No matter how carefully you edit your own work, the perspective and expertise of a professional editor can make the difference between good-enough writing and impactful writing. An editor will see problems and opportunities you will inevitably miss, simply because you are immersed in the project. An editor can help you strengthen your argument and reach your reader, while preserving your personal style. Publishers vary in their willingness to take on a manuscript in need of significant revision, so a clean and compelling submission increases the chance of having your work accepted.
My experience at traditional academic presses as well as my own work as a scholar lets me bring to your project a deep familiarity with traditional forms of academic prose — monographs, journal articles, book reviews, book proposals — and an ability to help you navigate the entire publishing process with ease. My work with textbooks across disciplines lets me help you craft an educational resource that is content-rich, pedagogically-informed, and both visually and verbally compelling. My experience leading the editorial program for an innovative and interdisciplinary online publication in the humanities means I am well-positioned to assist you with projects like crossover books, essays, and op-ed pieces that help you get your ideas out there in ways that are both intellectually rich and broadly accessible. I also invite you to find out how I can assist you with the development of your curriculum vitae, resumé, or website.
Writing is personal as well as professional, and I place a premium on collaborative relationships with my clients. I am actively interested in your development as an author, and my goal is to help you impress the world with your highest quality work.
Developmental editing
Craftsmanship at the level of ideas and narrative. Are you unsure how to formulate a project? Struggling to articulate a clear thesis that will make a significant contribution to your discipline? Stuck with an argument that doesn’t make sense? Pulling your hair out over runaway tangents? Not sure your piece is pitched at the right audience? Developmental editing can help you get on track. You will receive an edited manuscript and/or a detailed editorial letter outlining suggestions for big-picture revisions as well as a discussion of your work via phone, email, or Skype.
Copyediting
Craftsmanship at the level of detail. Syntax. Grammar. Those pesky semicolons. Coherence and clarity at the sentence level. Consistency across a manuscript. Proper citation format. Conformity to a publisher’s style sheet. Copyediting can clean up all the messes you haven’t the time to deal with. I work efficiently, with impeccable attention to detail and flexibility to adapt to your preferred style. You will receive an edited manuscript as well as a style sheet for your project so that you needn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes time to proofread.
Proofreading
The last phase of the publishing process, proofreading involves catching mistakes that have managed to hang around until the end or that were generated while your work was in production. Whether you’re scheduled to be on vacation when your page proofs show up, or you’re eager to get that project off your desk so you can move on to the next, I can help you polish your work to perfection.
Indexing
A good index makes your scholarly work more user-friendly. I can assist with the preparation of author, primary source, and subject indices, and others depending on the needs of your project.