Ethan Goffman

Ethan Goffman – Editor

I will help shape your manuscript's organization, clarity, and readability while finding ways to make your writing more vivid and relevant.

Overview

I have over twenty years experience editing for the ProQuest Discovery Guide series and for the journal Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy. As a freelancer, I have edited over a dozen books. I specialize in environmental and transit issues but also have extensive experience editing literary studies. Besides editing and being the author of two books, I have hundreds of publications in nationally known magazines such as the Baltimore Sun, the Progressive, Buzzflash, and Grist as well as more specialized publications. I have also published three books of poetry and two of short stories.

Each book I work on is unique and meaningful, and I work hard to tailor my approach. I allow the author an early look at my editing to decide if we want to move forward. My strengths are the ability to suggest different ways of looking at an issue, a keen eye for organizational problems, and the ability to edit out wordiness and awkward phrasing. I always emphasize that editing is an act of collaboration, that a writer should take my comments seriously but there may be multiple approaches to the same problem and the last word is always the author's.

"OMG! I am in awe. Talk about EXCEEDING expectations. I am SUPER excited. Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. . . . WOW! You did it again and with flying colors. Truly appreciate you and your capabilities. . . . You have a gift and thank YOU for sharing it with us." -- Becky Corbett, author, The Bridge to Hope and Healing

Services
Non-Fiction
Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences Humanities & Social Sciences Nature Political Science & Current Affairs Transportation
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • PhD English, Indiana University

Work experience

Greater Greater Washington

Jun, 2017 — Present
I write articles on transit, biking, walking, technology, and other sustainable transportation issues as well as housing.

ProQuest

May, 2008 — Apr, 2016 (almost 8 years)
Edited the work of internationally renowned scholars for an academic journal. Authored weekly blog, for six years, on environment and sustainability issues.

CSA / ProQuest

May, 2005 — Aug, 2011 (over 6 years)
I edited manuscripts, mainly on environmental issues, but also on social sciences, technology, and literature. I did overall editing, copy editing, and proofreading, as well as posting articles on the CSA/ProQuest website. I also wrote 3-4 comprehensive articles a year on environmental issues.

Self

Jan, 2003 — Present
Write articles for journals, magazines, and newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, the Progressive, Grist, E: The Environmental Magazine, Streetsblog, Greater Greater Washington, Buzzflash, and others.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Realities and Alternatives

Goffman, Ethan

Cyberwit.net

Words for Things Left Unsaid

Goffman, Ethan

Kelsay Books

Developmental Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing

Ethan has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

zander P.

zander P.

Jul, 2025

Well done. Put together a comprehensive review of my book, thoughtful suggestions that would help my reader out, allowing me to dive deeper into projecting the story. Done fast and efficiently! 🤙🏼
Brian K B.

Brian K B.

Sep, 2024

Ethan has been terrific to work with. He is pleasant, respectful, principled, and hard working. Often he has exceeded my expectations in getting material back to me for revisions. All of his edits and comments are sensible and valuable. I recommend him without reservation.

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