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Personal, professional and commercial writing — polished.
As a freelance writer, I use my engaging and warm voice to communicate and get the message across. Whether I'm translating a rich background into a professional biography, exploring the community with an inquisitive mind or translating complex concepts into reader-friendly writing, the audience and the key messages shape the final copy.
My writing philosophy is: Give me the data and I'll make them understandable to your readers.
As a freelance copy editor and proofreader, I work with clients to make sure their written copy is clear, concise, and compelling. I am responsive to the client's level of need, from a light editing to ensure spelling and grammar are correct, to a deeper look at the organization, flow, and logic of a written work.
My editing philosophy is: You're an expert in your field, but that doesn't mean you're necessarily an expert in grammar. Write what you know and let me clean up the distractions.
• SERVICES
Writing:
As a writer, I generate copy on a variety of topics. I write informative and engaging newsletter articles, perk up flabby marketing copy, and highlight the professional bests in personal statements and executive bios. My editing background helps me to write in an organized, clear, grammatically solid style and keeps me focused on the readers' perceptions throughout the process.
Copy editing:
As a copy editor, I correct errors in faulty spelling, grammar and punctuation and check cross-references. I ensure consistency in spelling, hyphenation, fonts, sequencing and capitalization. I ensure key terms are handled consistently.
I query authors about conflicting statements, request advice when the means of resolving a problem is unclear, and prepare a style sheet. I may also incorporate the author's replies to queries.
Depending on the project and the client's directions, I may flag inappropriate figures of speech and smooth transition or change headlines or text to ensure parallel structure. I will change passive voice to active, if requested. I ensure previews and summaries reflect the content it reflects. I track the continuity of plot, setting and character traits of fiction works, querying the author when discrepancies are identified.
Based on the client agreement, I will eliminate wordiness and inappropriate jargon and move sentences to improve readability.
Proofreading:
As a proofreader, I compare text word for word against a manuscript, identify deviations for correction, and query editorial errors. I check copy for conformity to type specifications, create a style sheet, and ensure attractive typography by checking kerning, margins, word spacing, repetitive word breaks, and the like.
I deliver a document that shows all changes and queries, so the author retains ownership of the final product.
• AREAS OF INTEREST
Fiction, modern and historical non-fiction, cooking and cuisine, arts, wine, business, environment green living, employee development, law and legal issues
• EXPERIENCE
Styles:
AP, Chicago
Magazines:
Copy editing Valley Response Magazine using in house and Chicago style.
News:
Copy editing, proofreading daily and weekly community newspapers using AP and in-house style guide.
Trade:
Proofreading weekly industry trade publication.
Non-fiction:
Copy editing historical manuscript, on time and on budget.
Corporate:
Writing executive biographies for legal, technical company.
Writing, editing and proofreading newsletter for nonprofit organization.
Editing oversight report for local composting facilities.
Writing and editing nonprofit organization’s annual report to clients, donors and partners.
Professional:
Writing personal statements for graduate school applications.
Copy editing resumes, cover letters.
Development:
California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and Associated Press Institute copy editing workshops, covering the foundations of copy editing, common usage errors, logical flaws, fact-checking tactics, structural copy editing issues, grammar and usage.
Devoted reader of Strunk and White's Elements of Style
Rates:
Determined by project.
Search words: Copyeditor, copyediting, proof reading, cooking, cuisine, food, becker, eco, climate, recycling, green, wedding, carbon, bride, healthy, cookbook, writing, bio, recipe
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