Harley Galarneau

Harley Galarneau is an well-known historian and poet of today’s Canadian Youth, pursuing a degree in cultural anthropology with a storytelling focus at the University of Lethbridge in southern Alberta. Growing up in the small western town of Okotoks, he developed a passionate love for history and cultivated his reputation as a civic public servant for social justice. When he isn’t running his storytelling-led editing business, Cyrus Literary Productions, Harley works as a writer and journalist at the University of Lethbridge’s independent newspaper, The Meliorist, spending his free time writing darkly unconventional stories, supporting his local community, and advocating for Indigenous sovereignty, the 2SLGBTQIA+, and disability rights. He is the admin of the online MMIW resource, The Reconcili-Action Database, and a three time published short story author. His works are available to view here.

“I believe that we, as artists and storytellers, craft our creations with fragments of our souls in order to sustain their existence. It’s what makes them home.”

He pursues dark and unconventional storytelling in both editorial and personal manuscripts.

Services

Portfolio

Upcoming Projects

How Is Cyrus Edits Different?

There are hundreds of indie editing companies and freelance editors available nowadays. How is my brand different? Why choose Cyrus Literary Productions over other freelancing? The answer lies in three values: Integrity, Storytelling, and Patience.

Integrity

  • My developmental, line/copy, and structural editing is always subtle — the writing still feels like yours.

  • Your writing style is a priority and is always non-negotiable in edits.

  • I have a university background in history, anthropology, and Indigenous studies. I’m an aro-ace spectrum, transgender, gender non-conforming, queer, poly, disabled storyteller. Henceforth, I fact-check to adhere to cultural sensitivity, never for ethnocentric, heteronormative, or allonormative standards of literalism.

  • My prices are below industry standard. I edit because I love to uplift stories, never for an income.

    • Cyrus Edits: 0.012$ USD per word

    • Industry Standard: 0.020$ USD to 0.080$ USD per word.

Storytelling

  • My mantra is STORY-TELL, NOT STORY-SELL! I edit to improve storytelling, never to mold a profitable product. We are creatives first!

  • I encourage unconventional, non-linear, dark, weird, unpopular, niche, and unique storytelling that is true to you.

Patience

  • You’re scared to share your work but know it’s the next step? Take your time, I’ll be here for you whenever you decide.

    • I once didn’t receive a manuscript for a full year from one client. We stayed in connection and contact through it all, working to boost their self-confidence in their writing.

  • There’s no race for booking. I understand you have a life. You’re human beings, not human doings. Once you reach out to me, I have you mentally booked for the next three months for if you decide to continue our professional relationship.

  • I have a 0% tolerance towards giving harsh critiques. Being kind while being constructive is the easiest thing in the world. I can get my point across without belittling people (bare minimum wow).

  • I never leave you unsure. You don’t understand an edit? I’m there to not only thoroughly explain my reasoning, but additionally to PROVIDE resources for you to improve!

    • IDK = Not in our vocabulary.

Client Testimonials of 2025

  • M.K Rylynn, Author of Time Bomb's Dream (JULY 2025)

    “Cyrus Literary Productions is unlike any I’ve ever worked with. Every part of the process was smooth and never once did I feel anxious, I always felt like my work and I were in good hands. Right off the bat, Harley was so kind and cheerful, the more we worked the more that positive energy grew. I was always confident of my work but after meeting with Harley, my confidence skyrocketed and I always looked forward to every meeting, every edit, and every email that came from him. I would HIGHLY recommend his editing services to other indie authors because this is a kind of experience you won’t get anywhere else. 

    If you want a “hype man” and you want your book to be loved and respected as much as you love and respect it, Cyrus Literary Productions is the way to go. 

    I will definitely be back for my future projects. Thank you Harley! (Keep an eye out for a movie premiere invite…)”

  • Keirsten "Kris" Robertson, Author of Blind Birds Flying Frantically (COMING JANURARY 2026)

    “Working with Cyrus Literary Publishing Services has been an empowering experience. As an 2-spirt Indigenous indie author, they have provided the tools needed to pave the way for me to self-publish my first book. I also appreciate how they’ve instilled in me the confidence needed to do so. I’ve always struggled with the technical aspects of writing, and I truly appreciate the seamless editing and education they have provide in our time working together. What sets Cyrus apart is their ability to build strong professional and personal relationships, while also engaging with other meaningful content alongside me. I’m incredibly proud of their work and will continue to recommend their services!”

  • Eden Chesters, Author of The Wellday Murder (COMING SPRING 2026)

    “I have been extremely impressed with your feedback, and editing style. I am so glad that I discovered you and that you are my editor. Your work is really good and so adaptable with a variety of options and styles to fit the customer’s needs, making the editing experience a whole lot less stressful.”

“Art should comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable.”

— Cesar A. Cruz