Specializing in developmental editing
In a word (or two): I'm a critical thinker; analyzing by identifying and solving problems is what I do best. |
Why I'm an editor, and a good one
I am Lenore Hietkamp, a professional editor and writer. I've been freelancing as a writer since 1998 and as an editor since 2000.
After completing an MA in art history at the University of Victoria, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, I lived, worked and breathed as a PhD student. I specialized in the field of art and architectural history at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, USA from 2000 to 2007, when I decided I had to do fulltime what I had been doing on and off for at least 10 years: editing, but editing as if it were my passion, my life's work. I still occasionally write and curate in my academic role.
That academic experience has given me a good understanding of how we humans communicate, which helped me decide to pursue a career as an editor.
Studying art and architectural history is one of those endeavours that forever changes your perspective on life. Because I've spent so many years of my life analyzing art--that ultimate expression of self--and its history, the act of expression has become the equivalent of communication. Analyzing communication and improving it has seeped into my pores. I see connections between text and idea and image that are critical to good writing.
But don't take my word for it, read my clients' testimonies: Client testimonials
Developmental editing
Because of my experience with both graduate and undergraduate student writers, I've developed a keen interest in helping writers develop their ideas. Such development is not always required, though, so with anyone who begins working with me, I work out the level of editing required. I am particularly interested in working with writers for whom English is not their first language.
Ask me to provide a free sample edit of a page of your work.
My editorial experience
Check out my list of projects.
I interned for a year in the editorial department of the University of Washington Press (2002-2003), and for two years I also taught university-level writing for undergraduates through the UW's English department
Since then I have been proofreading and copyediting for the University of Washington Press, Oxford Editing, and private clients.
The name of my business, Heatherfield Editing, derives from a rough translation of my Dutch last name.
Member: Editors Association of Canada; Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island
Copyediting
Copyediting can be light or heavy or somewhere in between, depending on a writer's or a publisher's requirements.
I prefer to do mostly electronic copyediting. Word's Track Changes functions is a tool I've been using for the last five years. It is easy for writers to learn, and I find it has the benefit of allowing me to express myself very clearly.
Proofreading
I am a proofreader extraordinaire! Well, if you find mistakes on ym ebwstie its ecause i'm profing my one txt. Noone can do that well, which is why a proofreader is that invaluable final set of eyes that catches embarrassing spelling mistakes, wrong running feet, missing chapter numbers--all the problems that crop up in the design stage.
Being a good proofreader takes not just a sharp eye but an ability to identify and keep track of patterns and missteps in what might be patterns. I've even been able to identify missing swathes of poetry that had been transcribed from languages I don't know, because together my brain and my sharp eye form a fine honing tool.
Check out my list of proofreading projects with the University of Washington Press. They like my work because I'm fast AND good.
Contact me
Use the @ sign in place of the x for my gmail address: lhietkampxgmail.com