Cherrita Lee, Editor in Meridian, ID 83646, USA

Overview

As an accomplished and detail-driven editor with extensive experience producing compelling, flawless content for a variety of print and digital publications and communication vehicles while collaborating and ensuring adherence to production schedules and style guidelines, and I feel confident that I could vastly exceed your expectations.

I am an avid reader who enjoys reading books and articles from all genera. I have many favorite books and my favorite book list is likely to vary based on what I just finished, what I'm hoping to read next, what sort of mood I'm in; many books have changed my outlook in some way. In addition to reading, many of my favorite hobbies are indoors and I consider myself an avid indoors-woman.

My perseverance and strength makes me an excellent editor. As an Black woman, I've experienced and overcome adversity in both my personal and academic life. For example, I was accepted into the College of Idaho without a high-school diploma or GED, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I become one of only two from my family to have graduated college. It is these resilient qualities, strength and perseverance, that make me an excellent editor. As an accomplished and resilient editor combined with my 13 years’ experience in editing creative and compelling full-length books, manuscripts, essays, and articles on a variety of subjects—prepares me to substantially impact your project and I feel confident that I could vastly exceed your expectations for any level of editing desired.

I provide a unique viewpoint, being a Black woman, neurodiverse, and LGTBQ+. From sensitivity/expert reads to proofreading, I am experienced in all levels of editing. Furthermore, I studied broadly in college and remain knowledgeable in many subject areas, from the sciences (especially Biology and Chemistry) to social sciences to humanities (History especially), including 4 years of Latin. It is always my goal in editing to make the process as collaborative as possible. I believe in preserving an author's natural voice and style, and prefer to offer alternatives and options so that an author can craft their revisions in a way that maintains their voice. I have maintained excellent relationships with all the authors I've worked with, and I'm always happy to provide references.

Services

Developmental Editing

Copy Editing

Editorial Assessment

Proofreading

Query Letter Review

Fiction

Children's Cultural & Ethnic Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Science Fiction Young Adult

Languages

English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Freelance Editor

Self-employed

Apr, 2020 — Present

Senior Editor

Amberjack Publishing

Oct, 2014 — Apr, 2020 (over 5 years)

Oversee and direct the review, editing, and evaluation of multiple book/manuscript submissions including reviewing book concepts, plot overviews, full-length manuscripts, and suitability for publishing; Provide feedback and revisions to authors/writers/ghostwriters. Manage the general marketplace and relevant market segments to identify ideal publishing solutions across multiple clients and authors. Manage the selection and review of multiple book and manuscript submissions that successfully received Kirkus Starred and Foreword reviews, resulting in being featured in multiple industry publications and Publisher’s Weekly. Lead publishing strategy and project management operations including editing, editorial schedules, contract negotiation, and market trend analysis; assign manuscripts and guiding authors throughout the editing processes, achieving improved compliance with company standards and style guidelines. Develop and edit both mini (10-15 pages) and full-length (over 100 pages) book proposals, resulting in cultivating new authors and identify bestseller potential and achieved translation across multiple languages. Spearhead the editing and collaborative design of illustrations for a book that was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Middle Grade Books of 2017. Design and launch new and improved editing guidelines for staff and contractors, that optimized consistency in editing process across the entire organization. Contribute to the firm’s service offerings and strategic growth strategy by editing and laying-out books that successfully reached the #1 Bestseller status on Amazon in their categories. Wrote an extensive review and recommendation for the publication of a book, resulting in the book being included in Barnes and Noble's 10 Most Anticipated Indie YA Books of 2018. Manage multiple book and manuscript submissions, resulting in being featured on Book Bub. Establish and cultivate working relationships with multiple authors, agents, publishers, industry professionals. Supervise and coach a team of designers in the creation of publication artwork, illustrations, and authoring summaries Leverage extensive industry knowledge of both publishing processes and market trends to develop and deliver comprehensive staff training and development across all areas of publishing including editing procedures, layout processes, and style guidelines, resulting in building high performing editing/publishing teams.

Editor & Designer

Lee’s Lists

Jun, 2012 — Jun, 2015 (about 3 years)

Managed full cycle editing processes for mid-sized editing firm including planning, coordinating, reviewing, and editing full-manuscript content. Collaborated with diverse authors to resolve inconsistencies, misspelled words and grammatical errors as well as working with design artists, production personnel and marketing departments to produce an attractive publication. Assessed and provided critical review and analysis of multiple book and manuscript proposal submissions that resulted in successfully determining uniqueness, salability, relevant market segment, and level of interest to target audience. Reviewed multiple accepted submissions and applied editorial skills that refined and streamlined publications, by conducting copyediting, fact-checking, verify sources, and terms using standard reference resources. Copyedited, fact-checked, and proofread multiple manuscript submissions that achieved improved compliance with style, grammar, accuracy, and consistency. Project Managed and prioritized multiple submission projects, overseeing review schedules, editing processes, and copy flow that resulted in delivering work in a timely manner and meeting complex simultaneous deadlines. Conducted extensive research across multiple subjects to create a broad range of supplemental materials on ancient Roman recipes and the undead in various cultures. Streamlined publishing content, editing, and review processes that reduced publication delivery times by 20%.

Freelance Editor

Self-employed

May, 2010 — Jun, 2015 (about 5 years)

Edited and reviewed a wide range of manuscripts, short stories, essays, and marketing materials for mid-sized RPG supplement publishing company. Managed full cycle editing operations including managing layout, proofreading, and collaborate with diverse writers to support the development of high-quality content. Provided editorial guidance to authors including layout, content, and resolving grammatical issues that resulted in high-quality publications. Established superior reputation for consistently delivering high quality editing for a broad range of materials for clients, such as essays, business and marketing materials, short stories, and manuscripts. Thoroughly review the language in the manuscripts to ensure that resulted in the authors’ ideas are communicated accurately, clearly, concisely, and objectively. Streamlined and improved content for style, substance, and SEO performance and layout games and supplements for publication. Managed multiple simultaneous editing projects and oversaw project management operations including scheduling, timelines, and delivery.