This Is ME

First off, how great is “The Greatest Showman”? I was listening to the soundtrack today, and it’s still bouncing around my head.

Secondly, let me tell you this—I love to read. I’m the youngest of seven children, and I was a woops that came after triplets. All the others had nicely paired off before I came along, so that resulted in me having A LOT of time to myself. I filled that time with lots and lots of reading (and playing with dolls, obviously). I love escaping into a story. I imagined myself in every page. Then I grew up and decided I also loved writing. I started writing for fun in eighth grade. In high school, I discovered I had a knack for editing other people’s papers. Everyone brought their essays to me before they were due so I could help them make them better. One English degree, an endorsement in journalism, and a college editing job later, I turned myself into a person who can’t help but edit whatever I read.

For years, I used my powers to help friends and family with their college essays, web sites, social media posts, etc. Then I had a friend enter the world of self-publishing.

At first, my interest was based on my dreams of becoming a writer. I asked tons of questions and joined lots of author groups. I forced myself to follow through on an idea that I’d been kicking around for years, and I started writing. To my amazement, I actually finished. I had to figure out a lot of things so I could publish my own book. Along the way, I did a lot of beta reading for fellow authors.

Thanks to the aforementioned editing job and the habits that came along with it, I discovered that I couldn’t help but edit as I read other people’s work. I worried it would be annoying, but over time I realized that indie authors needed someone to edit their books, and they didn’t want to have to take out a second mortgage on their house in order to afford all the little things that are needed to get a book ready for publishing. That’s where I come in.

Using the skills I have been developing for decades along with the things I have learned on my own self-publishing journey, I want to help my fellow authors get their books ready for the world. Of course, I am willing to and capable of editing for others, but fiction and self-publishing are my primary focus.

In the future, I will be posting more about myself, my life, and my thoughts along with information I think may be useful to you as you embark or continue on your self-publishing journey.