Overview
For over thirty years, I have worked as a copy editor, proofreader, or developmental editor of books, articles, and company literature for clients including Pearson, McGraw Hill, Hoover Institution, John Wiley and Sons, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Columbia University Press, Central Recovery Press, World Service Office of NA, Scholastic, University of California Press, and others. Before retiring, I was also a staff proofreader and copy editor at Aptara, Inc., an editorial services vendor. Though most of my editorial work has been in educational and personal-development texts, fiction and memoir are also comfortably within my wheelhouse. My own educational background is mainly in stage and screen writing, so I have extensive knowledge of story structure, character development, and the language of storytelling.As a work partner, I am prompt, reliable, and (dare I say) honest, but always respectful of authors' intentions and sensibilities. I am also a produced screenwriter and published playwright, novelist, and anthology editor/compiler, so I can relate to your journey!
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Children’s Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Middle Grade
Plays & Screenplays
Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
- B.A., Washington University, St. Louis, MO (English)
- M.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Speech and Theater)
- Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin (Stage and Screen Writing)
Work experience
Self-employed
Jun, 2016 —
Present
Since retiring from Aptara, I have been providing developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading services for numerous projects of varying types and lengths. I also write alternative text for the vision impaired.
Aptara, Inc.
Aug, 1999 —
Mar, 2016
(over 16 years)
I copyedited and/or proofread typeset pages or manuscripts of college, high school, and elementary textbooks covering a wide variety of subjects; checked page layout against detailed design specifications; worked with designers to ensure thoroughness and accuracy of specification packages; provided guidance in design and typography issues for desktop operators and art specialists; wrote alt text for figures in numerous college, high school, and elementary texts in many disciplines; took a central role in training of QC staff in overseas office; and worked closely with project managers in a deadline-driven environment to ensure product quality.
Self-employed
Mar, 1994 —
Aug, 1999
(over 5 years)
Freelance writer/film director and book editor. I wrote five independent feature films and directed two; wrote a middle-grade novel (2015); wrote a stage play that is published and performed widely; copyedited or proofread numerous books on a variety of subjects for multiple publishers; and compiled and edited two book anthologies.
Portfolio
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
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