Melissa N

ME, United States

““You can make anything by writing.” – C. S. Lewis”

Specialist subjects:

Communication & Media Studies Fiction Film Studies Insurance Librarianship & Information Management

Editing formats:

Education:

BA in Communication, Minor in Art History

University of Southern Maine

1987–1991

Favorite referencing style

APA is my favorite because of its precision and the readability of the narrative citations.

Why I became an editor

My communication degree led me to librarianship, medical office work, and even insurance claims and auditing, but my passion for words and reading was not satisfied by a sea of spreadsheets.

Proofreading combines the endless creativity of the written word with the precision of refining those words into the best result possible.

Background and experience

Along with librarianship and insurance policy work, I have evaluated manuscripts and written book reviews, earning a reputation as the go-to wordsmith at any job I have held.

Why I love proofreading and editing

I love putting that final polish on a document so that the writer's voice shines through.

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Favorite book:

It is nearly impossible to pick just one, but my favorites are perhaps Outlander by Diana Gabaldon for fiction, and H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald for recent non-fiction.

Hobbies:

When not proofreading, I love reading, cooking, gardening, and hiking in a nearby preserve. My fiance and I are about to remodel a century-old Maine farmhouse, which should be an adventure.

Editing tips:

Don't try to correct everything at once. Follow a methodical approach that focuses on one aspect (grammar, punctuation, regional dialect, etc.) of proofreading at a time.

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