You are a multi-hyphenate and you defy easy classification. Or, you are someone, Pygmalion-like, who has dedicated a lifetime to a singular devotion playwright, poet, songwriter.
If you have found yourself here, then you are probably curious about what a freelance editor or creative coach can do for you. There is no one way that a writer can benefit from either of these services, because of course, all art is so personal to the one creating it. But here are a few notions I can dispel: you dont need to have a particular profile, and it does not matter whether you are new to this, or have been doing this for years and years. It does not matter if you have an academic background that has fine-tuned your career as a writer, whatever form that writing takes. Whether you are self-published, trying to publish traditionally, or have never published at all, I can meet you where you are at.
You'll want the person working alongside you, in service of your life's work and passions, to be equally passionate, as well as have the track record to do so. So: who am I to so confidently step into that role?
With an academic background (+ 2 Bachelors of Arts) that spans philosophy, literature, communications, music, creative writing, and cinema studies, by way of the Rochambeau French International School, University of Montral, University of Concordia and Columbia College Chicago, among many others, I have honed my lifelong love of words. No matter the art form I devote myself to, words, language, and the wonderful people who create them, have always been the nucleus for me.
Becoming an editor was an inevitability, and so here I am.
As an Associate Editor for many years at Page Street Publishing, which is distributed by Macmillan, I learned that there is no typical day, so to speak, for an editor working in publishing. I also quickly understood the kind of editor and colleague I wanted to be, and that lesson was invaluable as I learned the ropes.In my current position as an Acquisitions Editor for New Harbinger Publications, from one moment to the next I might be working on a contract draft, going to conferences to scout potential authors, coordinating on editorial notes for a chapter batch, evaluating proposals, pitching book ideas at meetings, negotiating terms with an agent, doing in-depth research into comparative title and then some. Always, my relationships with my various authors have been paramount, and even as an inveterate introvert, I have enjoyed the beautiful relationships Ive developed along the way.As a freelance editor with a keen eye for minute details, as well as the macrocosmic, I have a particular knack for developmental editing, as well as line editing, along with the ability to ask and make clarifying questions and comments that help unearth those pesky issues each writer is wont to encounter: whats working here? what needs help? what are you trying to say? was that word intentional? what a fascinating perspective!
Francophone writers are warmly welcome, as I work in both languages (French + English). My areas of speciality include: - Fiction (novels, novel-in-stories, standalone short stories, short story collections, novellas, flash fiction, anthologies, and more); - Nonfiction (memoirs, articles, personal essays, essay collections, and more); - Poetry, and poetry collections; - Hybrid or genre- and form-bending projects; - Graphic novels.
Outside of my day job, and in the last 10+ years: I have edited manuscripts and stories for close friends, and some past and current roles Ive stepped into include Art Columnist for LARgot, the Art History Magazine for the University of Montral, First Reader for Strange Horizons, Junior Editorial Consultant for FLAPPERHOUSE, Editor for Reckoning Press, Contributor for Supermaker and Editor for Knee Brace Press. As co-EIC, Creative Director and co-Founder of The Nasiona, I have done some of the work I am most joyful about, heralding magazine issues, editing essays and poetry, doing voice work, and conceptualizing projects like anthologies and musical albums.
Creating Virago Editing & Creative Services was, like becoming en editor, an inevitability. All the things I have learned, and all the astounding artists I have had the privilege of working with have galvanized me to create a space for others who are eager to get their work out there, and may need a little help along the way. It was borne out of the desire to validate those who have not had the seat at the table; anyone who has been marginalized, felt alienated, felt disillusioned in the process. If that is you, I see you and I cannot wait to meet you.
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