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

Developmental Editing

Copy Editing

Proofreading

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

Copy Editor/Developmental Editor/Proofreader

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.

Copy Editor/Proofreader/Alt Text Writer

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.

Writer/Copy Editor/Proofreader

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.