Diana Plattner

Diana Plattner – Editor

A full-service editor, writer, and indexer, with 15+ years’ experience in fictional works, memoirs, reference books, and corporate content.

Overview

I'm a writer and editor with a background in scholarly, trade, and mass-market publishing. I began my formal editorial career at a book-compositing firm in Athens, Georgia, called Graphic Composition, Inc. (GCI), learning old-school, red-pencil copyediting from a University of Chicago Press editor. I was entrusted with texts by individuals at the tops of their respective fields, including former U.S. comptroller general Cornelius E. Tierney in federal accounting, Nouriel Roubini in economics, Noam Chomsky in social activism, and others. (I also learned how to be a wicked indexer.) The books I wrangled came from a wide range of publishers that included the National Bureau of Economic Research, Oxford University Press, John Wiley and Sons, and many more.After four years, I moved to Atlanta, where I continued to freelance for GCI and added Kensington Publishing, among others, to my client load. I then went on to spend nine years with Whitman Publishing, where I edited and project-managed scores of titles, including one of the biggest nonfiction sellers in U.S. publishing history. I was made the editorial director after three years, supervising an excellent editorial pool while also beginning to hone my design and production skills.In 2014, in a fit of unprecedented bravado, I quit my day job and hung out my shingle as a full-service book packager. I now operate a thriving operation with a wide array of satisfied clients, including commercial publishers, independent fiction and nonfiction authors, corporations, and nonprofits.
Services
Non-Fiction
Antiques & Collectibles Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Economics Education & Reference History Psychology
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-Employed

Jan, 2014 — Present
I currently operate a comprehensive editorial and book-packaging company that meets the needs of commercial publishers, independent authors, and nonprofits. Services include editing (all levels), book design and layout, epub creation, and consulting.

Whitman Publishing, LLC

Feb, 2008 — Feb, 2014 (about 6 years)
In addition to handling scores of other titles, I served nine years as the production editor of "A Guide Book of United States Coins" (more than 23 million copies sold to date). As a manager, I oversaw a staff of two to four editors; coordinated editorial, design, and production schedules; hired freelancers; and negotiated image fees and other expenses.

Whitman Publishing

Feb, 2005 — Feb, 2008 (about 3 years)
As senior editor I was responsible for developmental and substantive editing; copyediting; fact-checking; photo editing; and vetting content and presentation for effectiveness and suitability to the audience and platform. I also advised and wrote for department heads with regard to their Web sites, press releases, email blasts, blog posts, and other publications; and wrote essays, marketing copy, book-jacket copy, Web copy, and instructional copy for numismatic and general-interest audiences.

Graphic Composition, Inc.

Jun, 1999 — Jun, 2003 (about 4 years)
As senior copyeditor, I handled texts by individuals at the tops of their respective fields, including former U.S. comptroller general Cornelius E. Tierney in federal accounting, Nouriel Roubini in economics, Noam Chomsky in social activism, and others; and provided services on titles for a wide range of publishers, including the National Bureau of Economic Research, "Accounting Review" and "Terry Magazine" (University of Georgia), University of Chicago Press, Oxford University Press, John Wiley and Sons, and the American Philosophical Society.

Portfolio

As the globalization of financial markets continues, we urgently need to understand the crises that have plagued these markets and the policies best suited to preventing such crises in the future. In this book, a prominent group of economists and policymakers ... read more
For the first time in decades, federal accounting practices have been altered by significant changes imposed by Congress and regulatory agencies, as well as by the establishment in 1990 of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASB). These changes a... read more
This groundbreaking book illustrates how the internet and other electronic resources are currently affecting social work practice. The authors show how technology affects social work practice directly through new methods and indirectly by affecting the communi... read more
This book is based on a true story. It is a highly-rated novel that marked the introduction to the literary world of its independent author, Betty Viamontes, and continues to expand its international reach. Rio and Laura, two people from opposite backgrounds, ... read more
If you won’t fight for your dreams, who will? A songwriter who’s lost her voice. . . An orphan who refuses to speak. . . A boatbuilder trying to rebuild a life. . . Songwriter Callie James is living the dream. Her band is about to break into the big time. Her ... read more
A girl can get into a lot of trouble while she’s waiting for Prince Charming to show up. Couples counselor Tessa James can fix any relationship—as long as she’s not in it. Despite her lackluster track record when it comes to love, she’s still hoping for happil... read more
Written with special attention to the challenges facing the IT business analyst, The Agile Business Analyst is a fresh, comprehensive introduction to the concepts and practices of Agile software development. It is also an invaluable reference for anyone in the... read more
Can the ghost of a tragic beauty teach a spirited Victorian belle how to live—and love? Find out in this spooky, sweet story from the author of the Daphne du Maurier Award–winning With This Curse!In this delightful short story of about 60 pages, when debutante... read more
Get swept away in the magic and romance of the Ash Grove Chronicles! Set in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, this young adult paranormal romance set includes the first three novels in the Ash Grove series: The Shadow and the Rose, Casting S... read more
“DeWees hits all the right notes for romantic suspense fans”—Publishers WeeklyCan a curse strike twice? In 1854, Clara Crofton was dismissed from her chambermaid position at Gravesend Hall for falling in love with the younger son of the house. When he died soo... read more
The sequel to the highly acclaimed Gothic romance WITH THIS CURSE, winner of the 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award for historical mystery/suspense! She went in search of her past… and found danger in the present. Former seamstress Clara Blackwood seems to have foun... read more
New Victorian romantic suspense from the author of the acclaimed Sea of Secrets. Widowed on her wedding night! Sybil Ingram is at a crossroads. Once she was the toast of the London stage, but now that she's 28 years old--very well, nearly 30--her draw isn't wh... read more
Since the 1700's, Americans have used tokens and medals to encourage business, lampoon politicians, celebrate special events, pay fares, promote social causes, award the deserving, and scold the wicked. In the Guide Book of United States Tokens and Medals, awa... read more
This hardcover book is a comprehensive insider's look at not only rare coins, but also tokens, medals, and paper money. At 34 chapters and nearly 700 pages, it covers everything from grading to determining values to techniques of smart auction bidding. More th... read more
Build your own collection of ancient Greek coins with an expert's valuable advice. Join award-winning author Paul Rynearson as he applies engaging lessons to collecting 25 different types of ancient Greek coins. You'll explore Athenian owls, money of the Bible... read more
Book by
Building on the scope of Robert Friedberg's groundbreaking research, A Guide Book of United States Paper Money, Fourth Edition includes an engaging history of the paper currency of the United States. Every federal note-from the ultra rare Demand Notes of 1861 ... read more
Volume II of the Whitman Encyclopedia of Mexican Money is an illustrated history and price guide covering in depth the modern coins of Mexico. Included are issues of the coinage reform of 1905 1992; the coinage reform of 1992 to date; commemoratives; Mint and ... read more
Whitman Encyclopedia of Mexican Money, Volume 1 is an overview and history of Mexican coinage and currency. The first volume in this four-volume encyclopedia is a richly illustrated introduction to Mexican numismatics, from pre-Columbian money to the colonial ... read more
From the best-selling author of World War II: Saving the Reality comes a new book that gathers 50 of the most important and iconic documents of the biggest war in human history. Kenneth W. Rendell tells the dramatic stories of these history-drenched documents,... read more
Michael Jackson is the greatest musical superstar the world has ever known. He is, and always will be, the King of Pop. His untimely death on June 25, 2009, cannot dim our memory of the Gloved One, the man whose breathtaking musical talent changed the airways ... read more
The 2010 earthquake was a devastating tragedy, almost beyond imagination. But it also brought global compassion and hope. Voices from Haiti takes you from the terrifying afternoon of the initial tremor, through the dramatic outpouring of help from all over the... read more

Diana has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Brian V.

Brian V.

Jul, 2017

I enjoyed working with Diana. She communicated well throughout the project, and made an excellent index for my book. I would definitely get her on board again for future projects.
Brian V.

Brian V.

Jul, 2017

Diana did an excellent job proofing my manuscript. There was good communication and flexibility throughout the process. I would (and have already) hire Diana again.

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