About Erin
I’m Erin Parker—a lifelong voracious reader who’s now a professional editor.
As an editor and writing coach with extensive literary training and over nine years of freelance and in-house publishing experience, combined, I take great pleasure in collaborating with authors to develop and refine their fiction and non-fiction books for traditional and self-publishing.
I have a BA (Western), MA (Western), and PhD in English Literature (Toronto) and taught several undergraduate literature courses at the University of Toronto. This educational background has given me a comprehensive appreciation of literary traditions, genres, and techniques, as well as deep empathy for other writers. I know firsthand how much passion and grit are needed to tackle long writing projects and all the revising that is required to transform a rough draft into a polished book.
I have taken courses through Ryerson’s Publishing Program, including “Trade Publishing,” “Copy Editing,” and “Editing Books for Children and Teens”; facilitated seminars as co-chair of Editors BC’s professional development committee (2016 to 2018); and honed my skills by completing three internships at HarperCollins Canada and Penguin Random House Canada, with whom I have since worked on contract and as a freelancer. Other clients include Arsenal Pulp Press, Greystone Books, Harlequin, House of Anansi, Page Two, and many independent authors. I’m currently a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).
In 2015, I moved from Toronto to the Vancouver area with my husband. These days, my spare time is spent reading books with our kids, Max and Felix; playing board games (current favourites include Decrypto, The Crew, and Creature Comforts); and exploring neighbourhood hiking trails.
Contact me to discuss your coaching and editing needs—I hope we get a chance to work together soon!
“Erin sees to the heart of the matter and, in case you have somehow missed it yourself, she points you there in no uncertain terms. One of the things that is lovely about her process is that she moves easily from the tiniest details to the overarching themes and then sews them together in a lovely workable pre-wrapped package. She is fearless. Her spontaneous enthusiasm for a well-turned phrase or image or an occasional chapter is given without hesitation. If there is some element that she knows can be better, she tells you without a trace of judgment or rancor. She brings to the table joy, high energy, and the sharpest street smarts. As George and Ira Gershwin would say, ‘Who could ask for anything more?’”
—David Berner, author of Daniel’s Book of Daughters (generational family novel)