Kirsten Janene-Nelson: Freelance Editor & Consultant

kjn [at] sonic [dot] net

SUMMARY

I am a multi-talented professional with 19 years’ experience in book publishing. Whether the task is to proofread a manuscript or to overhaul a department, I offer both a microscopic eye and peripheral vision. By this I mean I diligently maintain high quality without missing deadlines by keeping in view the smallest details within the big picture.

I am motivated by connection and relationship, whether working as editor or consultant. I value being part of a community or a system that’s working together to achieve a common goal. I love the relationship one develops working on a distinct project, such as editing a book — how you get deeper and deeper into the manuscript and come to understand it better and better. But this also applies to working on a larger project, such as publishing a book, how you get deeper and deeper into the entire publishing apparatus, collaborating closely with the text and art, with associates and with the author, up until the finished product arrives. I love every step of the process, and every part has its value.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

I have worked as a Freelance Editor & Consultant off and on since 1997 (most recently since 2006). My clients include University of California Press, BookMatters, Capital IQ/McGraw-Hill, Counterpoint, Curatorial Assistance, Inc., Heyday Books, Omnipoint Communications, Crimson Life Sciences, The Gronstedt Group, Soft Skull Press, Stones Throw Records, and the SF SPCA. Yet the bulk of my experience comes from having worked in-house for a small, highly acclaimed nonprofit press, Mercury House, from 1993 through 2005.

Freelance Editor/Proofreader/Fact-checker

I am an accomplished wordsmith with extensive experience editing and proofreading literary fiction, translation, and nonfiction in a variety of categories: armchair travel, cultural studies, environment & nature, essay anthologies, and film & music criticism. I am familiar with and function well at every step of the production process.

I have non-manuscript experience as well. Working in-house I edited, designed, typeset, and proofed all kinds of text: catalog and Web copy, press releases, grants, board minutes, contracts. I'm happy to work on any type of project.

I offer—

copy editing

proofreading

fact-checking

quick turnaround

I am—

fluent in The Chicago Manual of Style; proficient in AP style; adaptable to other guides or house styles

well versed in diplomatic author relations

often available at short-notice for long or short jobs

happy to do a sample chapter/project to demonstrate my abilities

willing to proof hard copy as well as PDF

For more on my approach to editing – including examples of heftier edits — please see the links below.

Consultant

Having held every position at Mercury House, from volunteer intern to editor to director, I possess a wide range of skills and expertise — virtually everything a small company might require. And as we were a small press during challenging times — the dot-com boom and bust in San Francisco — I am seasoned in stretching dollars and cutting corners without jeopardizing quality standards, schedules, or relationships.

Specialties—

Articulate Communicator: I developed excellent written and verbal skills within numerous departments and am well versed in everything from promotional materials to Web copy to board meetings.

Capable Manager: I deftly juggle complex projects and tight schedules, I possess strong interpersonal skills, and I teach and mentor with enthusiasm and sensitivity.

Efficiency Expert: I excel at streamlining systems and processes so as to maintain quality without losing sight of the larger concerns of schedule and budget.

PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE

Freelance Editor & Consultant, San Francisco, CA, 1997–2002; 2006–present

Clients include UC Press, BookMatters, Counterpoint, Soft Skull Press, Curatorial Assistance, Inc., Capital IQ/McGraw-Hill, Heyday Books, Omnipoint Communications, Crimson Life Sciences, The Gronstedt Group, Stones Throw Records, and the SF SPCA.

Various Positions, Mercury House, San Francisco, CA 1993–2005

www.mercuryhouse.org

Executive Director, 2000–2005
Senior Editor, 1999
Managing Editor, 1995–1998
Assistant Editor, 1994–1995
Editorial Assistant, 1993

Judge, Fiction Grant Panel, Marin Arts Council, San Rafael, CA, 2003

Publisher, De la Tour Saint Rapunza, San Francisco, CA, 1999–present

www.loveandloudcolours.com

Founded small alternative press; published illustrated lyric book and CD: Love and Loud Colours: Lyrics, Stories, and Fragments, by Edward Ka-Spel (2002).

EDUCATION

Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA: Bachelor of Arts (AB)

English & Comparative Literature Studies
Comprehensive Exam: Distinction
First Prize for nonfiction, Robert T. Moore/Argonaut Writing Contest
Minor: Psychology

Goldsmiths College, University of London, London, England

Editcetera, Berkeley, CA: Continuing Education

Classes/workshops taken include: Developmental Editing,
Editing for the Web, Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Usage

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Member, Bay Area Editors’ Forum

LINKS

My philosophical approach to editing, with three short samples, before & after.

My Mercury House portfolio describes many of the books to which I made a significant contribution (mostly editorial work, design, and/or typesetting).

My editorial credits page highlights books I’ve copyedited and/or proofread.

Michelle Tea wrote an article about my work with Mercury House for her “House Hunter” column in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Lit Section.

The Copyediting/Proofreading test I created for screening Mercury House freelancers demonstrates my editorial abilities and standards.

Samples of my editorial work on award-winning books:

Running Through Fire: How I Survived the Holocaust by Zosia Goldberg, with an introduction by Paul Auster (NEA Heritage & Preservation Series)

Wilderness and Razor Wire: A Naturalist’s Observations from Prison by Ken Lamberton

The Origin of the World by Pierre Michon, translated by Wyatt Mason

LinkedIn profile

Rates (general guidelines per the Editorial Freelancers Association)

REFERENCES

Available upon request.

CONTACT

kjn [at] sonic [dot] net

	kjn [at] sonic [dot] net
	SUMMARY I am a multi-talented professional with 19 years’ experience in book publishing. Whether the task is to proofread a manuscript or to overhaul a department, I offer both a microscopic eye and peripheral vision. By this I mean I diligently maintain high quality without missing deadlines by keeping in view the smallest details within the big picture. I am motivated by connection and relationship, whether working as editor or consultant. I value being part of a community or a system that’s working together to achieve a common goal. I love the relationship one develops working on a distinct project, such as editing a book — how you get deeper and deeper into the manuscript and come to understand it better and better. But this also applies to working on a larger project, such as publishing a book, how you get deeper and deeper into the entire publishing apparatus, collaborating closely with the text and art, with associates and with the author, up until the finished product arrives. I love every step of the process, and every part has its value. PROFESSIONAL PROFILE I have worked as a Freelance Editor & Consultant off and on since 1997 (most recently since 2006). My clients include University of California Press, BookMatters, Capital IQ/McGraw-Hill, Counterpoint, Curatorial Assistance, Inc., Heyday Books, Omnipoint Communications, Crimson Life Sciences, The Gronstedt Group, Soft Skull Press, Stones Throw Records, and the SF SPCA. Yet the bulk of my experience comes from having worked in-house for a small, highly acclaimed nonprofit press, Mercury House, from 1993 through 2005. Freelance Editor/Proofreader/Fact-checker I am an accomplished wordsmith with extensive experience editing and proofreading literary fiction, translation, and nonfiction in a variety of categories: armchair travel, cultural studies, environment & nature, essay anthologies, and film & music criticism. I am familiar with and function well at every step of the production process. I have non-manuscript experience as well. Working in-house I edited, designed, typeset, and proofed all kinds of text: catalog and Web copy, press releases, grants, board minutes, contracts. I'm happy to work on any type of project. I offer— copy editing proofreading fact-checking quick turnaround I am— fluent in The Chicago Manual of Style; proficient in AP style; adaptable to other guides or house styles well versed in diplomatic author relations often available at short-notice for long or short jobs happy to do a sample chapter/project to demonstrate my abilities willing to proof hard copy as well as PDF For more on my approach to editing – including examples of heftier edits — please see the links below. Consultant Having held every position at Mercury House, from volunteer intern to editor to director, I possess a wide range of skills and expertise — virtually everything a small company might require. And as we were a small press during challenging times — the dot-com boom and bust in San Francisco — I am seasoned in stretching dollars and cutting corners without jeopardizing quality standards, schedules, or relationships. Specialties— Articulate Communicator: I developed excellent written and verbal skills within numerous departments and am well versed in everything from promotional materials to Web copy to board meetings. Capable Manager: I deftly juggle complex projects and tight schedules, I possess strong interpersonal skills, and I teach and mentor with enthusiasm and sensitivity. Efficiency Expert: I excel at streamlining systems and processes so as to maintain quality without losing sight of the larger concerns of schedule and budget. PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE Freelance Editor & Consultant, San Francisco, CA, 1997–2002; 2006–present Clients include UC Press, BookMatters, Counterpoint, Soft Skull Press, Curatorial Assistance, Inc., Capital IQ/McGraw-Hill, Heyday Books, Omnipoint Communications, Crimson Life Sciences, The Gronstedt Group, Stones Throw Records, and the SF SPCA. Various Positions, Mercury House, San Francisco, CA 1993–2005 www.mercuryhouse.org Executive Director, 2000–2005 Senior Editor, 1999 Managing Editor, 1995–1998 Assistant Editor, 1994–1995 Editorial Assistant, 1993 Judge, Fiction Grant Panel, Marin Arts Council, San Rafael, CA, 2003 Publisher, De la Tour Saint Rapunza, San Francisco, CA, 1999–present www.loveandloudcolours.com Founded small alternative press; published illustrated lyric book and CD: Love and Loud Colours: Lyrics, Stories, and Fragments, by Edward Ka-Spel (2002). EDUCATION Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA: Bachelor of Arts (AB) English & Comparative Literature Studies Comprehensive Exam: Distinction First Prize for nonfiction, Robert T. Moore/Argonaut Writing Contest Minor: Psychology Goldsmiths College, University of London, London, England Editcetera, Berkeley, CA: Continuing Education Classes/workshops taken include: Developmental Editing, Editing for the Web, Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Usage PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Member, Bay Area Editors’ Forum LINKS My philosophical approach to editing, with three short samples, before & after. My Mercury House portfolio describes many of the books to which I made a significant contribution (mostly editorial work, design, and/or typesetting). My editorial credits page highlights books I’ve copyedited and/or proofread. Michelle Tea wrote an article about my work with Mercury House for her “House Hunter” column in the San Francisco Bay Guardian Lit Section. The Copyediting/Proofreading test I created for screening Mercury House freelancers demonstrates my editorial abilities and standards. Samples of my editorial work on award-winning books: Running Through Fire: How I Survived the Holocaust by Zosia Goldberg, with an introduction by Paul Auster (NEA Heritage & Preservation Series) Wilderness and Razor Wire: A Naturalist’s Observations from Prison by Ken Lamberton The Origin of the World by Pierre Michon, translated by Wyatt Mason LinkedIn profile Rates (general guidelines per the Editorial Freelancers Association) REFERENCES Available upon request. CONTACT kjn [at] sonic [dot] net