Editing & Stylistic Revision for Scholarly & Research-Based Writing

Sean Tommasi

Academic & Scholarly Editorial Specialist

Clarity and precision for manuscripts where ideas matter.
[ specialization: research-driven manuscripts ]
[ focus: clarity, structure, scholarship ]
status › ACCEPTING_SCHOLARLY_MANUSCRIPTS › academic & academic-adjacent projects especially welcome

Overview

I specialize in editing manuscripts where clarity, structure, and intellectual rigor directly affect outcomes, including dissertations, monographs, journal articles, grant proposals, and policy or research reports.

Scholars, institutions, and research organizations turn to me when ambiguity would be costly: tenure decisions, publication prospects, grant competition, or the credibility of formal research output.

My work strengthens the argument, improves readability, and ensures stylistic consistency—without diluting the author’s voice or analytical nuance.

> manuscript clarity > structural coherence > reader-oriented precision

Background & Approach

I hold a PhD in comparative literature and have a long-standing interest in how arguments are built on the page—not just at the level of sentences, but at the level of structure and emphasis.

My editorial experience includes work on:

  • Academic monographs in the humanities, social sciences, and economics
  • Research-based and technical manuscripts aimed at practitioners and advanced students
  • Dissertations and dissertation-to-book revisions
  • Articles, reports, and book projects for institutes and scholarly-oriented publishers

In practice, this means I am comfortable following dense, technical, or philosophical arguments while still paying close attention to rhythm, tone, and the experience of the eventual reader.

Editorial Focus

I help authors strengthen the clarity, structure, and coherence of research-driven manuscripts. The level of work varies by project, but typically includes:

  • Line-level editing for precision, tone, and readability
  • Structural clarity — ensuring arguments are easy to follow
  • Smoothing dense or technical passages without simplification
  • Consistency in terminology, phrasing, and citation handling
  • Preparation for submission to scholarly presses or journals
Formats: monographs, dissertations (and dissertation-to-book conversions), journal articles, grant proposals, research-based trade nonfiction, and policy/think-tank reports.

Who I Work With

I am a strong fit for authors and organizations whose work requires clarity and intellectual rigor:

  • Academic faculty preparing manuscripts or edited collections
  • PhD candidates polishing dissertation chapters or articles
  • Scholars adapting research into publishable monographs
  • Institutes and think tanks producing analytical reports
  • Authors of research-based nonfiction
  • Labs and research groups preparing grant proposals

If your writing involves complex argumentation or specialized audiences, I likely can help.

Process

A straightforward and collaborative workflow:

  1. Initial discussion: Scope, stakes, and timeline.
  2. Sample review: A short excerpt to calibrate style and needs.
  3. Proposal: Clear estimate and schedule.
  4. Edit: Line and structural refinement with concise annotations.
  5. Review: You remain in full control over revisions.

Longer manuscripts may be phased so you can confirm editorial approach before committing to the full text.

Contact

To start a conversation about your project, please include:

  • Project type and intellectual domain
  • Intended audience or publication venue
  • Approximate word count
  • Your ideal timeline
  • (Optional) A short excerpt (for example, 3–5 pages)

Email: