About - Eclectic Light - Edmonton Editor

I have a solid background in the mechanics of English having had excellent training in the peculiarities of English grammar and usage throughout a career of many years. In addition, what I didn't learn as I studied English, I learned with a study of Latin. (Sequence of tenses, anyone?) Please believe, however, that I believe voice trumps usage and that appropriateness trumps both.

I am experienced as an editor, having copyedited literally hundreds of stories, most in consultation with the writer. As well, I have formal training as a reader--which is really what an editor is, after all.

You will find me logical and methodical. I try not to be a specialist in any subject but English, so I have a knowledge base that ranges from history to language to mathematics to 19th Century warfare to . . . an awful lot more. What I don't know, I will find out.

Highlights

I have

• written and published material as diverse as theatrical makeup and software manuals;
• taught English and Latin for over thirty years;
• written over 100 book-reviews for the Edmonton Journal;
• been a fiction editor for On Spec Magazine and copyedited over 125 stories;
• experience with editing long (i.e., over 100,000 words) fiction;
• edited work both by established writers and by writers being published for the first time.

Currently, I work as

• editor of news&views magazine, an all-colour fifty-page magazine for retirees, with a circulation of over 15,000, and
• copyeditor for ACUA Vitae, a Ukrainian cultural magazine.

Having completed a substantive edit for a science-fiction novel, I am now editing a historical novel.

As far as the 'eclectic' in 'eclectic light, I offer

• a solid knowledge of and experience with grammar and style, including historical constructs;
• knowledge from coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry, psychology, English, Latin and criminology;
• knowledge of live theatre, with thirty years of experience as a theatrical makeup sessional instructor;
• knowledge of lab techniques, practical physics, civil engineering and construction having worked in a materials testing laboratory for nearly ten years;
• writing experience in both instructional and technical manuals, as well as reviews and fiction;
• experience acting in and producing radio drama; and
• a lifetime of extensive reading of both fact and fiction of all kinds.