Thomas M
Baltimore, United States
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
MBA in International Business & Public Administration
Columbia University
Favorite referencing style
My preference is the APA style because it closely matches the instructions of my high school English teachers. I also find it to be the most logical. I use it as a point of comparison with other style guides.
Why I became an editor
I have a keen eye for detail, and I truly enjoy mastering the finer points of language, grammar, and all forms of reading and writing. I am a resident of the Baltimore-Washington metro area and I maintain residences in Canada and Austria. I also specialize in English for non-native speakers, and German/French to English translations.
Background and experience
I retired in 2018 after 25 years with the US Environmental Protection Agency. Previously, I was with the US Peace Corps in Washington DC and in Africa (Senegal, Chad). I currently provide editing and proofreading services for authors, university staff/students, and filmmakers. My specialties include English for non-native speakers and translations from German/French to English.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I have a passion for mastering the finer points of language, grammar, and all forms of reading/writing. I work with the standard style guides, including APA and CMoS.
Favorite book:
What first comes to mind is Willa Cather's My Antonia. It was my mother's favorite novel, too. I first read it in high school, and I absorbed it so differently when I re-read it years later.
Hobbies:
My hobbies include working out at the gym, reading (fiction and non-fiction), bicycle riding, and taking yoga classes.
Editing tips:
I thumb through the document first to get a feel for what it's all about. I want to know right away what sort of goal the writer is pursuing, like obtaining a PhD or getting accepted by a publisher.
