Nell McPherson - Editor
Jacksonville, FL, United States
From bestselling nonfiction and cookbooks to novels and short story collections, I've helped authors polish their work for over 10 years.
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Overview
Hello. I'm so glad you've stopped by to peruse my profile! Allow me to give you a brief overview of what I can do for you:
Nonfiction Authors
Not only will I dive into the details to ensure correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as consistent formatting and adherence to the style guide of your choice, I'll take in the big picture so I can make recommendations about clarity, linguistic flow, and any inconsistencies or repetition of content.
Novel Authors
My affinity for detail helps me pick up on any big-picture issues, such as inconsistencies or loose ends, as well as the more minute details, such as superfluous descriptions that need tightening up. I can make suggestions for further developing characters, clarifying scenes, bringing settings to life, and balancing description with dialogue. I can also provide feedback on the themes I see emerging in your work. Finally, I can ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are spot on, the obvious exception being characters who aren't supposed to have perfect grammar.
Cookbook Authors
In addition to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, tone and formatting consistency, and adherence to any style guides you're using, I'll ensure the accuracy of your cookbook's ingredient lists, pantry lists, weekly shopping lists, and recipe allergen information and verify the completeness, style, order, and logic of recipe instructions, headnotes, and tips. I can also recommend any areas of your book that might benefit from how-to illustrations.
I hope you'll reach out so we can work together to make sure the project you've worked so hard on is the very best it can be.
Nonfiction Authors
Not only will I dive into the details to ensure correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as consistent formatting and adherence to the style guide of your choice, I'll take in the big picture so I can make recommendations about clarity, linguistic flow, and any inconsistencies or repetition of content.
Novel Authors
My affinity for detail helps me pick up on any big-picture issues, such as inconsistencies or loose ends, as well as the more minute details, such as superfluous descriptions that need tightening up. I can make suggestions for further developing characters, clarifying scenes, bringing settings to life, and balancing description with dialogue. I can also provide feedback on the themes I see emerging in your work. Finally, I can ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are spot on, the obvious exception being characters who aren't supposed to have perfect grammar.
Cookbook Authors
In addition to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, tone and formatting consistency, and adherence to any style guides you're using, I'll ensure the accuracy of your cookbook's ingredient lists, pantry lists, weekly shopping lists, and recipe allergen information and verify the completeness, style, order, and logic of recipe instructions, headnotes, and tips. I can also recommend any areas of your book that might benefit from how-to illustrations.
I hope you'll reach out so we can work together to make sure the project you've worked so hard on is the very best it can be.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Adventure
Children's - Middle Grade
Christian
Fantasy
Inspirational
Literature
Science Fiction
Short Story
Non-Fiction
Business & Management
Cooking & Food Wine & Spirits
Economics
Health & wellbeing
History
Work experience
Freelance Copy Editor
Callisto Media
July, 2014
–
Present
(over 4 years)
Edit cookbooks, general interest titles, and workout books.
Freelance Copy Editor and Proofreader
The American University in Cairo Press
September, 2013
–
Present
(over 5 years)
Edit and proofread the English translations of Arabic novels as well as academic manuscripts.
Freelance Developmental Editor
Amnet Publishing
June, 2011
–
July, 2015
(about 4 years)
Edited novels as well as nonfiction titles.
Freelance Copy Editor
Karen Leland, Sterling Marketing Group
November, 2008
–
Present
(over 10 years)
Edit nonfiction books, newsletters, web copy, marketing materials, and presentations.
Portfolio (15 selected works)
The Magic of Circles: A Math Adventure
Gail Larson
Are you ready to help a young child foster a lifetime love of math? Just introduce him or her to The Magic of Circles! Math teacher and mom Gail Larson has dreamed up the perfect entree to math for children ages two- to five-years old. The Magic of Circles is a lively zoo adventure that shows them how fun figures and shapes can be. This inventive, delightful children’s book is conceived to dev... read more
With 4,000 percent growth in just six months, 17 million users, and a record for more referral traffic than YouTube, Google+, and LinkedIn combined, Pinterest delivers an unbelievable opportunity for marketers . . . if they know how to effectively use it. Karen Leland acquaints business owners with the newest social media kid on the block. She covers: the ins and outs of signing up and getting... read more
Sushi at Home: A Mat-to-Table Sushi Cookbook
Rockridge Press
Eating Sushi is Easy. Making Sushi is Even Easier.Let your love of sushi inspire you to prepare and enjoy it in your home. This beautiful guide and cookbook opens a window to everything that’s so fascinating—and intimidating—about sushi, while laying out easy-to-follow tips and techniques to help sushi lovers become confident sushi chefs.In Japan, sushi is often made by home cooks and served a... read more
Tigress - The Making of an Enemy Agent
Mark Davis
When a critical mission goes horribly wrong, leaving one agent dead and Sara injured, she must rely on an intricate network of operatives and sympathizers to help her get away. Pitched headlong into a treacherous journey that could take her life, Sara manages to escape—only to face the scrutiny of an intensive interrogation and a military tribunal when she gets home. Set in the American Pacifi... read more
Door-to-Door Millionaire: Secrets of Making the Sale contains proven sales methods that work in the harshest sales environments and can benefit readers in any walk of life.With expert techniques that can improve sales and communication skills of everyone from Fortune 500 sales professionals to strip mall shoes salesmen, this guide teaches readers how to recognize vital nonverbal clues, how to ... read more
Paleo in 28: 4 Weeks, 5 Ingredients, 130 Recipes
Kenzie Swanhart
Lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle with Paleo in 28’s all-in-one paleo cookbook and diet plan.When it comes to making changes to your diet, getting started is always the hardest part. That’s why Paleo in 28 offers you more than just a paleo cookbook—it paves a path to the paleo lifestyle in just four weeks. Featuring tasty recipes and weekly guides to help you reach your goals, Paleo i... read more
The Ambitious Crafter’s Guide to a Profitable Etsy ShopMore than a marketplace, Etsy is a community—and being an active, informed member can lead to lucrative results. This book provides actionable steps to help shop owners engage the Etsy community in authentic ways that attract buyers and generate sales. The best Etsy shops stand out among the sea of sellers and draw loyal customer bases, bu... read more
The discovery of ancient Egypt and the development of Egyptology are momentous events in intellectual and cultural history. The history of Egyptology is the story of the people, famous and obscure, who constructed the picture of ancient Egypt that we have today, recovered the Egyptian past while inventing it anew, and made a lost civilization comprehensible to generations of enchanted readers ... read more
Stanlin and Sylvia
Cynthia Hey
A novel for teens and adults who like fantasy/sci-fi with a tinge of horror. Multiple plots are entwined: A deranged killer is destined to spread a lethal pandemic; a child is kidnapped; and Stanlin, a teenage alien from planet Capton, falls for an Earth girl named Sylvia, and tries to save her and Earth from impending doom. See how all of their lives interplay to form Earth's destiny...
Two People, One Appliance, No Freezer Full of LeftoversTwosomes who share a kitchen—but not the desire to spend all day in it—face a quandary: buy cheap but unhealthy takeout or sink time into preparing whole foods meals that they’re likely to end up eating for days and days. With this cookbook, a third option is now on the table-er, countertop: good-for-you slow cooker meals that save hours a... read more
Dreams from the Heart: Tales of Hope & Love
C. R. Sturgill
A loving husband finds his life cut tragically short. A lovelorn schoolteacher finds unexpected passion in the stories she “red-pens.” A down-and-out writer takes a chance on a dream. With humor, heart, and beautifully crafted prose, Dreams from the Heart is a collection of nineteen short stories by C. R. Sturgill that offers a fresh male perspective on love, romance, family, and hope. Anyone ... read more
How Abad and Shamar Became Gardeners
Jeff Wild
Abad and Shamar are garden smart! They know all about gardening, from when to plant seeds to the amount of water to give any plant. But these two gardeners didn’t always tend to the earth. They used to be scarecrows! Find out just how they magically changed in How Abad and Shamar Became Gardeners, the delightful, illustrated children’s book that teaches young readers and adults alike how to ma... read more
Verses in Red
J. W. Berry
Young and beautiful, Ann Gonzales has fallen in love with the dashing young parish priest in her small New Mexican town. They consummate their love for each other resulting in Ann becoming pregnant. Enraged by Father Andrews’ violation of his daughter, Ann’s father seeks justice from the powerful Catholic Bishop Coro in Santa Fe. During an emotionally charged confrontation between Ann and Bish... read more
Essential Spices and Herbs: Discover Them, Understand Them, Enjoy Them
Rockridge Press, Christina Nichol
50 Herbs and Spices That Will Transform the Way You Cook The key to becoming a skilled home cook isn’t about tracking down the perfect recipes or mastering the techniques of professional chefs. It lies in understanding the vast world of flavor, one that can be difficult to navigate. Essential Spices and Herbs introduces you to the 50 must-know herbs and spices that will take your cooking to th... read more
A fundamental paradigm shift has occurred in marketing and branding. Today the most successful CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs and enterprises set their sites on developing a long-term platform instead of a short-term strategy that supports and builds buzz for their personal or business brand. That’s really the key to the new business mindset the recognition that branding and marketing are a... read more
Nell has 3 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Communication
Nell is extremely talented and professional. Her communication was always on time and she met every deadline that she outlined. The improvements she suggested were always spot on with very good insight as to what the reader would be thinking and what they would need clarification on. It was a pleasure to work with her.
Read moreJames Jewell, September 2017
Nell does excellent, accurate work. It's a big deal to trust someone with your book, but I trust her judgment. Highly recommended! Looking forward to the next collaboration.
Read moreLee Schneider, April 2017
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Nicola Perry
There's a class of writer who cares; who is motivated far more by guiding values than the marketplace. I work for you.
Norwich, UK
