human, reading

Editing that respects your vision, sharpens your work, and moves it forward.

human, reading provides thoughtful and comprehensive editing support to writers working outside the conventions of disciplines, genres, and forms.

• tell me about your project!

Hi! I'm Melissa, the human behind human, reading. “Human, reading” describes what often feels like my natural state. Whether I'm doing editorial work or reading purely for pleasure, reading shapes much of my life. On a broader scale, I understand “human, reading” as the literal end goal of many writing projects: Writers want their work to be read!In my highly interdisciplinary academic career, I have read widely across forms and disciplines. I've spent time with texts on topics ranging from soil science and animism to Latin American colonial history and phenomenology.In fiction and creative writing, I have always been drawn to work that takes risks and knows what it's doing. A love for good arguments, good stories, and good writing has propelled much of my career, and I credit reading widely with sharpening my skills as reader, writer—and thus, editor.I have completed extensive, formalized editing training, receiving a certificate in editing from the University of Chicago, publisher of the most authoritative source on writing, The Chicago Manual of Style.As an editor, I understand my job is to stand fervently on the side of the author and readers. I edit with a quiet, disciplined focus on the text, delivering a manuscript that reads more like itself. It is my aim to provide honest, supportive feedback from a place of genuine understanding of you and your work.

Certificate in Editing, University of ChicagoCollege Textbooks Editorial Intern (Geosciences, Biological Anthropology, and Philosophy), W. W. NortonMA in Political Science, Virginia TechBS in Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University

In academic writing, I primarily work in the humanities and have broad research area familiarity in topics such as political theory, environmental politics, international political economy, indigenous studies, development studies, political theology, and postcolonial theory.In creative writing, I am open to most genres and forms, but am particularly well-versed in speculative fiction, literary fiction, and nature writing. I am especially interested in works moving across or beyond genres.

copyediting
Copyediting involves marking up the manuscript and making technical and mechanical edits in service of clarity, consistency, and correctness. Keen attention is paid to grammar and punctuation balanced with maintaining the style of the piece and the author's voice. A thorough and effective copyedit ensures your writing is distraction-free and the best version of itself.

developmental editing
This is big-picture, structural work. I look at pacing, tone, organization, plot, argument, character development, etc. The goal of developmental editing is to ensure your manuscript is cohesive, structurally sound, and engaging in the ways you want. Developmental editing typically happens before copyediting and proofreading.

proofreading
Proofreading is the final step before publishing. It provides a search for any remaining typos, spelling errors, missing punctuation, and formatting glitches. Typically, proofreading takes place after the manuscript has been typeset.

manuscript review
Similar to a developmental edit, a manuscript review is concerned with big-picture elements and acts as a comprehensive second opinion. Rather than direct comments in the manuscript file, you will receive a comprehensive feedback letter outlining strengths and areas for improvement.