Editing

Publisher and Senior Editor (August 2023–Present)
Road Trip Press, Charlottesville, VA

  • Lead staff of 5 in establishing press and managing all aspects of the business and publication process.

  • Work with authors on projects-in-progress through a mostly traditional acquisitions-to-sales model.

  • Document all aspects of the editorial process for coming open access repository project, Edits on the Record.

  • Authoring companion guide to support faculty in using the repository for editing and publishing courses.

  • Sponsored by the Jefferson Trust, an initiative of the U.Va. Alumni Association, and the University of Virginia Libraries.

Developmental Editor (Sep. 2018–March 2022)
Manning Publications, USA

  • Managed book projects from concept to pre-publication; work with individual subject matter experts to develop book manuscripts on cutting-edge technology issues, leveraging best practices in adult learning theory.

  • Managed manuscript development on schedule to ensure the timely release of advance content and final products.

  • Worked with in-house acquisitions editors, subject matter specialists, copy editors, production editors, and marketing specialists to create and launch each title successfully.

  • Navigated multiple web-based platforms for internal project management and communication, including Trello, GitHub, and Slack.

  • Prepared promotional materials for web presentation, including providing sample edited/designed pages and writing web copy. Coordinate with others to ensure promotional release of book covers.

Editor (June 2007–Aug. 2019)
Nationwide (USA)

  • Provided freelance project management, substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading on literary, academic, and commercial manuscripts.

  • Applied CMS, MLA, and Turabian style guidelines, in coordination with House style and industry standards, to print and electronic manuscripts, preparing finished products to be market-ready.

  • Worked with individual scholars and academic publishers, including Virginia Tech, Abilene Christian University Press, Baylor University Press, and Oklahoma Christian University.

  • Offered project consultation and instruction on articles, short stories, and proposals for creative writers and business professionals.

  • Subject areas included computer science, literature and writing studies, veterans studies, social science, international studies, and religion/theology, as well as literary and commercial fiction/nonfiction.

Managing Editor (June 2009–Aug. 2010)
Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, TX

  • Managed the publishing schedule, production status, and seasonal deadlines for 3 imprints (approx. 30 books/year).

  • Independently edited a significant portion of the publishing list, including substantive edit, copy edit, and proofing.

  • Worked closely with authors at every stage of the process, from concept to post-publication, negotiating editorial revisions along the way.

  • Planned project development within modest nonprofit budget; leveraged personal contacts and negotiated reduced fees from established professionals for high-quality outside contracting.

  • Wrote House Style Manual and New Author’s Guide to Production and Publicity.

  • Provided training on industry, house, and departmental standards and practices for in-house staff.

  • Streamlined and created internal production, routing, and filing systems that significantly improved staff collaboration and allowed for product movement from regional into national markets and supported annual Press revenues increasing by more than 50%.

  • Coordinated and oversaw freelance designers to create book covers, interiors, and catalogs.

  • Wrote and edited jacket copy, press releases, web copy, and related promotional material.

Editorial Assistant (May 2005–June 2007)
Hachette Book Group USA, Brentwood, TN

  • Worked primarily on projects with advances in the $50–125K range.

  • Researched potential projects and authors; prepared sample content, profit and loss estimates, and detailed contract requests; pitched material for general consideration.

  • Worked closely with the department head to monitor budget, product schedules, and staff management.

  • Coordinated parties in and out of house, including staff in Production, Art, Marketing, and Sales, to ensure that books were completed well and on time.

  • Sought out, hired, and evaluated freelance copy editors and proofreaders on a per-project and ongoing basis.

  • Proofed typeset manuscripts for errors and visual layout (including fonts, text leading, and placement of charts, graphs, and illustrations).

  • Wrote high volumes of correspondence to in-house staff, outside partners, and senior leadership on day-to-day business and special projects; wrote talking points for senior personnel’s speeches to audiences of approx. 300 sales staff; wrote and performed sales scripts for multiple books each season, for sales staff to use in preparing their pitches to buyers.

Editorial Assistant (June 2004–Aug. 2004)
Baylor University Press, Waco, TX                                                                                                                                

  • Read and commented on content and style in book manuscripts.

  • Assisted in copy editing brochures and manuscripts.

  • Prepared manuscripts for print by compiling original texts into acceptable electronic formats and corresponding with authors to ensure accuracy and relevance.