About me:
I am a reference librarian based in Seattle with 15+ years of experience working in independent bookstores. I am a writer, copy editor, and a book nerd. I'm currently enrolled in an online graduate school studying library science.
In 2005 I completed the University of Washington Extension's "Program in Editing" (the only accredited copy editing course in the country that I am aware of) for which I received a certificate, and I earned a B.A. in English literature from The Evergreen State College in 1999. I have done freelance copy editing work for two local non-profit organizations (brochures, newsletters, press releases), and have helped numerous individuals with resumes, graduate school applications, PowerPoint presentations, speeches, essays, proposals, articles, term papers, cover letters and correspondence. I am a fan of the Gregg Reference Manual and of course, use the current edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. I also have ready access to a wide variety of grammar books, dictionaries (preferring the current Merriam-Webster's Collegiate), and thesauri. I am also capable of utilizing the Associated Press style book and have a passing acquaintance with The New York Times Manual of Style and Turabian. I am also available for copy writing. References available upon request.
I enjoy helping insecure essayists sharpen and polish their prose just as much as I do the more advanced writers. Copy editing is both an art and a science. I have to see the words before I can decide if I am the best person for the job- and I will tell you if I think you should take your work elsewhere. So let me see what you are trying to improve and we can take it from there.
Testimonials:
Roger provided me with both a grammatical and structural edit of my grad school statements. After many rewrites of my own work, his grammatical edit embodied both the precise attention to detail and technical expertise that enabled me to see my work with new eyes. He was quick to point out industry specific lingo that I'd overlooked. His structural edit challenged me to express my ideas in words clearly and concisely with readers and reviewers in mind. I found the editing questions he posed an invaluable aid; his advice not only improved the pieces I had him edit, but impressed itself on my memory so that it continues to influence my everyday academic writing.
- Sarah Warren/Tufts University graduate student