Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Debbie MacPherson
Freelance Book Editor in West Chicago, IL
Specializing in line editing, copyediting, and proofreading
I have eighteen years of experience, most recently copyediting or proofreading over one hundred books for Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Tyndale House Publishers, and self-publishing authors.
My career path began in 1993 with five years of full-time magazine editorial work. After that, I freelanced for five years before taking a break to raise three children. In 2015, I began again as a freelancer, copyediting and proofreading for book publishers and individuals.
I specialize in line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Most manuscripts I work on have already been developmentally edited and are ready for my more detailed work. For self-publishing authors, I typically combine line editing and copyediting. Line editing addresses creative content, writing style, and language use at the sentence and paragraph levels. Copyediting is more mechanical, making sure the writing is in accordance with industry standards. I also offer proofreading services, the next step after copyediting and the last step before publication.
My approach to editing:
I work with your reader in mind by smoothing out the wrinkles. I don’t want them tripping over clunky sentences, pausing at confusing words, or being turned off by subtle mistakes in grammar. I want them to be so caught up in your story that they forget they’re even reading. I pay attention to the author’s voice. This last stage of editing is sometimes described as “invisible.” You may not even notice when I’ve helped you sound even more like you!
Each stage of the editing process is about making the author and any prior editors look their best. Each editor who works on a manuscript will continue to sharpen the book. I aim to take your writing to the next level, using the experience I’ve gained over years of doing just that for many others. I enjoy the challenge. And even more, I enjoy getting to know my clients and their stories.
I hope you’ll email me to see if your project is a good fit for my skills. And, even more importantly, whether you will entrust me with your words. Thank you!
West Chicago, IL
US
Years in the field: 18
Years freelancing: 13
Debbie MacPherson
Freelance Book Editor in West Chicago, IL
Specializing in line editing, copyediting, and proofreading
I have eighteen years of experience, most recently copyediting or proofreading over one hundred books for Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Tyndale House Publishers, and self-publishing authors.
My career path began in 1993 with five years of full-time magazine editorial work. After that, I freelanced for five years before taking a break to raise three children. In 2015, I began again as a freelancer, copyediting and proofreading for book publishers and individuals.
I specialize in line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Most manuscripts I work on have already been developmentally edited and are ready for my more detailed work. For self-publishing authors, I typically combine line editing and copyediting. Line editing addresses creative content, writing style, and language use at the sentence and paragraph levels. Copyediting is more mechanical, making sure the writing is in accordance with industry standards. I also offer proofreading services, the next step after copyediting and the last step before publication.
My approach to editing:
I work with your reader in mind by smoothing out the wrinkles. I don’t want them tripping over clunky sentences, pausing at confusing words, or being turned off by subtle mistakes in grammar. I want them to be so caught up in your story that they forget they’re even reading. I pay attention to the author’s voice. This last stage of editing is sometimes described as “invisible.” You may not even notice when I’ve helped you sound even more like you!
Each stage of the editing process is about making the author and any prior editors look their best. Each editor who works on a manuscript will continue to sharpen the book. I aim to take your writing to the next level, using the experience I’ve gained over years of doing just that for many others. I enjoy the challenge. And even more, I enjoy getting to know my clients and their stories.
I hope you’ll email me to see if your project is a good fit for my skills. And, even more importantly, whether you will entrust me with your words. Thank you!
