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!

Certificate in Editing, University of Chicago (expected April 2026)College Textbooks Editorial Intern (Geosciences, Biological Anthropology, and Philosophy), W. W. NortonMA in Political Science, Virginia TechBS in Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University

Hi! I'm Melissa, the human behind human, reading. “Human, reading” describes what often feels like my natural state. Whether 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 form and discipline. I've spent time with texts on topics ranging from soil science to animism; from Latin American colonial history to phenomenology.In fiction and creative writing, I have always been drawn to work that takes risks and knows what it's doing. 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 both reader and writer—and thus, editor.In April 2026, I will complete my extensive, formalized editing training, receiving a certificate in editing from The University of Chicago, publishers of the most authoritative source on writing, The Chicago Manual of Style.As an editor, I understand my job to be standing fervently on the side of the author and readers. I edit with a quiet and 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.

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 genre.

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, engaging, and structurally sound. 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
Similarly 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 margins of the manuscript, you will receive a comprehensive feedback letter of strengths and areas for improvement.