Shawn Richardson – Editor

From a "second set of eyes" to a deep line edit, I can provide whatever level of editorial assistance you require. I specialize in nonfiction content, including educational resources, business writing, self-help, and memoir. I also enjoy editing children's fiction books.

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Whether I’m working on a compelling blog article, a cutting-edge business book, or a riveting memoir, I bring a keen eye to grammar and mechanics as well as the organizational flow of the text. I work hard to maintain the author’s authentic voice while bringing to life the message they’ve been moved to tell.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to proofread and edit a variety of content, including classroom resources, business and philosophical texts, memoir and self-help writings, technical and informational copy—even recipes! I’ve also had extensive experience in bringing a native English tone to writings created by non-native English speakers.

My career in publishing included a seventeen-year in-house position with Scholastic, a major educational publisher headquartered in New York City. For the decade that followed, I continued my tenure with Scholastic, this time working remotely from a lake cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Now in Music City, I am doing what I love most: freelance editing and proofreading all sorts of writing, including full-length books.

Let’s discuss your next project!

Editor | Proofreader | Ghost-RE-writer | Script Doctor | Voice Talent | and More!

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Favorite quotes:

“Line editing isn’t about correction. It’s about showing the writer the power of their own voice.”

— Christina M. Frey

“Editing your own book is like giving yourself a tattoo. It hurts too much, and the perspective is all wrong.”

— Helen H. Moore

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Testimonials:

"Is there room here to describe not only Shawn's professional editorial brilliance, but her MASTERY with personal communication and project management? I hired Shawn to proofread my 300+ page personal memoir and in additional to polishing it to a beautiful shine, she provided a calming and supportive voice to the very end. I honestly can't even express how important that aspect of her work was to my project. I feel so grateful that I found her, and that she walked me across the finish line with such grace and expertise. She made my book so much better, and she did it all with heart and spirit. I could not recommend her with more enthusiasm!!"

— Kristy Sweetland, author, Stark Raving Zen

"Flexible, friendly and above all very competent proofreader / editor who always manages to keep deadlines. I can highly recommend her!"

—Liesbeth Heenk, Amsterdam Publishers