Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some commonly asked Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Who are you?

Hi! I’m Natalia, a Canadian freelance editor and translator. I specialize in fiction and non-fiction, with sub-specializations in disability and accessibility, plain language, inclusive language, and authenticity reading.

But who are you really?

On a personal note, I am a big reader (literary fiction and sci fi, mystery, and horror), a huge fan of old cinema (Mollywood/Tollywood, the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, plus old 1950s monster movies!), and a lover of all snacks.

I photograph cacti and share random facts. I cook. I bake. I play guitar. I like cats, and I love dogs. I teach about disability.

I write strange little short stories. And I own far too many stacks of books. (That somehow keep growing.)

I speak English, Mexican/Guatemalan Spanish, and Ukrainian fluently, Polish fairly well, and am a beginner in Brazilian Portuguese and Russian.

I’m from Toronto, have lived all over Ontario (North and south), Alberta, BC, Poland, Argentina, Guatemala, and Northern Mexico.

Why do I need an editor?

An editor is here as a collaborator, a second set of eyes, and one of your first readers. I am here to help you understand stages of editing, give advice on writing and editing techniques, and help you navigate the publishing process (whether this be traditional or self-publishing).

What types of editing do you offer?

At Natalia Iwanek Editing, I work on both fiction (short stories, novellas, and novels) and non-fiction (disability, accessibility, international relations, finance).

In particular, I offer all five stages of the editing process, including manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, stylistic editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

What types of editing do you not offer?

I do not work on academic dissertations, dense legal material, YA manuscripts, or children’s literature. But I can recommend colleagues who do!

I can also recommend authenticity readers from identities other than my own.

What’s your editing experience?

I have been freelance editing since 2018. I graduated with a 4-year degree in English Literature and Political Science an completed the Editing Certificate and Plain Language Certificate programs at Simon Fraser University.

Additionally, I also do continuous professional development at Editors Canada and Editors Toronto in Canada; ACES: The Society for Editing and the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) in the US; and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) in the UK.

As a writer, I have contributed extensively about language and editing to various Canadian editing blogs, like BoldFace and The Editors’ Weekly.

Furthermore, I am a public speaker about editing, with a particular focus on disability.

I also teach English to those preparing for the CELPIP and IELTS language exams.

Finally, I am also a current Master’s of Spanish to English Translation student. (I’m multilingual! English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Polish, and a bit of Russian.)

Without a doubt, I love the nuances of language. 🙂

What do you edit?

I edit both non-fiction (with a focus on disability, political science, international relations, and finance) and fiction.

In fiction, I focus on genre fiction and edit all types of short stories (my personal favourite) and novels. However, I am most familiar with the genre conventions of hard and soft science fiction, horror, thriller, mystery, and romance/queer romance novels.

Do you also write?

Yes! I write both fiction (short stories, mainly mysteries and horror) and non-fiction (articles on disability, the evolution of language, personal essays, and more).

In addition, I read widely and diversely, both classics and contemporary, and keep up with the evolution of language and publishing norms and standards. I also read books of the craft of writing to understand plot, pacing, setting, character development, and story and world building.

This personally helps me better understand the writer’s perspective and offer nuanced advice.

What do you like to read?

My favourite genres are literary fiction (classics and especially those in translation) and genre fiction (hard and soft science fiction, horror, and mystery). Please don’t get me started, because I will not stop talking about books!

When I’m not editing, I’m reading (Usually at least five books at a time!) or poking around second-hand bookstores.

What’s your stance on AI?

On professional, ethical, and confidential grounds (and due to far too many sci fi novels and films), I do not use any type of generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) in my editing process. Fiction focused on AI is great, but this human will edit your document.

Still curious?

Contact me anytime!