Editing
I serve business, academic, and creative writers. Sure, I love books. They have good souls. They change people's lives every day. But I also think proposals, websites, dissertations, and training materials are cool. After 20+ years of editing, I still get chills from a good report, brochure, or user guide. 

Think about what kind of editing you want or contact me to discuss your options. As a rule of thumb, you'll choose from three types of editing, listed below from left to right in the order in which they occur in your development timeline.* If you'd like to receive a sample of the type of review you'll receive, you may want to choose a sample edit. Contact me for a $20 sample edit of 1,000 words or 1 hour of work (whichever takes me longer).
  • CONTENT EDITING
  • COPY EDITING
  • PROOFREADING
<
>
Your piece is taking shape, but it needs
  • extensive rewriting or restructuring,
  • considerable fact-checking, or
  • broad project management.

Content editing includes the elements of copyediting and sometimes copy writing. Content editing requires more in-depth intervention in continuity, structure, and flow. For these reasons, it is often referred to as developmental editing.

You typically use content editing early in the writing process or if you reach a roadblock. In most cases, you will need a copy editor later in the development process, even if you employ a content editor early on. 
Copy editing is what most people think of when they hear the word "editing." At the point you engage a copy editor, you generally feel good about your piece's content. For the most part, you know what you want to say and how to say it. As your editor, I help you with the four Cs:
  • Correctness – Check basic facts. Make sure spelling, punctuation, and grammar adhere to style and usage guides. Note where any citations or reprint permissions may be needed.
  • Consistency – Faithfully apply the defined style. Match up related elements, such as charts, illustrations, and their in-text cross-references.
  • Clarity – Ensure each idea is stated as simply as possible.
  • Coherence – Achieve a compelling and logical flow.**

If you are professionally publishing your piece, you may want to also hire a proofreader later in the process, after a copy editor.
The concept of proofreading has evolved over the last few decades as desktop publishing has gained prominence. For many pieces, proofreading is synonymous with light copyediting and may occur before a writer signs off on the content. However, in the strictest sense, proofreading is a review of a formal proof. You have finished writing and signed off on the content. A designer or typesetter generates a proof for one last check before submitting your piece to a professional printer.

Either way, as your proofreader, I
  • correct surface errors, such as grammar or spelling, and
  • ensure consistency. Since proofs are usually one of the few opportunities to see everything put together—words, images, tables, references, etc.—I can check for an integrated, cohesive design and consistent styles. 

Writing
Let's talk about your writing needs. I'm a seasoned writer for business reports and proposals, web pages, social media, event and training materials, and more. And I've worked for private corporations, the federal government, nonprofits, and higher education. I'd love to help you write clear, compelling content that delivers the precise message your audience needs to read.

Design
As with editing, Horizon26 offers design services to business, academic, and creative writers. My focus is on "document design," by which I mean the structure and vibe of the words on the page as created by fonts, headings, footers, charts, icons, and more. Document design goes hand in hand with graphic design. I rely on years of design experience, plus a great network of other talented artists and makers, to meet your every document or graphic design need. If I can't make what you want, I probably know someone who can!  

Contact me about designs for your piece. The design process includes three phases, listed below from left to right in the general order in which they occur. 
  • CONSULTATION
  • INITIAL DESIGN
  • DEVELOPMENT
<
>
Think of this as brainstorming. In the consultation phase, we discuss your piece’s purpose, key message, audience, call to action, ideal communication channel, and measure of success. There may be a few of each. 

We also discuss your budget and timeline and define a project plan that fits your parameters.
During the initial design stage, I mock up a few options that I hope will get us close to your vision of the perfect piece. We use these mock-ups as visual aids to spark more targeted brainstorming.
 
The initial design phase can include a good deal of back-and-forth, depending on how involved you want to be in the creative process​. We collaborate to refine your design in a way that satisfies your needs while remaining mindful of your time and budget constraints.
This phase is the final one in the design process. After you have signed off on your preferred mock-up, I develop an array of assets:
  • Document elements – Headers, footers, headings, tables, charts, footnotes, etc.
  • Graphic elements – Images, illustrations, icons, web assets, animations, videos, soundtracks, etc.
 
I use these assets to build your finished piece. I provide proofs for your approval, adjust as needed, and then submit the final file formats necessary to publish or otherwise distribute your piece.
* The three types of editing listed on this page are by no means set in stone. Various writers, publishers, and editors talk about editing differently, and it's sometimes difficult to fit every piece into a distinct pigeonhole. Still, I find it's helpful to offer these editing types as a framework for our discussions. If you aren't sure what you need, never fear! We'll figure it out together.

** Many thanks to Amy Einsohn, who so brilliantly explains the four Cs—correctness, consistency, clarity, and coherence—in her book The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications.