Overview
On my website, there’s a photo of four-year-old me with Farrah Fawcett bangs. I’m dressed in yellow footie pajamas and am seated in front of a baby blue typewriter. Looking back, it’s obvious that I was destined for a career as a writer and editor.
Fast-forward 40+ years. After more than 16 years working at various publishing companies, I left a senior editor position to go solo. These days, I’m much happier choosing projects that allow me to specialize in the genres I most enjoy: biographies, memoirs, historical fiction and nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, crime fiction, and true crime.
But I didn't start out with my dream job as a book editor. I had to cut my teeth as an editorial assistant and make my way up the ranks. Even before that, I worked at various jobs, including the college newspaper. Those jobs, along with my eclectic interests in history, sports, psychology, pop culture, music, and genealogy—just to name a few—have made me a better editor and shaped who I am today, personally and professionally.
I understand your concern that an editor might take away your voice and alter your manuscript until it’s completely unrecognizable to you. But that’s not my goal. I believe that the author/editor relationship is a collaborative one. I understand the hours you’ve spent writing your manuscript. I get that it’s your "baby" and an expression of your creative soul. My only goal is to improve the work you’ve already done. I can look at the text objectively, just like your readers will. And based on my 21+ years of experience, I can offer advice on how to fill in the “holes,” make the text flow better, enhance the word choice, and provide suggestions to improve clarity and readability.
No matter what type of editing you need from me, you can be assured that I will bring my A game to the table. I have edited nearly 300 books in my career and am proficient in the Chicago Manual of Style. I can promise you that I’ll give your manuscript the same attention to detail and high standards of quality that I give to each project I work on. We’re on the same team, and our goal is to make your book the very best it can be.
In 2019, I was named one of the top 17 book editors in Chicago. Check out my reviews and see what some satisfied clients have said about my work:
“Jen is an exceedingly hard worker, extremely professional, and nothing short of an editing genius.”
—Claire Josephine
“I was so impressed with Jen's work. Her edits were thorough, clear, and brilliant. She edited my full manuscript at a reasonable price and went above and beyond. I would highly recommend her to any writer, even those shaking in their boots like I once was!”
—Lisa Rimmert
"Jennifer did a phenomenal job assisting with character development, and her editing skills were exceptional. She finished her work quickly, and I could not have been more pleased with the final product.”
—James Pauley, Jr.
Services
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Self-employed
I specialize in developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading for fiction and nonfiction books for both adults and children. My preferred genres are (in no particular order): historical fiction, crime fiction, realistic fiction, biographies, memoirs, historical nonfiction, creative or narrative nonfiction (i.e., nonfiction that reads like fiction), and true crime.
Although I identify more as an editor than a writer, I have had the opportunity to write a handful of books during my career, including U2: Changing the World Through Rock ’n’ Roll; Latino Legends of Baseball; Kids Ask Who?; Kids Ask Why?; and selected stories from For the Love of the Chicago Cubs.
Capstone Publishers
* Oversaw all editorial aspects for 10–30 fiction and nonfiction products per year for the K–8 library and classroom markets on topics such as history, math, social studies, current events, and pop culture
* Researched topics and hired quality authors, content consultants, and other experts to publish accurate, attractive, age-appropriate materials
* Led creative teams to make sure projects stayed on track and within budget
* Collaborated with designers and photo researchers on the layout and design of books
* Developmentally edited manuscripts to enhance readability, flow, structure, and organization
* Copy edited text to polish the words on the page and improve word choice, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and style inconsistencies
* Proofread final page proofs for colleagues’ books
* Wrote captions, back cover copy, and sales, marketing, and metadata copy
* Created indexes and style sheets
* Fact-checked data as needed
* Americanized foreign text
* Drafted additional text and rewrites as necessary
* Mentored junior editors, supervised their work, performed approval reads/peer reviews
* Worked closely with colleagues in the UK to produce quality materials for the U.S. and UK markets
* Collaborated with the Smithsonian Institute on several books, as well as outside packagers/developers
McGraw-Hill
* Edited and proofread English and math textbooks and supplementary materials, ensuring compliance with state curriculum standards
Publications International, Ltd.
* Managed nonfiction texts from conception to completion while routinely meeting tight deadlines
* Developmentally edited and copy edited manuscripts
* Fact-checked content as needed
* Wrote captions, back cover copy, and catalog copy
* Rewrote manuscripts as needed
* Created indexes
* Performed final proofreads for books edited by colleagues
Quarasan
* Edited and proofread K–12 textbooks and supplementary materials, ensuring accuracy and
grade-level appropriateness
* Correlated products to state curriculum standards
Heinemann-Raintree
* Collaborated with authors and experts to publish educational materials for children (PreK–Grade 8)
* Developmentally edited, copy edited, and proofread material
* Wrote captions and back cover copy
* Rewrote manuscripts as needed
Portfolio
Jennifer has 15 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Tom H.
Jul, 2023
Gary N.
Dec, 2022
Charles Z.
Jan, 2022
Rosalie T.
Jul, 2021
Michael B.
May, 2021
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