Rachael S
Kirkland, United States
“Polishing the page with precision.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA (Hons) in Anthropology
University of Otago
1998–2001
MA in Anthropology
University of Otago
2001–2003
Favorite referencing style
APA is my favorite style, as I like to keep things simple.
Why I became an editor
My lifelong love of words and study has led me down many different and exciting learning paths. At university, I studied the social sciences, including English and philosophy. I later went on to work as a researcher and writer of social policy. While raising my three children and living abroad in Europe, I took courses on writing for the web and creative writing. I also published articles about parenting. Proofreading seemed to be the next obvious step in my career.
Background and experience
I worked as an anthropology tutor for the University of Otago, a policy writer for the New Zealand government, a guest web content writer for Family Matters in Switzerland, and a web content writer and photographer for Taste Affair, a food blog.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I enjoy the challenge that proofreading poses and the wide range of subjects I am exposed to in the process. Proofreading forces me to slow down and pay attention to each sentence, word, and symbol. I find it immensely satisfying to correct errors and enhance the clarity of a client's work, and I enjoy a great sense of pride when I return a polished product.
Favorite book:
Gosh it's hard to choose just one book! But my all time favorite book must be the epic Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
Hobbies:
When I'm not proofreading, I’m completing the 1,001 tasks required of busy mothers! I also love to walk my cavapoodle, practice yoga, and listen to podcasts or read outside in the sun.
Editing tips:
When I first open a document, I like to read it once through entirely before making any edits. This gives me a sense of the topic, style, and tone of the writing.