ABOUT MAGIC WORDS
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
You’ve reached “The End.” Those long nights, the bottomless cups of coffee, so many rewrites and revisions and read-throughs finally behind you. You’ve done it, magic writer. You’ve spun words into a finished book, and you’re ready to put your tale into the eager hands (and e-readers) of your awaiting fans.
ONE THAT WILL IMMERSE THEM IN YOUR WORLD
INTO THE WEE HOURS OF MANY NIGHTS
But readers can be tough. (I know you’ve seen those reviews. Yikes!) They have high standards for writing craft and will catch every goblin and troll lurking in your pages. Your self-published book should be just as good as anything Tor or PRH releases to satisfy those expectations.
Never fear! That’s where I come in, waving my trusty red pen—er, keyboard—to help.
I’m Shawna, and my job is to walk with indie authors like you on the journey to publish your book. I ease your manuscript over the editing potholes in the path so you can put your final product out there with confidence.
I read my first words when I was two. By five, I was leading reading circle in Mrs. Cook’s kindergarten class. At nine, I wrote my first action-adventure story about a girl who shipwrecks on an island in Alaska (complete with a custom-designed Strawberry Shortcake–themed cover, courtesy of my mother).
The one scribbling poems and stories in her math notebook. The English teacher’s favorite student.
Degrees in literature and communications set me on a winding career path: high school English teacher, communications specialist, web designer.
Through it all, I read: scary stories that kept me up into the wee hours and thrilling fantasies that made me long for a world where magic was real. (Pssst, it is.)
Through it all, I wrote: stories, novels, poems. I won NaNo. I ate, drank, and breathed words.
Armed with a shiny certificate in editing from the University of Chicago, I hung out my shingle, sharpened my pencil (well, warmed up my keyboard, really), and invited word-lovers like you to join me on this journey.
Certificate in Editing, University of Chicago
BS English, Missouri State University
MA Communications, Lindenwood University
Copyediting Fiction, Editorial Freelancers’ Association
Intermediate Copyediting, EFA
Copyediting Practicum, Editorial Arts Academy
Intermediate Line Editing for Fiction, EFA
Developmental Editing, Editorial Arts Academy
Editing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Jennifer Lawler
Freelance editor for trad publishers (Tor/Nightfire)
5+ years editing for indie authors and publishers
40+ years writing novels, short stories, poetry
30+ years studying literature and writing craft
Expert in LOTR and Star Trek trivia
Highly skilled at being owned by cats
Listen intently to your writing dreams
Focus on kindness and support
Leave a light footprint on your words
Offer transparent pricing & processes
Create editing magic!
Ready to go on this journey?
Are you taking the DIY scenic route? I have gifts for your solo editing journey.
From critiques to tweaks, I have a full slate of services to give your manuscript the royal touch.