Sarah M.

Hello! With over 30 years of experience in editing, proofreading, and content creation, I specialize in helping authors refine their manuscripts and prepare them for publication. I have spent decades refining my editing, writing, and mentoring skills, as well as editing books, articles, and website content for a diverse range of clients across multiple countries. I'm adept at editing in both American English, British English, and Australian English. Aside from private contracts and Upwork projects, I have been the Senior Editor at a publishing company since 2019. Their business model is pivoting from my book division, but I'll remain on board, writing and/or editing video scripts for their Captivating History YouTube channel; I look forward to new projects with them on a limited basis only. For the past few decades, I've partnered with private authors who want to polish their manuscripts, articles, blogs, and more. Whether you need developmental editing, line editing, or a detailed focus on punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling (PUGS), I'll ensure your work is clear, concise, and publication-ready. I'm a "mentoring editor" - if you wish - who hopes to leave you a little better of an author than when we started. In addition, I also format for Amazon's KDP, offering that service as an add-on to the edit. I reside in central Texas (CST); I am a native English speaker with a B.A. in English and a militant stickler for proper wording, grammar, punctuation, and concise written communication. As such, I have much to offer regarding editing, voracious research, and writing. Core Skills and Expertise Developmental Editing: Collaborating with authors to refine story structure, flow, and clarity while maintaining their unique voices. Copy Editing and Proofreading: Enhancing readability and ensuring error-free manuscripts through meticulous attention to detail. Content Polishing: Editing and revising website content, articles, and blogs to ensure clarity and professionalism. AI Fact-checking: Having worked extensively with AI-generated manuscripts for the last few years, I'm deeply aware of the strengths and pitfalls of this tool. To better understand this growing field, I've taken courses in prompt engineering and LLMs. Research: As an avid researcher of anything/everything, I don't assume much. I've had to delve into a wide range of subject matter, from neuroscience to philosophy to AI's federated language to digital or medical forensics... and I enjoy it immensely. If you're looking to ensure your text aligns with proven facts, I am naturally and enthusiastically your gal for the job. (For instance, the instructions for writing this profile include "keep it short," yet the character counter in this text box says I have 1,648 characters left!) Memberships and Education Member of the Authors Guild, Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), ACES: The Society for Editing, and Critique Circle. Bachelor of Arts in English, Sam Houston State University. Why Work With Me? I bring a wealth of experience and a passion for language to every project. With an eye for detail and a commitment to helping authors succeed, I take pride in delivering high-quality results that elevate your writing to its best version. Whether you're preparing your manuscript for self-publishing or submitting it to a traditional publisher, I'm here to help you achieve your goals. I look forward to hearing about your project!