Creative Editing and Development

Looking for help in writing, editing or coaching? Let’s get in touch!

Shoilee Khan

Experienced Writer, Coach, Consultant

Welcome to this misty corner of the woods where I write, dream, share, and listen to stories. When I’m not spinning stories from the light in the leaves, I’m intent on bringing your stories to life through the art of editing, teaching, critique, and analysis. As an editor, educator, and academic with over 20 years of experience writing and editing fiction, non-fiction, and academic manuscripts, I am invigorated by stories and the people who want to tell them.

Services

Writing

Creative writer with expertise in copy writing for websites, creative content for businesses, op-eds, speech writing, letter writing, memoir, autobiography, children’s literature, and ghostwriting.

Coaching & Consulting

Providing keen assessments, razor-sharp criticism, and practical guidance for your creative, personal, and professional writing projects.

Editing & Analysis

Providing both deep developmental edits and succinct copy edits on a multitude of writing projects including short and long form fiction and non-fiction, children’s literature, academic writing, professional communications, website copy, and book projects.

View My Publications & Projects

A collection of personal essays bridging the connection between personal and collective disaster: The Intimate Disaster.

Generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council Literary Arts Grant, 2024.

PhD dissertation exploring how writers write about disaster. Exploring works of 21st century memoir and fiction, theorizing the intimacies of disaster and disaster writing.

Supported by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) grant.

Speaking & Moderating

Providing seamless, thoughtful, and informed hosting for your literary events.

With experience organizing, curating, and hosting reading series for literary festivals and community events featuring emerging and internationally acclaimed writers, I find the essence of every work and cultivate thoughtful, meaningful, and relevant conversations between writers and their readers. Having curated and hosted readings for the Bluegate Reading Collective, the Festival of Literary Diversity, as well as community-focused events that cultivate spaces of deep understanding and exchange for underrepresented communities (racialized, LGBTQ+, women) I care deeply about creating equitable conversations that create meaningful experiences for readers and writers.

“Working with Shoilee has been a game-changer for my writing. Her expertise in editing my work is marked by precision. She was able to offer suggestions for rewording certain sentences that were unclear and ask questions in areas that required more details for clarity. I especially liked how she was forthcoming from the beginning regarding my expectations for the editing. My work is fast-paced, and I really appreciated how she meets the deadlines that we set. Working with Shoilee has greatly improved my confidence in submitting to publications, and I am very happy to work with her.”

I have worked closely with Shoilee on both children's picture book manuscripts and my personal memoirs. Prior to working with Shoilee as an editor, I was struggling to bring my manuscripts to the "final draft" versions that I needed in order to seek publishing. The work was falling short of that special sheen that would distinguish it from the countless other manuscripts and books in the world. One of Shoilee's great strengths is her creativity. She's able to look at a story and conceptualize it at a far higher level. She went above and beyond to ensure I was considering every possible direction my work could take: exploring different (stronger) storylines & conflicts, building more relatable characters, and establishing endings that would leave a reader satisfied. I highly recommend working with Shoilee!

I am absolutely happy to have had Shoilee as my PhD dissertation editor. Since English is not my first language, there were obviously moments where my statements did not sound as native-like as an English reader may expect—and that is where Shoilee helped me. Shoilee is a very engaging editor, leaving comments where necessary and at times leaving the decision of change for the writer. She does not impose her own writing style to the text and tries to maintain the author's signature in the text. Her detailed review and editing are outstanding, and her concern with the mechanics of the text, so precise. Overall, I really enjoyed the editing process that we had together, which, at times, turned out to be more like discussions and exchanging ideas. I would 100% suggest Shoilee's editing expertise to anyone who may look for a precise, professional, and compassionate editor.

Shoilee Khan has edited my fictional work, and I can say without any doubt that she is an outstanding editor! Shoilee is one of those rare editors who pays attention to detail without losing sight of the larger context. She's also supportive and encouraging, and she brings to every piece of writing new and fresh insights.

Shoilee is my secret weapon for my business. She helps me articulate exactly what I'm trying to express while keeping my voice in mind throughout my piece. She has edited dozens of my blogs and has been a superb host for our intimate events. Shoilee will focus on the spirit of your work, and help make it shine brighter than what an AI bot could do. If you want real growth in your business, writing, or personal development, you need to work with Shoilee. If you do, you will know how lucky you are to have her support. I cannot recommend her enough!