Ursula Acton – Editor

Aside from a brief, ill-considered stint waiting tables, all of my working life has revolved around reading and writing. I do not consider myself a big-picture editor and largely shine in the niches of copy editor and proofreader. Got a project where we are scouring out errors, polishing grammar, fine-tuning nuance and idiom, and getting the punctuation just right all while preserving the author's voice? Lead me to it!

I have worked largely in the field of academic publishing – is it odd that I find bibliographies gratifying? – interspersed with fiction and non-fiction titles for smaller presses (and a very enlightening three years as an in-house proofreader for a communications company). Recent topics have ranged from general books on linguistics, religion, self-improvement, social sciences, and history, to Wittgenstein, neurosis, computer sciences, and KCNQ2-associated epilepsies (that latter is a bit of a specialist market, granted). At present, I am also enjoying working with authors on biographies and memoirs and finding ways to help people tell their stories.

I am invested in harmonious working relationships and strive to help authors get their work ready for press.