Janet Tilden – Editor

My editorial career started in high school and continued through college and beyond. I love working with people who can benefit from my editorial skills, and I have no intention of retiring unless my health fails. (My mother is vigorous and alert at age 95, which gives me hope that I will be around for a few more decades.)

I began earning money as an editor at Nelson-Hall Book Publishers in Chicago in July 1980. Three and a half years later I left Nelson-Hall to edit college math textbooks for Scott Foresman / Harper Collins. After working with freelance editors and proofreaders as a project editing manager for Scott Foresman / Harper Collins, I decided to become a freelancer myself. In 1992 I transitioned to part-time freelance editing combined with a part-time job at an organization associated with Nelson-Hall. In 1994 my husband and I moved from Illinois to Nebraska with our six-year-old son to be closer to my parents. Freelancing allowed me to continue working without interruption after we moved. I took the plunge into full-time self-employment in September 2004.

Here is a brief description of what it's like to work with me:
After you invite me to bid on your project, I will send you a brief sample edit at no charge. I'll supply the sample edit to you in two versions: (a) tracked (showing all of my changes) and (b) clean (changes accepted). The sample edit will give you an opportunity to review my editing style, and it will also enable me to figure out how much time it will take me to edit your entire manuscript. My total fee for editing your manuscript will be based on the estimated time required. If my estimated fee is acceptable to you, I will accept the project.

My clients include textbook and magazine publishers, executives from a wide range of industries and nonprofits, and more. I hope to have an opportunity to work with you.

Testimonials:

"Janet has been terrific to work with. I've worked with her on several lengthy textbooks and she is very thorough and competent. Especially important for me, Janet works quickly. I highly recommend her editorial services."
- John Santrock, textbook author

"I am very grateful for Janet and her services. She has been there for me for several years now, and I enjoy her promptness and the care she puts into her work. She is a true professional who sincerely wants her clients to be successful."
- Van Deeb, motivational speaker

"I so appreciate your meticulous fine-tuning of my huge text manuscript. You are one of those gifted editors that know to respect an author's voice, while spotting little gremlins, offering constructive suggestions, and then enabling the delivery of an on-time product."
- David Myers, author of Social Psychology, 10th Edition (McGraw-Hill)