Summary
The Past
I'm from Ennis, Texas. At 18, I joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer programmer (3C072) and was stationed at Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Alabama. Shortly after I finished my first bachelor's degree (in mathematics) the AF gave me orders to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. There I taught the AF computer programming courses for the tech school airmen and the 7-level students in upgrade training. After just over ten years of AF service, I separated and soon found my way back to Gunter and Montgomery again, this time working in the Defense Information Systems Agency, first as a contractor and then as a civil servant. After five years in DISA, I returned to the AF as a civil servant to work at Air University. In May 2015, I left information technology and federal service to become an editor. I've since returned to school and completed my second bachelor's degree (in English) and a Master of Liberal Arts.
The Future
And now I'm here for you and your fiction editing needs. You need an editor who understands how to take care of your literary babies: the love and pain, the tears and joy. I get it. Your struggle is understood. And I feel your fear about having some editor hacking and slashing at your literary baby like you're in a gory B horror flick. Yes, I kill your darlings. But I clean up the mess. I'm gentle about it--with both your baby and you--and I help you both grow.
I'm most interested in editing speculative fiction (e.g. horror, paranormal, science fiction), but I'm equally skilled in other fiction genres.
My mother language is American English, but my mother was British, so British (and Canadian and Australian) English is within my ken.
I'm most interested in editing speculative fiction (e.g. horror, paranormal, science fiction), but I'm equally skilled in other fiction genres.
My mother language is American English, but my mother was British, so British (and Canadian and Australian) English is within my ken.
SkillsEditing: copy/line editing, manuscript evaluations, proofreading, developmental and substantive editing
Genres: general fiction, horror, paranormal, science fiction, suspense, thriller, romance (and extensions), poetry Writing: short and long fiction, poetry, creative Style Guides: Chicago MLA, APA; experienced with ASA, New Zealand Legal, Harvard, and Cambridge styles Types of documents: novels, short stories, short short stories, flash fiction, poetry (rhymed and metered as well as non-rhymed and non-metered) Other skills: Microsoft Office products, Scrivener, ProWritingAid, library use, dictionary use, LibreOffice |
SuperpowersHelping you get better at writing
Helping you feel better about your work Killing darlings while leaving your work intact Accurate and efficient focus on all projects Knowing when to trust the internet (and when not to) Recognizing an un-reviewed first draft Identifying the elements of a good manuscript Accepting and providing constructive criticism Learning things I don’t already know Superior work ethic |
Work History
What you'll read below is my work history since I left Pizza Hut for the Air Force. Not all of it pertains to editing.
Sage Pencils, Freelance Editor June 2015 - present
Elite Editing and Elite Authors, Writer and Editor January 2019 - present
Edit manuscripts for style and mechanics, style guides:
- Chicago Manual
- American Psychological Association
- Maintain easy-to-read Flesch-Kincaid score
- Write with SEO and keyword guidelines in mind
- Identify optional titles, keywords, and subtopics
- Note applicable audiences and reasons people search for this topic
Solomon Admissions Consulting, Freelance Editor October 2017 - present
Edit students' admissions essays to ivy league and top universities. I love to help these amazing students demonstrate their unique abilities in a masterfully written essay that helps them stand out in highly competitive groups of applicants.
Highlights
- Review tone, content, topic for areas requiring adjustment or improvement;
- Restructure areas that need improvement
- Provide solution options to improve their essay presentation and flow
- Enhance and perfect personal statements into compelling stories that accurately and concisely represent students' hobbies, interests, and passions
- Shape students' personal stories into polished gems that get noticed by admissions boards
Highlights
- Personal statements, common applications, university-specific questions
- Edit for grammar, clarity, structure, flow
Kibin, Freelance Editor July 2015 - present
View my Kibin profile at https://www.kibin.com/profile/77744.
Personal statements, admissions essays, college essays, cover letters, business communications, web copy for conferences, and dissertation abstracts.
Client feedback:
Personal statements, admissions essays, college essays, cover letters, business communications, web copy for conferences, and dissertation abstracts.
Client feedback:
- "Awesome! Service was super fast and I just loved her thoughtful (and of course, really helpful) comments. Will be using this site again. Thank you Team Kibin and Sarah! - Kim"
- - H. M. K.
- "it is a very good editing,quick and perfect.thank you."
- "Thanks so much for the great editing and comments. This was incredibly helpful."
The Scriblerian and the Kit-Cats, Associate Editor August 2019 - August 2020
Proofread galley proofs for mechanics, style, consistency
Administrative: maintained subscription lists; located, sorted, and gathered literature to be reviewed; provided contributors with PDF issues
Administrative: maintained subscription lists; located, sorted, and gathered literature to be reviewed; provided contributors with PDF issues
THAT Literary Review, Associate Fiction Editor April 2018 - July 2020
Read short fiction and creative non-fiction submissions for suitability for THAT journal
- Read and rated hundreds of submissions for THAT #4 (2019) and THAT #5 (2020)
- Evaluated writers' submissions to suggest potential selections to editor-in-chief
- Corrected spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors
- Maintained authorial voice
- Proofread galleys
- Assisted in cover selection
- Contacted authors
Auburn University Montgomery, WAC Intern August 2016 - April 2017
As the writing consultant for my assigned writing-intensive classes, I:
- Offered one-on-one consultation for all students during all stages of the writing process
- Provided instructional support for the students and faculty of the writing intensive course
- Facilitated group peer review sessions
- Created handouts and presentations related to the assigned writing assignments
- Proctored ACT CAAP critical thinking testing assessment
Green Ivy Publishing, Freelance Editor October 2015 - March 2017
Published line editing projects:
Reviewed manuscripts for/to:
- Soul Line Family Saga: Cloak of the Deceiver by Michael Earl Decamp
- Coffee, Conversation, and Poetry by Todd A. Moil
- When Bad Blood Flows by Donna Beaver
- Murder in Flatrock, Nebraska by Jonathan Mannering
- Among Us Mortals by Amerie Jones
- Civility Shines!: "It's Easier to Get Along!" by Louis Peerless
Reviewed manuscripts for/to:
- Creative content, writing style, and use of language in sentences and paragraphs
- Ensured language appropriately communicates the author's story to the reader
- Noted unclear and clunky language, the places where the language drags the story
- Identified language that doesn't fit with the intended atmosphere of a scene
- Spotted vague words, broad generalizations, and clichés
- Grammar: sticky sentences, run-on sentences,
- Structure: information dumps, meandering dialogue, inadequate word choices
- Opportunities to improve:
- Replacement words for clarification, changes in pace
- Remove or restructure redundant or overused information and unhelpful digressions
- Clarify speakers in dialogue and characters in narration where text is needlessly confusing
BlogMutt, Freelance Blogger October 2015 - May 2017
Created original quality blog posts for companies who don't have the time or resources to write their own posts.
U.S. Air Force December 2012 - May 2015
System Analyst / Lead Technical Writer February 2014 - May 2015
Prototype developer for Air University adoption of Amazon Web Services.
- Researched feasibility of student management systems consolidation and movement to AWS.
- Analyzed university business functions for movement to cloud-based technologies.
- Developed test case data sets and test scripts.
- Performed testing activities. Reported results to developers for remediation.
- Worked with customers to perform test cases.
- Assisted with migration of Oracle database from legacy Registrar IT system to new.
Business Analyst / Education Systems Specialist December 2012 - February 2014
Gathered and documented user requirements for the Air University Registrar Education Program Management system.
Modeled business requirements using business process modeling notation.
Developed and maintained internal SharePoint sites to maintain business processes and requirements and user's manuals.
Developed SQL queries for users to pull non-standard reports.
Modeled business requirements using business process modeling notation.
Developed and maintained internal SharePoint sites to maintain business processes and requirements and user's manuals.
Developed SQL queries for users to pull non-standard reports.
Defense Information Systems Agency July 2007 - December 2012
Database Automation Developer and Database Security Administrator
Developed Korn shell scripts to automate Oracle and DB2 database security scans and documentation supporting Air Force and Department of Defense customers.
Developed Windows batch programs to automate Oracle and DB2 database security scans.
Consolidated scan results to assist with audits and reviews.
Performed security reviews for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, PostgreSQL, and MySQL DBMSs running on Solaris, Red Hat, HP-UX, and Windows operating systems.
Worked with customers to remediate security vulnerabilities.
Developed Windows batch programs to automate Oracle and DB2 database security scans.
Consolidated scan results to assist with audits and reviews.
Performed security reviews for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, PostgreSQL, and MySQL DBMSs running on Solaris, Red Hat, HP-UX, and Windows operating systems.
Worked with customers to remediate security vulnerabilities.
Education History
Auburn University at Montgomery 2016 - 2018 (undergraduate), 2019-2021 (graduate)
Master of Liberal Arts, GPA 4.0
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) English and Creative Writing, GPA 3.92
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
Writing Across the Curriculum Intern 2016-2017
Workshops: Fiction Writing (undergraduate and graduate), Poetry Writing (undergraduate and graduate)
Literary forms: Science Fiction Short Story, Epic Literature: Homer to Milton, Exploring Gothic Literature, American Film History (1950-present)
English language: History of the English Language, Introduction to Linguistics
Literature: Literary Criticism, Romanticism and the Emotions
Drama: Playwriting (introduction and directed study, both graduate), Elizabethan/Jacobean Drama, Shakespeare: Romans & Romances
Foreign language: Latin I, Latin II
Other: Business and Professional Writing, English as a Field of Study, Greek Civilization
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) English and Creative Writing, GPA 3.92
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
Writing Across the Curriculum Intern 2016-2017
Workshops: Fiction Writing (undergraduate and graduate), Poetry Writing (undergraduate and graduate)
Literary forms: Science Fiction Short Story, Epic Literature: Homer to Milton, Exploring Gothic Literature, American Film History (1950-present)
English language: History of the English Language, Introduction to Linguistics
Literature: Literary Criticism, Romanticism and the Emotions
Drama: Playwriting (introduction and directed study, both graduate), Elizabethan/Jacobean Drama, Shakespeare: Romans & Romances
Foreign language: Latin I, Latin II
Other: Business and Professional Writing, English as a Field of Study, Greek Civilization
National Defense University 2008 - 2014
Certificates: Chief Information Officer Certificate, Computer and IS Security/IA
GPA 3.77
CIO program aligns with the Federal CIO Council-defined CIO competencies. Addresses: Clinger-Cohen Act, other relevant legislation mandates (e.g. FISMA, SOX), and current administration’s interpretations and implementations of these legislative actions.
Courses: Global Enterprise Networking and Telecommunications, Information Assurance and Critical Infrastructure Protection, Enterprise Information Security and Risk Management, Cyber Security for Information Leaders, CIO 2.0 Roles and Responsibilities, Strategic Performance and Budget Management (Previously MOP), Data Management Strategies and Technologies, Information Technology Project Management, and Enterprise Strategic Planning.
Full program information available at https://cic.ndu.edu/catalog/programs.
GPA 3.77
CIO program aligns with the Federal CIO Council-defined CIO competencies. Addresses: Clinger-Cohen Act, other relevant legislation mandates (e.g. FISMA, SOX), and current administration’s interpretations and implementations of these legislative actions.
Courses: Global Enterprise Networking and Telecommunications, Information Assurance and Critical Infrastructure Protection, Enterprise Information Security and Risk Management, Cyber Security for Information Leaders, CIO 2.0 Roles and Responsibilities, Strategic Performance and Budget Management (Previously MOP), Data Management Strategies and Technologies, Information Technology Project Management, and Enterprise Strategic Planning.
Full program information available at https://cic.ndu.edu/catalog/programs.
Troy University in Montgomery 1998 - 2005
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Mathematics, Minor Computer Information Systems
GPA 3.93
Completed BS in Mathematics summa cum laude while maintaining a full-time career as an active duty database developer in the Air Force.
Mathematics: Mathematical Theory of Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Intro Real Variable Theory I, College Geometry, Theory of Numbers, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Precalculus Trigonometry, Elementary Functions & Coordinate Geometry (Pre-Calc)
CIS courses: Data Structures, Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Intro to Database Management Systems, Nature of Programming Language, The Internet in The Enterprise
Electives: Anthropology, General Psychology, Effective Communication, Fundamentals of Speech, Ethics, Introduction to Philosophy, Music Appreciation
Sciences: Physical Science, Principles of Biology, Physics I + Lab, Physics II + Lab
History: Western Civilization I, Western Civilization II
English: Composition & Modern English I, Composition & Modern English II, World Literature I
Bonus: Dean's Honor List x 6
GPA 3.93
Completed BS in Mathematics summa cum laude while maintaining a full-time career as an active duty database developer in the Air Force.
Mathematics: Mathematical Theory of Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Intro Real Variable Theory I, College Geometry, Theory of Numbers, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Precalculus Trigonometry, Elementary Functions & Coordinate Geometry (Pre-Calc)
CIS courses: Data Structures, Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Intro to Database Management Systems, Nature of Programming Language, The Internet in The Enterprise
Electives: Anthropology, General Psychology, Effective Communication, Fundamentals of Speech, Ethics, Introduction to Philosophy, Music Appreciation
Sciences: Physical Science, Principles of Biology, Physics I + Lab, Physics II + Lab
History: Western Civilization I, Western Civilization II
English: Composition & Modern English I, Composition & Modern English II, World Literature I
Bonus: Dean's Honor List x 6
Community College of the Air Force 1997 - 2006
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Computer Science Technology, 2004
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Instructor of Technology and Military Science, 2006
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Instructor of Technology and Military Science, 2006
Other Courses 2015 - present
Writing Academy
- Novel Writing Workshop
- Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
- Keys to Effective Editing
- Research Methods for Writers
- Grammar Refresher
- Beginning Writer's Workshop
- Write Fiction Like a Pro
- Advanced Fiction Writing
- Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
- 30 Days to Creative Courage with Mridu Khullar Relph
- The 4 Foundational Pillars of Novel Structure with C. S. Lakin
