The Excellence of Elocution

Professional Writing & Editing services for Canadian authors, small businesses, not-for-profits, and RPG Gamers.

Emona Literary Services™ was founded in October 2024 by author, editor, and professional content creator Joel Balkovec, out of a desire to use my powers for good — specifically to provide support to other emerging authors and entrepreneurs, especially other Canadians.

In addition to nearly two decades of combined academic and professional experience as a writer and editor, Emona Literary Services™ follows the three that Guiding Principles set me apart from all the other writers and editors out there.

Heads up: You’re going to be seeing a lot of dragons…

“Why dragons?” you ask.

Well, one, dragons are awesome.

But, also, buckle up — you’re about to learn way more about the history of Central Europe under the Roman Empire than you probably ever wanted to know.

That sort of thing happens a lot with me…

“Emona” is the name of the ancient Roman fort that eventually became Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, the country my family is originally from. Like you can see in my header image, the emblem of the city of Ljubljana is the green dragon, associated with the mythical accounts of Jason and the Argonauts or St. George.

As both a Classicist and a Slovenian-Canadian, the choice to name my business Emona Literary Services™ is therefore meaningful to me in multiple ways — and I want my clients to find the work Emona Literary Services™ does as meaningful as I do myself.

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“I do words good.”

It’s important for businesses to have a good, strong elevator pitch. I’ve managed to work mine down to four words: I do words good.

I have extensive experience as a writer, editor, and creator: ample opportunities to prove that I do, in fact, do words good.

But don’t take my word for it.

I’ve included testimonials from past clients, co-workers, and supervisors that speak to my ability and professionalism:

• 19 manuscripts edited for Renaissance, a Canadian small press.
  
• Author services including copy editing, line editing, proofreading, formatting, and beta reading.
  
• Web editing for community organisations across Canada & student blogs at Algonquin College.
  
• Copy editing of weekly climate news posts for the Covering Climate Now project via WhoWhatWhy
  
• Resume editing for various professional across industries: government, finance, tech.

And remember that unnecessary comma on Page 147 that I said I’d edit last?

I lied.

• Blogging reliably & regularly across various platforms – including WordPress and Substack – since 2017.
  
• Contributor to leading Entertainment websites including Screen Rant and the FanSided Network.
  
• Pro bono web writing support for local community organisations.

• Acquisitions for Renaissance Press (2020-2026).
  
• Proofreading & quality assurance of manuscripts and article copy to be published.
  
• Document layout: books, articles, brochures, magazines, newsletters.
  
• Independently publishing the Realmgard series of all-ages Fantasy stories since 2017.
  
• Works published in Carleton and Alongquin student journals and Fantasy fiction anthologies.

• Writing reviews, Pop Culture commentary – movies, games, anime.
  
• Curating an official Emona Literary Services™ Spotify playlist.
  
• Utilise DaVinci Resolve to cut and edit videos.
  
• Video content focusing on short-form trivia videos for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
  
• Long-form video content including Unboxing videos.
  
• Providing exclusive content to subscribers on Patreon and Substack.

“What’s Your Story, Stranger?”

Since 2025, I’ve been focusing on developing more as a presenter and educator. The main result of this has been the RPG character writing seminar I’ve been developing since early 2025.

Like many Fantasy adventures, we begin in a tavern. Put yourself in the mindset of an adventurer and as you settle down with your drink, reflect on the moments and history that brought you here.

Based on his experience as an author, RPG player, and GM, Joel Balkovec guides participants through an interactive workshop that will turn a basic character concept into a fleshed-out individual with a full history, backstory, and personality.

By the time you leave the tavern tonight, you’ll be fully equipped with an ideal character.

Keep an eye on the Emona Literary Services™ blog for the latest news about upcoming sessions of “What’s Your Story, Stranger?”.