Letter from the Editor
From a very young age, I was obsessed with the power of language—more specifically, the power of clear and effective communication. I delight in the worlds of fiction and fantasy; I am constantly amazed at the beauty of the fact that such fluidity and freedom of expression can be achieved with symbols on a page. At the same time, I revel in the near-mathematical precision of the mechanics of writing.
For much of my life, I lacked a good outlet for my uncontrollable urges to correct text. The more I learned about the rules and guidelines of writing, the more I saw text all around me that was in desperate need of my help. Posters, commercials, billboards, text messages, emails, essays... Comma splices, typos, and dangling modifiers were everywhere! All I wanted was to promote the power and clarity of the written word, to rescue people from potential embarrassment and misunderstandings. I eventually learned when to hold my tongue and when to speak up, but I will admit to committing a few acts of grammar vigilantism when it all got to be too much to handle.
Copyediting truly is my calling. It requires a precise mix of extreme detail-orientation and artistry; few things make me happier than clean, correct text.
For much of my life, I lacked a good outlet for my uncontrollable urges to correct text. The more I learned about the rules and guidelines of writing, the more I saw text all around me that was in desperate need of my help. Posters, commercials, billboards, text messages, emails, essays... Comma splices, typos, and dangling modifiers were everywhere! All I wanted was to promote the power and clarity of the written word, to rescue people from potential embarrassment and misunderstandings. I eventually learned when to hold my tongue and when to speak up, but I will admit to committing a few acts of grammar vigilantism when it all got to be too much to handle.
Copyediting truly is my calling. It requires a precise mix of extreme detail-orientation and artistry; few things make me happier than clean, correct text.
Melody has the sensibility of a lifelong reader, the eagle eye of an experienced editor, and a genuine enthusiasm for language and style. She is also a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Melody as a copy editor and proofreader. --Midge Raymond, Ashland Creek Press
Professional Qualifications
- Freelance editor and proofreader for ten years (book credits at various levels of involvement include The Ghost Runner, The Last Mile, The Names of Things, The Dragon Keeper, Falling into Green, Everyday Writing, Everyday Book Marketing, Love and Ordinary Creatures, Strays, Dogland, and The Crows of Beara from Ashland Creek Press as well as the independently published titles Legitimate Business and Discordia: Short Stories from the Golden Apple of Discord, among others; the final product is at the discretion of the authors)
- Three years' experience as full-time proofreader for a direct marketing company
- Experience creating official style guides for businesses and nonprofit organizations
- BA in Professional Writing, including coursework in advanced grammar, advanced composition, creative writing, literature, grantwriting, and linguistics
- Dankook Award for top female graduate in the senior class of my university
- Two years' experience tutoring peers at the university Writing Center
- Six-month editorial internship with a local press
- Nine months of technical writing internships