Meet Meghan MacNamara, MFA
Writer, Editor, Coach
I have worked as a freelance academic editor for almost a decade and as a dissertation coach at an R2 university for the last four years. This work has fueled my passion for helping scholars deepen their analyses, craft compelling narratives, enhance the credibility of their research, and strengthen their academic writing. I've been lucky to work with scholars and writers in various fields, many for whom English is not their first language.
Writing has been at the core of who I am since I was a child, and nearly every step in my professional life has led me to professional editing as a natural fit. My undergraduate education focused on medicine and environmental public health, but instead of medical school, I pivoted to writing and earned my Master of Fine Arts in Writing Creative Nonfiction. I have published my creative work widely. My scholarly work has appeared in the Journal of Creative Nursing. I taught writing and medical humanities at a nursing and health sciences college for 15 years, and I am very comfortable working in the intersection between the arts and sciences.
As an editor, I am obsessively detail-oriented and reasonably perfectionist. I love the puzzle of streamlining writing to be as professional, clear, and powerful as possible, but I also love the relationships I build as a coach. When a client tells me they are thinking of giving up at the start of a call and have a step-by-step plan for writing and revision at the end, I am thrilled. I have coached over a hundred scholars at various stages of the dissertation writing process, many of whom had previously given up hope that they’d ever achieve “done dissertation.”
Many former coaching clients return for help adapting their dissertations to publishable articles. When not working, I enjoy tending to an ever-expanding vegetable garden and riding my adaptive arm cycle on the rail trails near my home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
I look forward to partnering with you as a writing coach and/or editor on your next project.
Services
Free Consult
Learn How I Can Help
Schedule a 15-minute video chat with me to discuss whether coaching and editing are a good fit for you. This is a good time to ask any questions about coaching, editing, and how I can help you feel less stressed about the projects you're working on.
Copy Editing
Improving Flow, Maintaining Your Voice
Copy Editing includes formatting a document to a dissertation template or journal submission guidelines and applying the appropriate style guide (e.g., APA 7th ed) to all aspects of the document. It includes refining writing for conciseness, flow, clarity, consistency, and grammatical and technical considerations to improve readability.
APA-Only Edit
I'll Take the Tedium Off Your Desk
An APA-only edit includes cross-referencing and editing in-text and Reference page citations; formatting for Tables, Figures, and Lists of Tables/Figures; headings and heading levels; Table of Contents, pagination; formatting for numbers, including statistics; aligning with the university dissertation template or publication submission guidelines.
Developmental Edit
Organizing Writing to Strengthen Its Message
Developmental Editing focuses on the "big picture" of a piece, instead of grammar and formatting. It is useful for all writers looking to strengthen the structure, narrative, and flow of their writing. It is especially useful for writers who are struggling to make their message clear and for writers whose first language is not English.
Online Coaching
Turning Panic into Productivity
Coaching sessions are 60 minutes and focus on your specific writing and research needs, whether that is writing structure, strengthening content, writing accountability, or workflow and productivity.
Editing for English as an Additional Language Writers
Refining Syntax to Fit American English Conventions
Specialized editing support for scholars writing in English as a second language, which includes refining grammar, syntax, and word choice; improving clarity and flow; adapting to style guides (APA, Chicago, etc.); preserving your unique scholarly voice; and providing feedback on structure, cohesion, and argumentation.
Coaching & Editing Can Benefit You
Spend less time revising aimlessly and make clearer, more strategic progress
1
Improve Writing Quality
Having a fresh perspective on the story/argument strengthens your writing, especially when you have been working on it for so long time that it feels like a part of you.
2
Clarity Without Pressure
Coaching helps writers define realistic goals and break large projects into manageable steps. Editing streamlines structure and flow, making writing more focused and coherent, especially with dissertations, book proposals, or journal articles.
3
Less Time Worrying
Editing removes the burden from the writer when it comes to formatting, citations, grammar, and style. Coaching reduces second-guessing about what to include or how to say it.
4
Accountability & Productivity
Coaching can lead to more consistent writing habits with detailed support and guidance that help you reach your deadlines with less stress.
Client Success Stories
My experience with Meghan during the editing and APA formatting of my doctoral dissertation - highly flexible with her time, good attention to detail, and good timing too. Meghan "knows her onions" when it comes to editing and formatting. I was able to complete the editing before the due date as she worked with my timeline. Thanks very much again, Meghan.
Dr. Joyce Ogunyemi, Higher Education Leadership
Meghan consistently impresses me with her keen attention to detail, insightful suggestions, and fast turnaround time. Her assistance has been invaluable in refining my professional writing. When my dissertation advisees work with her, I notice a significant improvement not only in their writing but also in their confidence to complete their work. Countless students have shared that they wouldn’t have been able to graduate without her support!
Dr. Peggy Kerr. Assistant Professor, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Doctoral Program
As my dissertation coach, Meghan was incredible, offering guidance and support that exceeded all my expectations. From the beginning, she took the time to understand my research goals, helped refine my ideas, and laid out a clear plan to keep me on track. Her expertise and insights were invaluable as she carefully reviewed my drafts, provided constructive feedback, and encouraged me to think critically and creatively about my work. What truly set her apart was her unwavering encouragement. She believed in me even when I doubted myself, and always knew how to motivate me to push through challenges (data analysis!) Whether it was celebrating small victories, offering words of reassurance during stressful times, or helping me navigate research obstacles, she was there every step of the way.
Dr. Ayana Malone, Urban Educational Leadership
As a doctoral student, the writing and editing process was overwhelming. Meghan’s support and expertise helped me to navigate this challenging editing process to finish my dissertation. Not only is she a talented editor, her positive reinforcement was just what I needed when I felt like I couldn’t possibly revise another draft. I don’t know what I would have done without her knowledge, guidance and positive feedback. The journey to achieve my doctorate was not an easy one, but she made the process more manageable. I finished on time and did not need any extra semesters!
Meghan is conscientious, enthusiastic, and committed to her field of work because she enjoys being a coach. She guides scholars to improve writing skills and make the appropriate corrections required by the chair and committee members’ feedback, as well as APA standards. She goes the extra mile to help scholars utilize resources that are helpful in building, supporting, and enhancing their work. Her MFA degree is helpful with structure and streamlining writing.
Dr. Antonia Nwogbo, Mathematics Education
Dr. Beth Napolitano, Higher Education Leadership