Hello
I'm so glad you found me, and I'm happy you're here.
I'm not your typical copy editor. I don't judge your work, try to change your voice, or tell you what to do or how to write. I give suggestions and offer solutions, but it's your voice that shines through.
My role is to work with you and support you. Unlike some other editors, my feedback and comments are constructive, kind, and never curt. It can be a vulnerable position to share your work and ideas with others, and I'm sensitive to that.
Whatever your topic, I improve drafts, reshaping and smoothing them into a piece you can publish, submit, or simply keep for yourself and enjoy.
I'm an intuitive editor with integrity, easy to work with, and have fast turnaround times with correct, credible, enhanced, and reliable copy.
My Story
A love for the written word is in my blood. My parents owned a printing shop when I was a child, where after school I spent time excitedly watching large printing presses go to work creating a variety of material for local businesses. The sounds, smells, and sights of the presses, inks, and letter blocks were fascinating But what I really enjoyed was using the old-fashioned typewriter to explore my own writing, and I soon began asking endless questions about spelling and grammar. Weekends were often filled with Scrabble games and word puzzles, and I continued writing throughout elementary, middle, and high school.
My love for words and fascination with etymology led me to study journalism during my undergraduate program. After being offered an impossible-to-pass-up opportunity in a different field, I turned toward a different path, following my love of animals and wildlife conservation. Sixteen years later, I followed another passion of mine: music. Serendipitously, both paths brought me full circle when, after more than 30 years in the corporate world, I realized I wanted to use my knowledge and experience to help others in the best way I know how. I made the change from being just a number in ant farm to working for myself and reclaiming my position as a grammar geek in order to help others succeed.
So, I set out on my own to earn a specialized certificate in copyediting from UCSD and a Master of Arts in English with an Emphasis in Education from GCU. I have turned my love for writing into a business where I can pursue my mission and passion of transforming writers into authors.
I have current and fresh experience editing and proofreading nonfiction books, articles, manuals, academic and research papers, business documents and books, and online content.
My specialty is nonfiction.
I can help you with memoirs; business, entrepreneurship, and leadership; spirituality, self-help, personal transformation, and philosophy; academic and research papers; how-tos; professional documents; and more. I have a particular interest in writers who have a goal of making a difference through telling their stories or sharing their knowledge with others.
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My Projects
Featured New Release!
Ellen E. Patnaude