about [the heroine] is so true, but really, [all of the characters] are just so much better, clearer, and more human because of your work, proving less is more, and subtlety the most effective communication skill. This book would be much less, if at all, had it not been for the wonderful editing talents of Val Gee. Val encouraged me, cheered me on. With a light hand, she took the many writings I had put together, polished them to their highest resonance, without once puttng her voice over mine. As a writer, I learned, I grew. [Contact information for the above authors is available on request] Affiliations include The Editors' Association of Canada and Mensa | 
