Behind the Words
Joanne has loved words for as long as she can remember. At age 12 she fell in love with newspapers — not just the stories, but the columnists, the cadence, the rhythm of voices shaping the world, one article at a time. She was certain she’d grow up to be a sports columnist, travelling with her favourite athletes and telling their stories to readers who lived for the next issue.
But life first took her down a different path.
Choosing to pursue her other passion — wildlife biology — while in university and earning her science degree, Joanne continued to write during every spare moment. That balance of analytical detail and creative clarity became the foundation for how she works today.
...of Polished Proof & Pen
About Joanne McGowan
Writer. Copy Editor. Proofreader. Storyshaper.
Joanne's professional writing journey began in 2005 with proofreading and transcription work for Advanis Inc., followed by a role as a newsroom proofreader at The Edmonton Sun (working alongside some of the columnists she'd long admired!). In 2014, Joanne joined Postmedia Network Inc. as a freelance writer — a role that became the perfect hybrid of everything she loves: interviewing people, transcribing conversations, crafting narratives, and polishing every sentence until it feels true, clear, and complete.
For more than a decade, she's written articles, features, and profiles for organizations across Canada — and every step of the process, from transcription to copy editing, has remained a part of her craft. It’s also what drives her volunteer work with the Edmonton and Area Land Trust, where she contributes research-based blog posts and social media content that help connect Albertans with the natural world. Blending storytelling with ecology allows her to bring both sides of her training — science and writing — into meaningful service.
Polished Proof & Pen Inc. is the home that Joanne's created for that craft: a place where precision meets heart, and where every project is shaped with the same passion she's carried since those early days of reading newspapers at her mom's kitchen table.
Freelance Writer, Postmedia Network Inc.
Branded content articles completed end-to-end: interviewing, transcribing, writing, and delivering polished final drafts.
Proofreader, The Edmonton Sun
Publication-ready proofreading and headline checks in a fast-paced, daily deadline environment.
Transcription & Quality Control, Advanis Inc.
High-accuracy transcription, proofreading, and internal quality review work.
Volunteer Writer, Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT)
Researching and writing blog posts and social media content that highlight conservation efforts, local species, and Alberta’s natural spaces — the perfect blend of Joanne's passion for wildlife and her love of storytelling.
Polished by Experience
