Overview
As an Editor, I view the relationship with an author as a transaction—one based on negotiation and trust. What I bring to a composition is an objective eye. And my cardinal rule is never to violate a writer’s style or content. But rather to help shape it by providing guidance—to refine direction, identify inconsistent tone, an unclear audience, or a stilted writing style, and offer suggestions to resolve these issues. My goal is to help you develop the best possible composition that identifies who you are as a writer, while bringing clarity to your message.
My experience is unique in that I have had dual careers. I’ve spent over twenty years as an IT professional. I’m also a Project and Development Editor for information technology titles in print and new media (Web) for publishers such as Wiley, IDG Books, Macmillan, and Pearson Education. I've recently branched out to include business, trade, and general nonfiction titles, including one bestseller.
I'm skilled in building rewarding relationships with authors, other editors, and executive-level stakeholders in the commercial and public sectors. I bring high-level expertise in editing, writing, publishing, marketing communications, and public relations. This includes:
§ Maintaining high standards for developing manuscripts and digital content to ensure they meet or exceed market needs.
§ Reporting regularly on development status, quality, and competitiveness of each project to authors and executive editors.
§ Overseeing all aspects of production and organization; coordinating design, vision and direction of the product, and the quality of the final work.
§ High proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and SEO tools and methodologies, and expert knowledge of style guides, such as Associated Press (AP), Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), and Modern Language Association (MLA).
In all respects, I’m a high-energy, self-motivated, detail-oriented professional with outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills offering award-winning achievements in publishing.
From Authors and Associates
“I'd also like to thank Gus of Macmillan. As the development editor for
the book, it was Gus's job to take our ramblings and mold it into a complete
book. This is the second book I've worked on with Gus and I enjoyed every minute of it.... Gus really knows how to take raw author material and turn it into an end product to be proud of.”
—Kent Reisdorph, Author, Borland C++Builder 4 Unleashed
“I would like to thank Gus of Macmillan Computer Publishing for being
one of the best development editors I’ve ever worked with.”
—Ellie Peters, Technical Editor, Borland C++Builder 4 Unleashed
“…thanks to Gus, our development editor, who not only set straight
many crooked constructions but taught me much in the process. I envy his future students.”
—Bill McCarty, Lead Author, Java Distributed Objects
"I would also like to thank Gus, my dedicated developmental editor, for his hard work and commitment to ensuring the quality and clarity of this book. Your expertise and attention to detail have greatly enhanced the final product."
—Dr. Belyner Walia, Author, Fix Me: Safely Become Your Own Therapist and Manage Anxiety
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Awards
- International Achievement and Distinguished Technical Communication Society for Technical Communication (STC)
- Exemplary Systems in Government Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
- Excellence in Service Award Tybrin/Jacobs Corp.
- National Defense and Meritorious Service U.S. Naval Reserve
Work experience
Self-employed
Manage and track all manuscript parts, perform development editing for Pro Tech, Dummies, Business Line and other Wiley trade titles. Review manuscripts for structure, content, and style. Ensure that all publication and production deadlines are met. Work closely with Managing and Acquisitions Editors on new or revised edition titles.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
Dual careers in IT and Development/Project editing and technical writing. Highly accomplished Database Analyst experienced in all aspects of database administration, operations management, and support. Exceptionally creative, analytic problem-solver; demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
Developed and authored hundreds of policy and procedural IT documents. Compiled security audits and evidential documents per Federal Joint Signature Memorandum (JSM) and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Work with authors, other editors, and executives to define and improve the structure and content of manuscripts and media (Web) content. Provide guidance to refine definite direction for overall content. Identify inconsistent tone, an unclear audience, or a stilted writing style, and provide suggestions to resolve these issues. Review all content, chapter by chapter, until the book (or media) is ready for publication. Manage all manuscript parts through all editorial processes (technical editing, copyediting, and final production) meet all deadlines for publication dates.
Hungry Minds (formerly IDG Books, Inc.)
Coordinate editorial processes for publishing from conceptual design through final production. Direct authoring, technical, and copyediting processes. Maintain publishing schedules; review and develop manuscripts for organization and content. Establish excellent working relationships with authors and executives throughout the U. S. and overseas. Work closely with fellow editors, media development specialists, and production teams to market titles for In Plain English, Bible, and Secrets series of professional computer books.
Pearson Education (formerly Macmillan Publishing)
Manage content development from initial proposal through production. Research IT publishing trends. Work closely with acquisitions editors to forecast potential sales and provide comparative analyses of competing titles. Work with award-winning authors and publishing executives. Track flow of manuscript parts to meet publication deadlines for computer language, database, and Web development titles for bestselling Sam’s Teach Your-self, Developer’s Guide, and Unleashed series.