Thoughtfully crafted.

Professionally refined.

At Polished Proof & Pen, every sentence matters — and so does the voice behind it.

Meet Joanne McGowan, a freelance writer and copy editor dedicated to helping authors, entrepreneurs, organizations, and creatives communicate with precision and impact.

Whether you’re crafting something new or perfecting what you’ve already written, Joanne will transform raw ideas into clean, compelling, publication-ready work.

Because great writing isn’t just read.

It’s felt, understood, and remembered.

A cozy workspace with a laptop, notebooks, and a cup of coffee, reflecting a writer's environment.
A cozy workspace with a laptop, notebooks, and a cup of coffee, reflecting a writer's environment.

Experience Matters

Joanne’s editorial career spans newsroom proofreading, national-level feature writing, and meticulous transcription and editing work.

Since 2014, she has been a freelance writer for Postmedia Network Inc.— interviewing, transcribing, and writing branded content articles from start to finish. Before that, she proofread for The Edmonton Sun newspaper and worked in transcription and quality control for Advanis Inc.

This combined experience means she doesn’t just understand writing; she understands the entire process of shaping ideas into clear, engaging, publication-ready content.

Services Snapshot

Clear. Confident. Publication-ready.
Polished Proof & Pen offers a suite of editorial and writing services designed to elevate your message — whether you need a full article from scratch or a meticulous final review before hitting “publish.”

Writing & Content Creation
Engaging, accurate, and tailored writing for articles, profiles, web copy, newsletters, and creative or professional projects.

Copy Editing
A detailed, thoughtful refinement of your text — improving flow, clarity, structure, consistency, and overall readability while preserving your voice.

Proofreading
A precise final check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and small errors that can undermine credibility.

Transcription
Clean, accurate transcripts of interviews, conversations, and other audio recordings — ideal for writers, researchers, and professionals who need reliable source material.

Whether you’re an author, business owner, storyteller, student, or communications professional, you can count on polished work delivered with care, attention, and editorial expertise.

a cup of coffee and a pen on a wooden table
a cup of coffee and a pen on a wooden table

Why Work With Polished Proof & Pen?

Because you deserve writing support that’s not only skilled, but seamless.

With two decades of professional experience spanning journalism, proofreading, transcription, and editorial support, Joanne brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to every project. Clients value working with someone who understands the full lifecycle of written communication — from raw notes to publication-ready copy.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with Polished Proof & Pen:

✔ A Writer Who’s Also an Experienced Proofreader and Copy Editor

Joanne has spent years crafting stories, interviewing sources, transcribing conversations, and polishing final drafts. She understands how ideas evolve — and she knows how to elevate them with clarity, structure, and a refined editorial touch.

✔ Precision You Can Trust

With experience proofreading for a major Canadian publication, accuracy and consistency are second nature. Joanne brings a meticulous eye to grammar, style, voice, and flow, ensuring your message is both polished and authentic.

✔ A Calm, Professional Process

Clear communication, organized workflows, reliable timelines, and no surprises. You get a partner who respects your project — and your time.

✔ Content That Reflects You

Your voice matters. Whether Joanne is copy editing, proofreading, or writing from scratch, she focuses on maintaining your tone, strengthening your message, and supporting your goals.

✔ A Collaborative Approach

Great writing is a conversation. Joanne listens closely, asks the right questions, and creates a supportive space for your ideas to take shape.

woman wearing yellow long-sleeved dress under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

Polished Proof & Pen caught every detail I missed—my manuscript shines now.

J. Lee

A smiling woman reviewing a printed manuscript with a red pen in hand.
A smiling woman reviewing a printed manuscript with a red pen in hand.

Their editing gave my article clarity and flow; I’m proud to share it widely.

M. Chen

Close-up of a laptop screen displaying edited text with tracked changes.
Close-up of a laptop screen displaying edited text with tracked changes.
★★★★★
★★★★★