Jess Berbey - Editor
Writer, editor, and proofreader with experience in the comic industry, particularly DC Comics. Other genres include poetry and fiction.
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Overview
I can write in any facet, and thus, can edit anything that has words. I am passionate about editing, detail-oriented and precise, a total grammar nerd, and I have plentiful experience. More so than that, I genuinely do mean it when I say I love editing and can guarantee that your work will be given the care and attention it deserves.
My most recent experience is in comic book publishing, serving as an assistant editor at the world-renowned DC Comics, where I played an editorial role in the production of titles like Batgirl, The Green Lantern Season Two, Green Lantern: Blackstars, Supergirl, Event Leviathan, and Justice League Odyssey. I also served as assistant editor for titles in the DC Imprint, Black Label, sharing my expertise on titles like Lucifer, Amethyst, Far Sector, The Last God, among many others.
Aside from comics, I have experience in fiction, news, short fiction, poetry, satire, technical writing, and legal writing. I’ve served as editor-in-chief of Re:Search, the literary criticism journal at the University of Illinois, Daytime News Editor at The Daily Illini, and assistant editor at Ninth Letter, a prominent poetry journal.
My most recent experience is in comic book publishing, serving as an assistant editor at the world-renowned DC Comics, where I played an editorial role in the production of titles like Batgirl, The Green Lantern Season Two, Green Lantern: Blackstars, Supergirl, Event Leviathan, and Justice League Odyssey. I also served as assistant editor for titles in the DC Imprint, Black Label, sharing my expertise on titles like Lucifer, Amethyst, Far Sector, The Last God, among many others.
Aside from comics, I have experience in fiction, news, short fiction, poetry, satire, technical writing, and legal writing. I’ve served as editor-in-chief of Re:Search, the literary criticism journal at the University of Illinois, Daytime News Editor at The Daily Illini, and assistant editor at Ninth Letter, a prominent poetry journal.
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Classics
Comics & Graphic Novels
Contemporary Fiction
Humor & Comedy
Poetry
Short Story
Work experience
Assistant editor
DC Comics
September, 2019
–
June, 2020
(9 months)
• Assist editors with the development and production of comics from conception to publication, including placement work, script formatting, giving talent feedback on pitches, art and dialogue, and submitting art to respective departments
• interact and maintain relationship with talent, particularly artists and writers, to ensure deadlines are being met and work submitted is of highest caliber
Editor-in-Chief
Re:Search, the literary criticism journal at the University of Illinois
May, 2018
–
May, 2019
(about 1 year)
• Absorbed Faculty Advisor's role in managing journal staff
• Led major journal processes such as Recruitment, Peer Reviewing, Copy-Editing, Formatting, and MLA workshops
• Devised and maintained a timeline for journal deadlines and events, including presenting at the Research Symposium
• Hired and worked with graphic designer to develop promotional material, cover, and marketing strategies to appeal to prospective authors
• Reviewed journal meticulously prior to its publication to ensure formatting and structural accuracy
Daytime News Editor
The Daily Illini
March, 2017
–
March, 2018
(about 1 year)
• Assigned story ideas, monitored daytime shifts, helped budget weekly ideas, and edited news articles
• Updated the online content of the paper, as well as collaborated with other editors on significant news stories
• Facilitated everyday production of News, staying alert of police blotters, campus events, and breaking news
News Writer
The Daily Illini
September, 2016
–
March, 2017
(6 months)
• Researched story ideas and pitched three weekly proposals with at least three sources per proposal
• Produced factual, concise, and engaging news stories every week within tight deadlines
•Conducted and transcribed source interviews
Formatting Editor
Re:Search, the literary criticism journal at the University of Illinois
May, 2016
–
May, 2018
(about 2 years)
• Produced the final layouts of the journal publication for both Online and Print
• Managed journal microsite in collaboration with University librarian
• Recruited and trained a team of undergraduates for the peer reviewing aspect of the formatting process
• Reviewed and offered commentary and edits on authors’ submissions
Portfolio (12 selected works)
The Green Lantern Season Two (2020-) #1
Morrison, Grant, Sharp, Liam, Sharp, Liam, Sharp, Liam, Oliff, Steve, Olyoptics
Supergirl (2016-) Annual #2
Venditti, Robert, Bogdanovic, Viktor, Glapion, Jonathan, Plascencia, FCO, Braga, Laura, Braga, Laura, Sotomayor, Chris
Leviathan Dawn (2020-) #1
Bendis, Brian Michael, Maleev, Alex, Maleev, Alex, Maleev, Alex, Maleev, Alex
Lucifer (2018-) #18
Watters, Dan, Turrill, Tiffany, Fiumara, Max, Fiumara, Max, McCaig, Dave
The Last God: Tales from the Book of Ages (2020-) #1 (The Last God (2019-))
Johnson, Philip Kennedy, Telfer, Dan, Carpenter, Kai, Fedderici, Riccardo, Blanco, Jared
BATGIRL #48 CVR A GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (JOKER WAR)
Cecil Castellucci
Amethyst (2020-) #5
Reeder, Amy, Reeder, Amy, Reeder, Amy, Reeder, Amy, Reeder, Amy, Louise, Marissa
Far Sector (2019-) #6
Jemisin, N.K., Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal
Justice League Odyssey #18
Dan Abnett
The Green Lantern: Blackstars (2019-) #3
Morrison, Grant, Sharp, Liam, , Xermanico, , Xermanico, Oliff, Steve, Olyoptics
Murder, la fuga & the recompense
Rios Lopez, David
Make it a Double
McNair, Randall, Berbey, Jessica, Smith, Graye
Jess has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I had an amazing experience working with Jess Berbey. Her notes were more than helpful and made me feel like she cared about my project. And other than the great editing of my story, I felt as though her advice and notes shed a light on my strengths and weaknesses that helped me understand and improve myself as a writer. Can't say thank you enough!
Atzel Esquivel, February 2021
It was a pleasure to work with Jess on my first short story series. She always encouraged and pushed me to dig deeper when needed. She brought direct yet potent feedback. She is very supportive and communicative even after our collaboration finished. I truly enjoyed and appreciated working with Jess.
I’m looking forward to collaborating with her again this month, as we already discussed.
K.S. Maverick, January 2021
Jess is fun to work with. Her edits are thoughtful and really, really improve my poems. I feel lucky to have found her, and the quality of my writing has moved up two levels because of her insight.
jan Little, December 2020
Reply from Jess Berbey
Working with Jess was a great experience, she challenged me as a writer, making on point suggestions, and guiding me in the path to become better. Her way to communicate her suggestions for edits was clear, concise and effective, always meeting our set deadlines.
Additionally as a bilingual writer, her ability to understand Spanish and English, and my intension as a writer was impressive. Loo...
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David RiosLopez, November 2020
I hired Jess Berbey to edit the #2 manuscript in my Bar Poems series, “Make it a Double.” Jess was a pleasure to work with and her edits were smart, thorough and apt. My manuscript is stronger as a result of the keen eye and attention to detail that Jess brought to the project. She worked quickly and affordably, delivering her final edits 2 days before her promised completion date.
I highly re...
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Randall McNair, October 2020
Reply from Jess Berbey
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