Rowena got her start in editing while studying biology at Laval University in Quebec City. She edited her francophone classmates’ written English and discovered how much she enjoys working with words. After a few more years as a biologist, she pursued a writing degree and editing classes, and in 2004 launched her freelance writing and editing career.
Starting with articles and reports about aquatic sciences and the environment, Rowena slowly expanded her range to include health, business, museum, education, and other non-fiction publications, as well as select fiction manuscripts. She particularly enjoys editing non-fiction trade books, children’s books, and magazines. She specializes in stylistic and copy editing projects, and she also does photo research and permissions.
Rowena teaches editing at Simon Fraser University and gives both workshops and one-on-one coaching to workplace writers and other writers wanting to hone their craft.
In her time away from editing and teaching, Rowena writes non-fiction books for children, and she collaborates with her sister as co-author of the award-winning Meg and Greg books, which feature illustrated short stories for children who are struggling with learning to read. Rowena lives in Victoria with her two book-loving daughters.