Natalia Iwanek Editing

Natalia Iwanek HeadshotI’m Natalia, a Canadian copy editor, stylistic editor, and proofreader.

Editing Services: I offer copy editingstylistic editing, and proofreading services.

Additional Services: I also offer inclusive language reviews, plain language reviews, accessibility, and sensitivity reading on a variety of topics to ensure the authenticity of your manuscript.

Fiction: I focus on literary fiction and genre fiction (science fiction, horror, thriller, mystery, and romance/queer romance). 

Non-Fiction: I specialize in plain language and inclusive language, with an emphasis on web copy and policy review.

(Sample edits are available to see if this working relationship is a good fit).

But who is Natalia, really?

A multilingual lifelong learner and reader

As a lifelong learner and admirer of language nuances and quirks, copy editingstylistic editing, and proofreading always seemed to be what I was destined to do.

An absolute love of reading and writing and extensive time spent in various geographical locations (Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, and Poland), granted me

  • a deep understanding of English grammar rules, sentence structure, and syntax,
  • an appreciation of global literature and genre conventions,
  • an understanding of linguistic hybridity/code-switching and cultural frame switching (especially in diasporic and equity-deserving communities), and 
  • an opportunity to speak several languages (including English, Spanish, Ukrainian, limited working-level Polish, and basic Russian). 
 

A multidisciplinary editor

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science. 

An unlikely combination? Well, possibly. However, I bring this dual focus to my editing process each day. Language is never neutral; it is nuanced, ever-evolving, and often, tied to historical and political processes.

The fact that I enjoy these nuances of language is an understatement. For this reason, I also

  • completed University Certificates in Editing and Plain Language
  • completed extensive professional development, courses, and certificates from Canada, US, and UK-based editing organizations (Editors Canada, Editors Toronto, ACES: The Society for Editing, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) and,
  • attended considerable training in inclusive (or conscious) language and accessibility, and
  • hold long-time membership with Editors Canada and ACES: The Society for Editing.
 
I am also a longtime volunteer. I received the Editors Canada President’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2021 and 2022
 
Currently, I serve as the co-editor-in-chief of BoldFace, the official blog of Editors Toronto.  Previously, I served 
 
  • as the assistant to the editor-in-chief of BoldFace,
  • on the Editors Canada Marketing and Communications Committee, 
  • on the Editors Canada Nominations Committee, 
  • on the Editors Canada Student Relations Committee, and 
  • on the Editors Canada Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force.
 

A fan of snacks, facts, sci-fi, and cacti

Sample Edit.

Finally, on a more personal note, you can often find me

  • reading yet another book on my never-ending to-read list 
  • (on the fiction side, I enjoy 1950s/60s hard and soft sci-fi, the Latin American dictator novel, northern Mexican literature, Argentine horror, Nigerian literature, and literary non-fiction),
  • (on the non-fiction side, I enjoy decolonialism, post-colonialism, dependency theory, political philosophy, 1980s US foreign policy in Latin America, 1960s African history),
  • cooking and baking (anything wrapped in dough),
  • watching old movies (the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and 1950’s sci-fi!),
  • travelling (preferably to the desert),
  • taking photos (of old buildings and other people’s pets), and
  • sharing my love of collective nouns and random facts.

Specific Skills

Education
  • Master’s of Translation (Spanish to English) – England. (February 2025-Present)
  • Editing Certificate – Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia
  • Plain Language Certificate – Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia
  • Bachelor of Arts: English and Political Science (with Distinction) – Athabasca University. Athabasca, Alberta
  • Bachelor of Arts: International Relations – York University: Glendon College. Toronto, Ontario (transferred after 1.5 years)
 Editing Certificates, Courses, and Professional Development
  • Fiction Editing Certificate – Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
  • Copy Editing Fiction Course – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) (Lourdes Venard)
  • Editing for Conscious and Inclusive Language Course – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) (Crystal Shelley)
  • Romance for Editors: Working with Archetypes, Tropes, and Genre Conventions Webinar – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) (Megan Hennessey)
  • Immersive Copy Editing for Science Fiction and Fantasy Webinar – ACES: The Society for Editing (Kristy S. Gilbert)
  • SEO and Paid Search Course – George Brown College. Toronto, Ontario
  • WordPress for Blogging and Web Design Course – George Brown College. Toronto, Ontario

 Editing-Specific Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Training
  • Editing Slurs in Dialogue – Editors Kingston (Louise Harby)
  • Anti-Islamophobia Editing: Using Inclusive Language and Plain Language to Counter Hate Speech – Editors Canada (Amber Riaz)
  • Tackling Antisemitism in Fiction – Editors Canada (Molly Rookwood)
  • Some of the Things You Wanted to Know about Alt Text – Editors Canada (Amber Riaz) 
  • An Editor’s Guide to Assessing and Addressing Problematic Content – ACES: The Society for Editing (Crystal Shelley) 
  • Tips for Editing Genres That Include Violence, Suicide and Mental Illness – ACES: The Society for Editing (Karin Cather) 
  • Gender-Inclusive Editing: Becoming a Radical Editor – Editors Toronto (Alex Kapitan)
  • Editing Indigenous Content: The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity and Respect – Editors Toronto (Kaitlin Littlechild) 
  • Balancing Cultural Sensitivity with Craft – Editors Toronto (Sangeeta Netha) 
  • Trauma-Informed Editing – Editors Transform: Editors Canada Conference (Iva Cheung) 
  • Microaggressions in Editing: Understanding Bias and Undoing Harm – ACES: The Society for Editing (Crystal Shelley)
Volunteer Experience
  • Co-Editor-in-Chief of BoldFace – Editors Toronto – September 2024-Present
  • English Conversation Partner – Toronto – November 2024-Present
  • Assistant to Editor-in-Chief of BoldFace – Editors Toronto – February 2024-September 2024
  • Contributor (Editor and Writer) to BoldFace – Editors Toronto – 2020-Present
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force Member – Editors Canada 2021
  • Marketing and Communications Committee Member – Editors Canada 2021
  • Nominations Committee Member – Editors Canada 2021
  • Student Relations Committee Member – Editors Canada 2020-21 
  • Contributor to The Editors’ Weekly – Editors Canada – 2020-21
 
Awards and Recognitions
Memberships and Affiliations
 
 
Speaking Engagements
  • Intersectional Activism in the Online Sphere – Ignite Change Conference for the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC). Edmonton, Alberta, January 2023
  • Nothing About Us Without Us: Accessibility, Accommodations and the Student Experience – AUSUnights. Edmonton, Alberta, July 2023
  • Nothing About Us Without Us: Accessibility, Accommodations in Student Leadership  CAUS Conference. Edmonton, Alberta, May 2023
 
Languages and Language Teaching Skills
  • Languages – English (Native), Ukrainian (C2), Spanish (C1), Polish (B1), French (A2), Russian (A1)
  • Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL) Certificate – University of Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Toronto, Ontario (120 hours)
  • Advanced TEFL – Teaching Exam Preparation – TEFL.org Inverness, Scotland (40 hours)
  • Advanced TEFL – Business English – TEFL.org Inverness, Scotland (30 hours)
  • French Immersion Certificate – Université Sainte-Anne. Pointe-de-l’Église, Nova Scotia (125 hours)
  • Advanced Spanish Certificate – Escuela Sol Latino. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (400 hours)
  • Intermediate Spanish Certificate – Ibero Spanish School. Buenos Aires, Argentina (300 hours) 
Contact Me.
Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss your project further.