Overview

I'm a freelance editor, proofreader, writing coach, and sounding board. For more than a decade, I've helped writers develop their ideas, sort out language mechanics, and make sure words don't get in the way of the message.

As a longtime editor of consumer titles in the For Dummies series of books, I've coached editors and authors alike in principles of good nonfiction writing: Know your purpose and your audience. Simplify the language. Present information in ways that are useful for the reader. Write with warmth. Know the "rules" of grammar and when to break them.

I'm a lifelong learner interested in hearing what people have to say, whether it's a good story, new theories in cognitive psychology, examples of regional dialect, or cooking techniques. I bring sincere curiosity to each of my projects, and I look forward to not only discovering something new but helping readers learn as well.

Services

Languages

Non-Fiction

Fiction

In addition to copy editing and content editing manuscripts, I developed guidelines for new book series and products, updated the house style guide, provided training and acted as a writing resource for authors and other editors, created and formatted equations, reviewed digital media such as apps and online test banks, and helped process reprint corrections.

I received five company awards for helping develop new products, managing projects, and training editors in better ways to teach math.

I edited For Dummies manuscripts for content, style, grammar, organization, tone, and flow; coached authors on how to improve their writing; used sidebars, tables, and subheadings to improve the presentation of the text; and evaluated the effectiveness of art.

I solicited short stories and poetry entries, led critique discussions, offered writers individual feedback, and selected and edited works for publication in the magazine.

For the release of the Spring 2005 issue, I represented the magazine at the Stander Symposium's Celebration of the Arts at the Victoria Theatre.

I copy edited and proofread stories using Associated Press and Catholic News Service styles; retrieved and formatted stories and photos from e-mails, press releases, and the newswire; and conducted interviews, wrote feature articles, and took photos.

I planned and led weekly writing tutorials for classes of 15 college freshmen who entered college with low English grades or SAT Verbal scores.

Through a service open to all undergrads, I helped students review and revise the content, clarity, organization, and grammar of their essays.

Writing Fiction For Dummies

Randy Ingermanson, Peter Economy

A complete guide to writing and selling your novel So you want to write a novel? Great! That’s a worthy goal, no matter what your reason. But don’t settle for just writing a novel. Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher. Writing Fiction for Dummies is a complete guide designed to coach you every step along the path from beginning writer to royalty-earning author. Here a... read more

A complete guide to writing and selling your novel So you want to write a novel? Great! That’s a worthy goal, no matter what your reason. But don’t settle for just writing a novel. Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher. Writing Fiction for Dummies is a complete guide designed to coach you every step along the path from beginning writer to royalty-earning author. Here a... read more

Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies

Deborah Halverson

Your hands-on, friendly guide to writing young adult fiction With young adult book sales rising, and bestselling authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer exploding onto the scene, aspiring YA writers are more numerous than ever. Are you interested in writing a young adult novel, but aren't sure how to fit the style that appeals to young readers? Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies giv... read more

Your hands-on, friendly guide to writing young adult fiction With young adult book sales rising, and bestselling authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer exploding onto the scene, aspiring YA writers are more numerous than ever. Are you interested in writing a young adult novel, but aren't sure how to fit the style that appeals to young readers? Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies giv... read more

WineSense The Three Keys To Understanding Wine

Bob Desautels

Wine is a muse for poets and ordinary folks alike, a great seducer and lifelong friend to many. It's integral to some of the finest cultures on earth. But as simple and lovely as wine may be, the wine world can be intimidating. Many so-called experts perpetuate an elitist approach to wine, with their explanations so jargon-filled that the wine gets lost in the analysis. WineSense cuts through ... read more

Wine is a muse for poets and ordinary folks alike, a great seducer and lifelong friend to many. It's integral to some of the finest cultures on earth. But as simple and lovely as wine may be, the wine world can be intimidating. Many so-called experts perpetuate an elitist approach to wine, with their explanations so jargon-filled that the wine gets lost in the analysis. WineSense cuts through ... read more

Paper Bird: An English Childhood of the Great Depression

Jan Truss

Paper Bird is a collection of childhood memories from award-winning author Jan Truss. Born in 1925 in Stoke-on-Trent, England, by the time Jan was six years old the Great Depression had arrived, forever altering her life. These stories are a vivid glimpse into a changing world, a grand tour of a different era. They are also an invitation to tour the backstage, the psychological theatre of even... read more

Paper Bird is a collection of childhood memories from award-winning author Jan Truss. Born in 1925 in Stoke-on-Trent, England, by the time Jan was six years old the Great Depression had arrived, forever altering her life. These stories are a vivid glimpse into a changing world, a grand tour of a different era. They are also an invitation to tour the backstage, the psychological theatre of even... read more

ASVAB For Dummies

Rod Powers

Get fully briefed on the changes to the ASVAB and sharpen your test-taking skills Want to ace the ASVAB? This essential guide includes in-depth reviews of all nine test subjects with complete explanations for every question, proficiency exercises, and tips to help you pinpoint your weaknesses and hone your test taking skills. You'll discover the pros and cons of the paper and computer exams, w... read more

Get fully briefed on the changes to the ASVAB and sharpen your test-taking skills Want to ace the ASVAB? This essential guide includes in-depth reviews of all nine test subjects with complete explanations for every question, proficiency exercises, and tips to help you pinpoint your weaknesses and hone your test taking skills. You'll discover the pros and cons of the paper and computer exams, w... read more

Wilderness Survival For Dummies

Cameron M. Smith, John F. Haslett

Your one-stop guide to surviving and enjoying the Great Outdoors Want to know how to stay alive in extreme situations? This practical, accurate guide gives you all the expert, field-tested tools and techniques you need to survive. Whether you find yourself lost in the woods, adrift on a life raft, bitten by a snake, or needing shelter in cold weather, this hands-on resource teaches you how to ... read more

Your one-stop guide to surviving and enjoying the Great Outdoors Want to know how to stay alive in extreme situations? This practical, accurate guide gives you all the expert, field-tested tools and techniques you need to survive. Whether you find yourself lost in the woods, adrift on a life raft, bitten by a snake, or needing shelter in cold weather, this hands-on resource teaches you how to ... read more

Contract Law For Dummies

Scott J. Burnham

Take the mumbo jumbo out of contract law and ace your contracts course Contract law deals with the promises and agreements that law will enforce. Understanding contract law is vital for all aspiring lawyers and paralegals, and contracts courses are foundational courses within all law schools. Contract Law For Dummies tracks to a typical contracts course and assists you in understanding the fou... read more

Take the mumbo jumbo out of contract law and ace your contracts course Contract law deals with the promises and agreements that law will enforce. Understanding contract law is vital for all aspiring lawyers and paralegals, and contracts courses are foundational courses within all law schools. Contract Law For Dummies tracks to a typical contracts course and assists you in understanding the fou... read more

Pre-Calculus: 1,001 Practice Problems For Dummies (+ Free Online Practice)

Mary Jane Sterling

Prepare for calculus the smart way, with customizable pre-calculus practice 1,001 Pre-Calculus Practice Problems For Dummies offers 1,001 opportunities to gain confidence in your math skills. Much more than a workbook, this study aid provides pre-calculus problems ranked from easy to advanced, with detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions for each one. The companion website gives you f... read more

Prepare for calculus the smart way, with customizable pre-calculus practice 1,001 Pre-Calculus Practice Problems For Dummies offers 1,001 opportunities to gain confidence in your math skills. Much more than a workbook, this study aid provides pre-calculus problems ranked from easy to advanced, with detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions for each one. The companion website gives you f... read more

Organic Chemistry I Workbook For Dummies

Arthur Winter

From models to molecules to mass spectrometry-solve organic chemistry problems with ease Got a grasp on the organic chemistry terms and concepts you need to know, but get lost halfway through a problem or worse yet, not know where to begin? Have no fear - this hands-on guide helps you solve the many types of organic chemistry problems you encounter in a focused, step-by-step manner. With memor... read more

From models to molecules to mass spectrometry-solve organic chemistry problems with ease Got a grasp on the organic chemistry terms and concepts you need to know, but get lost halfway through a problem or worse yet, not know where to begin? Have no fear - this hands-on guide helps you solve the many types of organic chemistry problems you encounter in a focused, step-by-step manner. With memor... read more

Talk Matters!: Saving the World One Word at a Time; Solving Complex Issues Through Brain Science, Mindful Awareness and Effective Process

Mary V. Gelinas

We create the present and future in our meetings and conversations every day. What can we do to increase the likelihood that we’re creating a future that we all want? We can start by talking more constructively and productively about what matters to us all. After decades of advising groups in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, process design and facilitation expert Mary V. Gelinas has... read more

We create the present and future in our meetings and conversations every day. What can we do to increase the likelihood that we’re creating a future that we all want? We can start by talking more constructively and productively about what matters to us all. After decades of advising groups in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, process design and facilitation expert Mary V. Gelinas has... read more