Editing
The world’s most successful companies inspect each item that leaves their factories, because they want everything to come out as close to perfectly as possible.
That’s what editing is. I provide quality control for the text of your projects. I inspect your words, sentences, paragraphs, and documents to make sure they are clear, concise, and precise. You know what you want to say; I help you make sure you say it in the most powerful way.
I got my start editing the term papers of college students. Then, at my first newspaper job, I quickly rose to the positions of associate editor and then managing editor. I was responsible for all the paper’s content, as well as for fiction and arts reviews in a sister publication catering to the surfing culture on California’s Central Coast.
Lately, individual clients have credited me with helping them refine their admissions essays to get into very selective academic programs, including at least one Ivy League doctoral program. I have also done some work for community groups in the suburbs of Los Angeles, as well as for a corporate employer.
I offer:
Proofreading
If your text is complete, but you need a trustworthy second set of eyes to make sure everything is in order, this is for you.
- Check spelling, grammar, diction, and syntax for correctness and consistency.
- In some cases, proofreading consists of comparing documents.
- Proofreading can also lead to more in-depth corrections.
Copyediting
- Review grammar, punctuation, diction, syntax, and style for correctness and consistency.
- Make sure the tone, voice, and format are right for your audience.
- Check the accuracy of facts.
- Suggest revisions. For example: elements that could use more in-depth analysis, passages that could be more concise, and ways that narrative could be improved.
Developmental editing and rewriting
Sometimes, a text will require large structural changes or extensive rewriting of content. This is where my collaborative experience can benefit you, the writer: I have successfully developed stories with reporters covering a wide variety of topics, and welcome the opportunity to collaborate. Most importantly, I have been praised for providing constructive editorial guidance without getting too zealous with the red pen.