Jennifer Watson

Jennifer Watson – Editor

Versatile editor with more than a decade of experience. Focused on making your writing the best it can be! Self-help. Anthologies. Memoir.

Overview

I am a writer of poetry and travel essays set in Lisbon, Portugal. I love to travel and have lived in several countries including New Zealand, Australia, Italy, and Portugal. I have 10+ years developmental editing experience, including six years at FA Davis where my forte was professional development and nursing education. I currently specialize in non-fiction, especially memoir, personal growth, and self-improvement.




Why hire me as your editor?

My job is to help you take your manuscript to the next level. I pride myself on providing polish through an excellent command of English, meticulous attention to detail, and a keen sensitivity to writing voice. My communication style is supportive, professional, and clear. I am a flexible and approachable editor, having worked with many different types of authors: from bestselling academics to first-time authors to non-native speakers of English.


The authors I have worked with, always remark that their book was “whipped into shape” with the process, and they emphasize their appreciation for my keen eye to maintain or create cohesion. I look forward to working with you to do just that. After all, when you began writing this book, you had a reason for doing so. Let’s work together so that your noble impulse can be heard by many!




TESTIMONIALS:


First-time author Derek Tao writes, "For every person who achieves a great accomplishment, there is an entire ecosystem of people who support that person and make the accomplishment possible. I can say with full confidence that I would not be the person or healthcare provider I am today without the help of my support system... A heartfelt thank you to my editor Jennifer. As I navigated the process of writing and preparing my first book ever for publication, your thoughtful recommendations and expertise were invaluable to helping me bring out the best version of this book." (Memoir, Physical Therapy Guide, forthcoming Fall 2024)


Bestselling author Dr. Jean Watson writes, "Thanks for your close attention, talents, and hard work of development to make this happen." (Caring: A Passage to Heart)


Anna Biley, author of Birds Hold Our Secrets writes, "I would like to thank Jennifer for her gentle guidance and encouragement in this writing this book... You offer dreams to live again."


NEW AND EXCITING SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS IN MY PORTFOLIO:


Substack writer Julie Fontes writes, "Jennifer was helpful in helping to create a different organizational strategy for my story and reined me in when I wanted to make sweeping unnecessary changes..." (Like a Normal Person, Oct 2024)


Psy.D. author Dr. Jason Camu writes, "Thanks so much for all the support!" ( A Shiny Reflective Surface: Understanding the Mind of the Narcissist, Oct 2024 )

Services
Fiction
Anthologies Coming of Age Short Story
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Career Guides Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2018 — Present

Co-managed creation of imprint for the Watson Caring Science Institute (Boulder, Colorado). Editorial insight and substantive editing for a fundamental work on conscious dying; a touching memoir written by a nurse from northern England. Brought under-represented voices to print. Academic re-writing, anthologies and creating sequences, non-native speakers of English, author forewords.

Self-employed

Jan, 2019 — Dec, 2019 (11 months)

Substantive editing for a touching memoir that combines nursing education, ministry, and self-improvement.

Self-employed

Jan, 2004 — Feb, 2010 (about 6 years)

Award-winning developmental editor for six years (F.A. Davis Company), specializing in theory, nursing education, and professional development. Worked with authors to develop and publish their textbooks for higher education.

Book of the Year Award (AJN) 2008, Penn: Mastering the Teaching Role
Book of the Year Award (AJN) 2009, Fain: Reading, Understanding, and Applying Nursing Research
Book of the Year Award (AJN) 2009, Joel and Kaakinen: Advanced Practice Nursing: Essentials for Role Development

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
A Shiny Reflective Surface: Understanding The Mind Of The Narcissist

Camu, Psy.D., Jason N.

Dr. Jason N. Camu

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Life of Riley Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Through a Mother's Eyes

DeMille PhD, Dianne

Dianne's Consultant Services

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Mother Blessing: A Baby Shower for the Soul

Heisey, Aspen

Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Hamster Place

Tuttle, John

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Reading, Understanding, and Applying Nursing Research

Fain PhD RN BC-ADM FADCES FAAN, James A.

Developmental Editing
Creative Teaching Strategies for the Nurse Educator

Herrman RN PhD ANEF FAAN, Judith W.

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading

Jennifer has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Derek T.

Derek T.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
Jennifer was very thoughtful in her feedback, and responsive to all of the questions and concerns I had with refining my manuscript. She provided not only suggestions for edits to my manuscript, but also provided additional documents for overall feedback considerations and advice on next steps to take after the editing stage of my book manuscript. I had a great experience working with her overa...
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Sabine S.

Sabine S.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
I can’t thank Jennifer enough for what she did for my book, and subsequently- for my dream towards publishing. What a relief to have someone so professional to help get my memoir in perfect shape. Jennifer never changed my story, but improved it with her insight and her understanding. She always answered any questions I had and was super punctual with every project we worked on. I can’t wait fo...
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marnie O.

marnie O.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
Jennifer turned my 'ho-hum' into something I feel very proud of. Her suggestions showed an insightfulness that others had not considered, without taking over the work and changing the landscape. I would whole-heartedly recommend working with Jennifer for any writing needs
Julie F.

Julie F.

Jul, 2024

Jennifer was professional and responsive in all of our correspondence. She delivered either right on time or early exactly as she said she would. She was helpful in helping create a different organizational strategy for my story and reined me in when I wanted to make sweeping unnecessary changes. There were some suggestions she made that I didn’t take because they didn’t sound like me and I did...
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Dianne D.

Dianne D.

Jun, 2024

Jennifer did a wonderful editorial review of our book. Thank you so much for your expert advice!

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