Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Abigail McLaughlin
Abbey McLaughlin Editorial Services
Hey there! Thanks for visiting my profile. I’m Abbey, and I’m an editor (duh).
If you want the elevator pitch, here it is:
I’m an open-minded, Christian editor with specialized skills in Christian and inspirational nonfiction, and I’m interested in growing my fiction portfolio, so I’m offering discounts for fiction books for any service! I have been an editor for five years and a proofreader for eight years, I have a Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing, and I’m a member of the Editorial Freelance Association and ACES Society for Editors (which is code for “I like to grow as an editor by learning from other pros”).
.
Okay, here’s the unabridged version of Abbey:
In 2017, I graduated magna cum laude from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in English and Creative Writing, but even before then, I was editing! I’m so grateful to live in the time of the Internet where I can meet and connect with people around the country and world!
.
I’ve been an editor for eight years, working on a wide range of content. My first “gig” was a freelance position with Pique Publishing, Inc., working on magazines and blog posts while finishing college. Then I started as an academic editor, copy editing and proofreading magazines and textbooks for Routledge (Taylor & Francis), the Institute of Real Estate Management, and the Utility Arborist Association. During my time at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I opened up some evening time to edit as a freelancer again, branching out to work on memoirs, Christian living, and fiction pieces for self-publishing entrepreneurs.
.
For two years, I served as an editor for Proverbs 31 Ministries, specifically helping with their devotions and First 5 Bible studies. I worked one-on-one and as a team with writers and other staff members to create great content for tens of thousands of readers. A family emergency pulled me away from this amazing job, but freelancing has been my way to keep helping writers spread God’s Word and hope.
.
My primary style guide expertise is in AP Style, Chicago Manual of Style, Oxford (Hart’s) Style, and the Christian Manual of Style. Adobe Acrobat, In-Design, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Apple Pages are also heavily used in my day-to-day, as well as Dropbox, OneDrive, Basecamp, and Trello. I attend professional development seminars (thank you ACES and EFA!), work with mentors, and love to learn new skills.
.
I love every stage of the editing process. I think it’s easier to tell if writers/editors will work well together over the phone, so feel free to request a phone conversation! I’ll tell you right now, I welcome questions, provide honest feedback, am willing to help with the technology side of editing if needed, and am extremely open-minded.
.
Just like how I want to work with clients who are serious about their books, you probably want to know I’m serious about yours! It’s never my intention to mislead you on my skillset or misrepresent the services I offer. That’s why I offer FREE sample edits of up to 1,000 words and one FREE, 30-minute phone consultation.
.
I genuinely want your book to succeed. The book is a reflection of your amazing ideas, but also my editing skills, so I obviously take that seriously! (Sorry, I’m a Milennial/GenZ so every other sentence has to end with an exclamation point!)
.
It never hurts to just ask some quick Qs, even if you want a rough price point or more information on what “developmental editing” means!
.
Let’s be honest. We all have flaws too, and I’m not going to try to sell my weaknesses as strengths, so here are my pain points: I do struggle with narcolepsy and chronic migraines, which is probably the “con” of working with me—I answer messages within 24 hours (often sooner), but all meetings have to be scheduled because my resting hours vary. Other than that, I would want you to know/understand that I have some sometimes-surprising policies, like not allowing texting (every rule starts with a worst-case scenario) and I require 20% of the total cost of the project upfront as a nonrefundable retainer of my services. Whew! I hope I didn’t lose you.
.
Future (or Present) Author,
I’m honestly so flattered and honored you read my entire profile. Your time is so valuable, and I know how scary it can be trying to trust someone on the Internet with your personal, hard work. Let’s talk on the phone or message some more so we can become business allies and friends!
GRATEFULLY,
Abbey
Visit my website to learn more about all the services I provide and receive a free quote and/or consultation phone call!
For my portfolio and reviews, feel free to visit my Reedsy profile.
Ada, MI
US
Email: abbey@abbeymclaughlin.com
https://www.abbeymclaughlin.com/
More information: View PDF file
Years in the field: 8
Years freelancing: 6
Abigail McLaughlin
Hey there! Thanks for visiting my profile. I’m Abbey, and I’m an editor (duh).
If you want the elevator pitch, here it is:
I’m an open-minded, Christian editor with specialized skills in Christian and inspirational nonfiction, and I’m interested in growing my fiction portfolio, so I’m offering discounts for fiction books for any service! I have been an editor for five years and a proofreader for eight years, I have a Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing, and I’m a member of the Editorial Freelance Association and ACES Society for Editors (which is code for “I like to grow as an editor by learning from other pros”).
.
Okay, here’s the unabridged version of Abbey:
In 2017, I graduated magna cum laude from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in English and Creative Writing, but even before then, I was editing! I’m so grateful to live in the time of the Internet where I can meet and connect with people around the country and world!
.
I’ve been an editor for eight years, working on a wide range of content. My first “gig” was a freelance position with Pique Publishing, Inc., working on magazines and blog posts while finishing college. Then I started as an academic editor, copy editing and proofreading magazines and textbooks for Routledge (Taylor & Francis), the Institute of Real Estate Management, and the Utility Arborist Association. During my time at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I opened up some evening time to edit as a freelancer again, branching out to work on memoirs, Christian living, and fiction pieces for self-publishing entrepreneurs.
.
For two years, I served as an editor for Proverbs 31 Ministries, specifically helping with their devotions and First 5 Bible studies. I worked one-on-one and as a team with writers and other staff members to create great content for tens of thousands of readers. A family emergency pulled me away from this amazing job, but freelancing has been my way to keep helping writers spread God’s Word and hope.
.
My primary style guide expertise is in AP Style, Chicago Manual of Style, Oxford (Hart’s) Style, and the Christian Manual of Style. Adobe Acrobat, In-Design, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Apple Pages are also heavily used in my day-to-day, as well as Dropbox, OneDrive, Basecamp, and Trello. I attend professional development seminars (thank you ACES and EFA!), work with mentors, and love to learn new skills.
.
I love every stage of the editing process. I think it’s easier to tell if writers/editors will work well together over the phone, so feel free to request a phone conversation! I’ll tell you right now, I welcome questions, provide honest feedback, am willing to help with the technology side of editing if needed, and am extremely open-minded.
.
Just like how I want to work with clients who are serious about their books, you probably want to know I’m serious about yours! It’s never my intention to mislead you on my skillset or misrepresent the services I offer. That’s why I offer FREE sample edits of up to 1,000 words and one FREE, 30-minute phone consultation.
.
I genuinely want your book to succeed. The book is a reflection of your amazing ideas, but also my editing skills, so I obviously take that seriously! (Sorry, I’m a Milennial/GenZ so every other sentence has to end with an exclamation point!)
.
It never hurts to just ask some quick Qs, even if you want a rough price point or more information on what “developmental editing” means!
.
Let’s be honest. We all have flaws too, and I’m not going to try to sell my weaknesses as strengths, so here are my pain points: I do struggle with narcolepsy and chronic migraines, which is probably the “con” of working with me—I answer messages within 24 hours (often sooner), but all meetings have to be scheduled because my resting hours vary. Other than that, I would want you to know/understand that I have some sometimes-surprising policies, like not allowing texting (every rule starts with a worst-case scenario) and I require 20% of the total cost of the project upfront as a nonrefundable retainer of my services. Whew! I hope I didn’t lose you.
.
Future (or Present) Author,
I’m honestly so flattered and honored you read my entire profile. Your time is so valuable, and I know how scary it can be trying to trust someone on the Internet with your personal, hard work. Let’s talk on the phone or message some more so we can become business allies and friends!
GRATEFULLY,
Abbey
Visit my website to learn more about all the services I provide and receive a free quote and/or consultation phone call!
For my portfolio and reviews, feel free to visit my Reedsy profile.
