Overview
With multiple awards, six years of professional writing and editing experience, several book and short story publications of my own, and an MFA in writing for children, I'm happy to help you with your writing and editing needs! As a professional editor and writer who has worked for publishers such as Pearson, Boyds Mills Press, Avenue A Books, and Pioneer Valley Books, I specialize in children's books and educational publishing. The services I offer include writing, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading for fiction and nonfiction picture books, MG and YA novels, MG and YA graphic novels, and educational materials (e.g., lesson plans, teaching guides, etc.). I'm also happy to review art and illustrations.
When working with you, I'm all about teamwork and collaboration. I want us to work closely together to create the best product possible and to maintain the integrity of the vision that you have for your publication, and I'm always willing to talk things through with you. Though the creative process of writing and revising takes time, I'm here to guide you through that process and help you create something you can be proud of!
When working with you, I'm all about teamwork and collaboration. I want us to work closely together to create the best product possible and to maintain the integrity of the vision that you have for your publication, and I'm always willing to talk things through with you. Though the creative process of writing and revising takes time, I'm here to guide you through that process and help you create something you can be proud of!
Services
Fiction
Children's
Comics & Graphic Novels
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Awards
- Honorable Mention, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Contest, 2016
- Honorable Mention, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Contest, 2018
- Kachel Prize for Writing, Lehigh University, 2011
- Cybils Award nominee, Alexis vs. Summer Vacation, Graphic Novel category, Avenue A Books, 2019
- New English Book Show award, Birds of a Feather Paired Readers, El-Hi Category, Pioneer Valley Books, 2018
Certifications
- MFA in Writing for Children
Work experience
Self-employed
May, 2018 —
Present
I offer a variety of editing and writing services, such as developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading, as well as illustration reviews (especially for picture books and graphic novels).
Center for Responsive Schools
Oct, 2018 —
Present
Manage the production of books and other materials by overseeing and ensuring that Avenue A Books products are completed by authors, illustrators, designers, copyeditors, and proofreaders as necessary and coordinating schedules with authors, illustrators, designers, copyeditors, and proofreaders
· Complete development edits of book manuscripts, lesson cards, and other ancillary digital and print materials to ensure proper structure and content primarily for Avenue A Books and Fly Five imprints
· Review thumbnail sketches, ink sketches, and final color artwork for consistency, style, and content for Avenue A Books K–8 graphic novels
· Copyedit and proofread book manuscripts, digital and print materials for workshops, lesson cards, and other ancillary digital and print materials to ensure proper grammar and language usage, social-emotional learning (SEL) terminology usage, and formatting for Avenue A Books, Fly Five, Responsive Classroom, and Center for Responsive Schools imprints
· Review portfolios of potential writers and illustrators for Avenue A Books
· Fact check as necessary
· Promoted from Editor/Writer to Project Editor in November 2019
Pioneer Valley Books
Jun, 2016 —
Sep, 2018
(over 2 years)
· Managed the production of book sets and other materials, such as lesson cards, online resources, or promotional materials, by overseeing and ensuring that products are completed by Editorial and graphic designers as necessary and coordinating schedules with both teams for efficient production
· Edited educational literacy materials and book manuscripts developmentally to ensure proper structure and content
· Copyedited and proofread various print (books, lesson cards, promotional signs, marketing postcards, etc.) and electronic (online resources, website materials, email newsletters) materials for proper grammar and language usage, proper literacy phrasing, and to ensure correct formatting as determined by designers and development team
· Fact checked nonfiction manuscripts and details of historical fiction manuscripts
· Managed freelance copy editors, proofreaders, and project editors
· Wrote manuscripts for book sets
· Promoted from Associate Project Editor to Project Editor in January 2018
Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson
May, 2014 —
Jun, 2016
(about 2 years)
· Copyedited and proofread electronic and paper-based teacher certification test items to assure quality of spelling, grammar, Chicago style, Pearson writing style, and comprehensibility
· Reviewed formatting of test questions to be officially implemented into testing database (CERTS) and to be reviewed at committee conferences
· Reviewed grammar, style, comprehensibility, and formatting of framework documents that outline objectives for specific teacher certification tests
· Communicated with test question writers to ensure fidelity of test question when copyediting
· Communicated with word processors to ensure fidelity as test questions were migrated from question-writing software to CERTS, paper-based tests, and computer-based tests
· Ensured proper quality of computer-based teacher certification tests
· In computer-based tests, ensured that all technology functioned properly and all functions were present
· Ensured fidelity that all questions for tests were present and appeared as necessary when paper-based tests were
converted to computer-based tests
Portfolio
The summer before high school is supposed to be a time to reinvent yourself, but fourteen-year-old Alexis isn't sure who she wants to be. It doesn't help that she hasn't mustered up the courage to talk to Hayley, that cute junior lifeguard at the local pool, o... read more
The true life stories of six little-known fierce ancient warrior queens are told with humor and vivid detail by an award-winning writer.For young readers seeking to be inspired by stories of strong women, this riveting book shines a light on six powerful ancie... read more
Second-grader Rosa wants to read her favorite book during read aloud at school, but she feels too shy. Her teacher encourages her to practice reading aloud to build up courage. Throughout the week, Rosa practices reading aloud to various animals in her backyar... read more
When Owl moves to a new neighborhood, he can't wait to make friends. But when he invites the other forest animals to his treewarming party, they misinterpret his intentions. With the help of Skunk, who knows how much first impressions can stink, Owl and his ne... read more
An octopus follows Charlie home from the aquarium. And that's where everything goes wrong. When Charlie fails to convince his parents that a mischievous octopus is the culprit of the chaos, he takes matters into his own hands, devising a plan to get rid of the... read more
