Patrick Farrell
In an era of artificial intelligence, I bring human attention and human intelligence to ensure every element of your writing is as good as it can be.
Beginning as a copy editor at the English-language daily The New Anatolian in Turkey, he transitioned into professional editing of academic and commercial book projects in 2015. He's worked on 20+ books and memoirs over the last decade, including as a primary editor on Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond (2018) and Women and Psychedelics (2024).
Beyond book editing, Patrick served as the in-house editor for the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies to copy edit and help prepare for publication reviews and reports commissioned by NGOs, and private and governmental agencies. In 2024 he became the in-house editor and policy developer at Stay at Home Nursing, a home healthcare company based in Toronto. Most recently he was brought on to copy edit the journal History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals published by the University of Wisconsin Press.
Patrick's editorial toolkit is rounded out with strong writing, research, and communication skills. He has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed articles specializing in the early history of psychedelics. His passion for ideas extended to nearly 15-years teaching at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, where he developed multiple courses in the history of ideas, delivering more than 25 class-sections to more than 300 students.
Contact Patrick at pherzen@gmail.com.
Professional Editing Services
Developmental and substantive editing
Copy editing and proofreading
Manuscription preparation and production editing
Indexing
Published Books
The Brain's Way of Healing
by Norman Doidge
Assistant, copy editing, research
The Uses of Humans in Experiment: Perspectives From the 17th to the 20th Century
by Erika Dyck & Larry Stewart
Index
A Culture's Catalyst: Historical Encounters with Peyote and the Native American Church In Canada
by Fannie Kahan & Erika Dyck
Index
Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond
by Patrick Farrell et al.
Copy editing, annotations, index
Prairie Fairies: A History of Queer Communities and People in Western Canada, 1930–1985
by Valerie J. Korinek
Index
Hermann Cohen and the Crisis of Liberalism
by Paul E. Nahme
Index
Challenging Choices: Canada's Population Control in the 1970s
by Erika Dyck & Maureen Lux
Editing
Yiddish in Israel: A History
by Rachel Rojanski
Index
Editorial Expertise
I'm a professional editor with over 20 years of experience helping writers bring clarity, precision, and depth to their work.
I've contributed to more than two dozen book projects, offering everything from meticulous copy editing to substantive structural revisions. My editorial services include fact-checking, annotation, and indexing, ensuring each manuscript is not only polished but also rigorous and reliable. Whether working with first-time authors or seasoned professionals, I bring a thoughtful, collaborative approach to every project—respecting the writer's voice while refining the final product for maximum impact.
Client Testimonials
Patrick Farrell's impressive passion for the history of science and for literature made him an ideal helper when he began working with me halfway through the long process. He helped as my assistant, with copy editing, with tracking down research, and above all by providing his extremely thoughtful, nuanced reactions to the chapters.
Norman Doidge
The Brain's Way of Healing
I am indebted to my dear friend and second set of eyes, Patrick Farrell. He has been my editor for many years and has made a habit of improving my work at every turn. In this case he truly exceeded expectations, scouring libraries and digital repositories for both iconic and rare images. His input and passion for psychedelic history has fundamentally helped to bring this book to completetion.
Erika Dyck
Psychedelics: A Visual Odyssey
To Masa Shimozato, for designing the beautiful cover, and to the entire Shimozato family for their kindness and support. I'm especially grateful to you for introducing me to Patrick Farrell – a wonderful editor whose thoughtful guidance, care, and encouragement went far beyond the words on the page.
Miyo Kozasa & Linda Page
Winter Never Fails to Turn to Spring: Miyo's Story
Thanks especially to Patrick Farrell, who read the entire manuscript and offered detailed feedback.
Erika Dyck & Maureen Lux
Challenging Choices: Canada's Population Control in the 1970s
I also wish to acknowledge the outstanding, timely, and professional editorial support provided by my book editor, Patrick Farrell.
Yishin Khoo
Educating for Citizenship in a Canada-China Sister School Reciprocal Learning Partnership: A West-East Collaborative Inquiry
The authors also appreciated the substantive editing by Sara Allin and Gregory Marchildon and the copy-editing work of Patrick Farrell, and the editorial staff at the European Observatory.
Miguel A Gonzalez Block et al.
Health Systems in Transition: Mexico
We acknowledge the assistance of editor Patrick Farrell in ensuring the integrity of the narrative
Cheryl Troupe & Doris Jeanne Mackinnon
Metis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition
Thank you to Patrick Farrell… for various editorial and production work.
Cheryl Troupe
Putting Down Roots: Metis Agency, Land Use, and Women's Food Labour in a Qu'Appelle Valley Road Allowance Community
Contact Patrick Farrell
Email pherzen@gmail.com to talk about how I can help with your project.