Book editor
Robert Murray
Books edited: fiction in every genre, non-fiction of every type, biography and memoir.
- 35+years editing professionally
- 240+books edited by Robert and EditFast since 1998
- 3publishers: Harcourt, Prentice Hall and Chartwell
Editing for more than 35 years
Professional editor for more than 35 years. Edited novels, biographies and screenplays for publication for the publishers Harcourt, Prentice Hall and Chartwell. Also edited scientific papers published in Nature, technical manuals, and construction specifications for the Three Gorges Dam.
Studied English literature at the University of British Columbia (BA Honours) and the University of Victoria (MA studies). Thesis: the creation of Canadian mythology through fiction.
Every kind of book
- Fiction
- Novels and short stories in every genre, including mystery, suspense, spy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance and historical fiction.
- Non-fiction
- All types, including narrative non-fiction, history, business, self-help, how-to and textbooks.
- Biography and memoir
- Biographies, memoirs and family histories.
- Screenplays
- Scripts for film and television.
- Comics, manga and graphic novels
- Original and translated scripts and lettered pages, for all ages through adult.
- Translated books
- English translated from another language, edited so it reads as natural English. Ten years living and working in Japan; running a translation company since 1998.
- Children's books
- Picture books and middle-grade books.
- Photo and travel books
- Text for photo books and travel books.
- Educational books
- Textbooks and teaching materials from elementary school to university, for Harcourt and Prentice Hall.
Services
Manuscript assessment
A read of the whole book and a written report on what works and what to fix.
Structural editing
Plot, pacing, structure, character and argument.
Copy editing
Sentence-level clarity, consistency and style, to Chicago Manual of Style.
Proofreading
The final check before publication.
Books edited
Robert and EditFast have edited more than 240 books since 1998. A selection:
Fiction 29
- 2025The Magi-scope, by Peter Hoey · historical novel
- 2022Petitions, by Paul Jannuzzi · novel
- 2021And Cool My Tongue, by Glenn MacDonald · Christian novel
- 2021The Ninth Precept, by Francis McDonald · novel
- 2019Zombie Dreams · novel
- 2019The Last Deal · detective novel
- 2018The California Killing Field
- 2017Escape, by Gabriela Voiculescu · novel
- 2017Dragon's Breath · novel
- 2016Knotweeds: Life in the Cracks · novel
- 2016Cage's Crew, by Martin Archer · novel
- 2016Epic Archer Saga, by Martin Archer · novel series
- 2015On Our Own, by Mark Dowd · novel
- 2015Eagles Claw, by R.P. Wollbaum · novel
- 2015Autum's Grey and Autum's Grey 2 · novels
- 2015Noggle · young adult novel
- 2015Threads of the Departed: Strands, by Mary Aiello · historical mystery
- 2013Blowfish, by Van Scott Fulton · spy thriller
- 2013Saltwater Kisses · novel
- 2011World of Grayham, Book One · fantasy novel
- 2010The Brotherhood Lynching Society, by Willie Richardson
- 2010A Tale of Youth and Sorrow, by Michael Logarta · young adult novel
- 2010Full Circle, by Denise Hengst · novel
- 2009Copadrama: A Brazilian Tragicomedy, by Isabela Martins · novel translated from Portuguese
- 2009God's Only Daughter, by Damon Galeassi · novel
- 2009Eclipse and The Global Warming Mega-affect, by Willie Richardson · novel
- 2009Life Interrupted, by Francesca Grillo · fiction
- 2009First Love, by Violet Niggl · fiction
- 2009It's My Ball, by Allyn Coover
Memoir and biography 11
- 2018Scavenger · memoir
- 2018My 5 Days in Heaven, by Megan Brown · memoir
- 2018The Loneliest Road, by Shaun Cyr · travel memoir
- 2016Maman, by Moris Niknam · memoir of the author's mother
- 2015Sempre avanti! La storia della mia vita · memoir
- 2015The Remains of My Day · memoir
- 2014The Life and Times of E-7 · family memoir
- 2013Out of the Shadows, by Nina Perez Reed · memoir
- 2013Khawadja Khartoum · autobiography
- 2010Manitoba Grey Bellies, by Eric Walthall · memoir
- 2010The Boy From Bterram, by Frances Mourani · biography
Non-fiction 25
- 2022Data Analytics in the Public Sector, by Betty Ann M. Turpin
- 2021Confessions of a Psycho-therapist, by Steve Long
- 2021Living a Bigger Life, by Tammy Wark
- 2020Democratic Socialism and Education in Jamaica
- 2019To Thine Own Health Be True
- 2018Many Things Most Christians Do Not Know
- 2018MAN-ifestation, by Cord Proctor
- 2018Happy in a Sad World, by Sharon D. Smith
- 2018Woman Up: Nice Girls Finish Last, by Athena Woodford
- 2017Redefining a Life
- 2017Reflections on Persian Grammar
- 2016Developments in Persian · linguistics
- 2016Social Quotient, by Donald Macfarlane
- 2015Civility Rules!
- 2015Syntax-Phonology Interface in Chinese Dialects · linguistics
- 2015Polish Campaign 1939 · military history
- 2013Financial Analysis for Technology Managers
- 2012Call of the Cosmic Wild · science
- 2010Fish on the Roof, by Nobuyoshi Ozaki · US–Japan relations
- 2010Spice to the Body, by Trizann Buultjens
- 2010No Limits Prescription for Life, by Rabia D'Andrade
- 2009Cancer from A to Z, by Becky King · health
- 2009Live the Life You Dreamed, by Ardiana Cohn · self-help
- 2009Daily Meditations, by Wendell Hodgson
- 2009B.P.D. Book, by Helen Albanese · psychology
Children's books 4
- 2024ChewBarka and Mike, by Diane Totland
- 2021A Very Strange Year, Prairie Pals, Party at the Zoo and Bark Oink Moo, by Diane Totland
- 2015The Rainbow Forest · middle-grade novel in verse
- 2012Monster in My Shoe · picture book
Photo and travel books 2
- 2026Where the Wild Still Breathes, by Richard Bolt
- 2024A Journey Home, by Richard Bolt
Robert and the EditFast team also edited 1,135 other documents from 2008 to 2020. See the documents edited.
Why authors choose this service
- 35+ years editing professionally
- 240+ books edited by Robert and EditFast since 1998
- 10,000+ projects edited and delivered, including novels, biographies and textbooks
- Publishers: Harcourt, Prentice Hall and Chartwell
- Magazines: Today, Chatelaine and Off Road Trucking
- Journals: Nature, The Scientist, Canadian Journal of Chemistry and Journal of Climate
- BA (Honours) English, University of British Columbia, with an emphasis on Canadian fiction, Milton, Shakespeare, the British and American novel, and critical theory
- MA studies in English, University of Victoria. Thesis: The Creation of Canadian Mythology Through Fiction
- Chicago Manual of Style, the standard for book publishing
- 4,000+ editors and writers managed at EditFast
What people say
He is a very fine writer and speaker… he drew upon his life experience and his wide reading in literature and criticism. Therefore, without reservation, I recommend that you employ him.
Mr. Murray performed solidly in my course in the 18th century novel. He is a thoughtful, articulate and personable young man… I recommend him most highly.
As a university researcher and professor for over 35 years, I have submitted more than 400 articles to various scientific journals… I have contacted more than 50 specialists and Mr. Murray is one of the top specialists among them. Robert has never failed to accomplish my requests on time and with perfection.
His exceptional work in the arena of professional writing, editing, and proofreading exceeded my personal and professional expectations… I trust him, and I have great respect for his editing and writing skills.
Bob has edited and proofread numerous medical and clinical documents, reports and journal articles with professionalism at all times. His skills are unsurpassed… his attention to detail is second to none.
Robert is a talented man with an easygoing manner that belies the power behind his creativity and resourcefulness.
Other work
Cultural and charitable organizations
- Nelson Mandela Foundation, South Africa — pro bono promotional and awareness materials
- DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago — educational materials
- World Food Programme (WFP) — proposals and study documents for a malaria prevention programme
Career
- 1998–presentFounder and Editor in Chief, EditFast and TranslationHelp
- 2010–presentFounder, Sunshine Coast Cottage Watch and Sunshine Coast Boat Watch, Sunshine Coast, BC
- 2006–2011Search Quality Rater, Google, through a contracted rating vendor
- 1999–2002Director, Language Consulting, IBM Japan / Lotus Japan, Tokyo
- 1997–2000Founder, 99 Red Balloons Japan, Tokyo, sold at a profit after three years
- 1992–1997English technical and marketing consultant, NKK (now JFE Steel), Japan
- Early 1990sBranch manager, Household Trust, Richmond, BC
- 1978–80, 1985–86Counsellor and shift supervisor, Cariboo Action Training Society, Prince George, BC
- EarlierHighway surveyor on the Dempster Highway in the Arctic, by dog sled and Twin Otter
Other clients included Google, IBM, Kodak, Nokia, Ericsson, Ford, Caterpillar, Cartier, Kraft Foods, Heinz, Costco, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, the United Nations and the governments of Canada, the United States and China.
Away from the desk
Sea kayak expert, open-water diver, hiker, cyclist and amateur astronomer.
Other TilyD Enterprises Ltd. sites
- editfast.comEditing and proofreading, since 1998
- EditorVerified.comQuality-control standards for AI-written content: checklists, scoring rubrics, an audit tool and human editorial review
- editingtests.comTests for editors
- writertesting.comTests for writers
- IndustryTests.comWorking-knowledge tests for jobs in thousands of industries, checked by industry experts
- IndustryTesting.caThe Canadian version of IndustryTests.com, with Canadian spelling, prices and rules
- secretcovepress.comIndependent publisher on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
- theorangeraven.comThe Legend of the Orange Raven, a historical novel in thirty chapters, with the history of ravens and people behind it
- thelasthypothesis.comOn the question of why there is anything at all
- contentedmanager.comContent strategy for business owners
- mycottagewatch.comScheduled, photographed property checks for cottages and homes while the owners are away
- tilyd.comThe company behind EditFast and its sister sites
- adbubbles.comSmall, low-cost ads that appear when a reader points at a keyword
- camphostjobs.comPaid and volunteer campground host jobs in parks and campgrounds across Canada and the US
- EverySeniorBenefits.comGuides to US benefits for seniors, including Social Security, SSI, Medicare and Extra Help, with a benefits check
- oasguide.caStep-by-step guides and calculators for Canada's public pensions: OAS, GIS and CPP, including the clawback, deferral and appeals
- marketplacetips.comHelp for people who sell on online marketplaces
- offgridmanuals.comGuides to living off-grid in Canada: provincial rules, buying rural land and sizing power systems for Canadian winters
- gvls.comGlobal Village Language Services
- vuhi.ca
- vuyu.ca
Describe your book
Send the word count, the genre, the type of editing the book needs and anything else relevant.
If you would like a formal estimate, please send the manuscript, or at least a 4-page sample and the book's total word count.