Jessie L
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
“Your words, just shinier.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA English
Northern Arizona University
2010–2014
Favorite referencing style
I'll always have a soft spot for MLA, which my high school English teacher ensured was absolutely drilled into my brain!
Why I became an editor
After graduating university with an eclectic handful of certifications, I began my career as a blog content and social media writer. I had the privilege of writing for an equally eclectic variety of industries, including outdoor recreation, telecom, mental health, and digital marketing. I especially loved the challenge of writing for industries that I knew little about. It taught me how to produce highly accurate and natural-sounding writing regardless of the topic.
I later studied copywriting and began writing website copy for online businesses. But it wasn’t until I became a marketing manager at a software company that I got my first real taste of editing. It was love at first typo.
I began working as a freelance editor in 2018. Editing is my dream job, and I feel so lucky to be able to put my perfectionist brain to practical use while helping others grow as writers and communicators.
Background and experience
I have the following experience:
Freelance writer, editor, and writing coach
2015–present
Marketing manager at a software company
2015–2016
Content marketing specialist at one of Arizona's top advertising agencies
2013–2015
Why I love proofreading and editing
From years of being an avid reader and writer, I've developed a passion for communication. I see editing as more than just a job — it's an opportunity to help individuals become more effective communicators. While I love digging into different kinds of writing, I especially enjoy editing marketing content, as that's what I have been focused on for the majority of my career.
Favorite book:
Oh, that's like choosing a favorite child! But I'd have to say I'm currently loving The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. I never grew out of my love for fairy tales, and I don't plan to.
Hobbies:
When I'm not reviewing others' writing, I'm usually writing for my own blog, making videos for YouTube, or sewing costumes for my next comic-con.
Editing tips:
I find it incredibly effective to proofread in different fonts. I'll do one pass in the original font and then make a copy of the document with the whole thing in Comic Sans. It sounds silly, but those bubbly letters make it feel like you're reading a brand new document, and different errors stand out as a result.
