Editor, Proofreader, & Writer
A top-performing independent contractor with fifteen years of writing experience, ten years of experience teaching writing and grammar at the university level, and more than five years of experience editing and proofreading literary journals, book-length works, and academic writing. Methodical, detail-oriented, and deadline driven. Exceptional knowledge of the English language. Familiar with Chicago, MLA, APA, AP, and house styles.
Areas of Expertise
- Developmental Editing
- Copyediting
- Proofreading
- Line Editing
- Academic Editing
- Resume Writing
- LinkedIn Profiles
- Manuscript Critiques
- Microsoft Word
- Adobe Reader
- Submittable
- Nonfiction
- Memoir
- Fiction
- Poetry
Selected Projects
Developmental editor for chapters from Andria Williams’s novel The Longest Night (Random House, 2016)
Developmental editor for Leslie Oh’s memoir Dragons in the Deep (White House Champions of Change Award, 2016)
Developmental editor and copyeditor for Dawn Hogue’s novel A Hollow Bone (Water’s Edge Press, 2017)
Copyeditor and proofreader for Brabender & Chiang LLC’s legal booklet Breaking a Lease in Chicago
Copyeditor and proofreader for Karl Elder’s novel Earth as It Is in Heaven (Pebblebrook Press, 2016)
Copyeditor and proofreader for Mark Zimmermann’s poetry collection Impersonations (Pebblebrook Press, 2015)
Copyeditor and APA Style Editor for Michael Galaviz’s dissertation proposal (University of California Berkeley)
Copyeditor for academic articles and presentations by Tania Morris et al. (Université de Moncton)
Resume and cover letter writer contracted through Monster Resume, JC Resume, & Top Resume
Selected Publications
“As I Am, You Too Shall Be,” Portage Magazine, 2016
“What We Do Here,” Fugue, Summer & Fall 2012
“¿Cómo se Dice?,” Steam Ticket: A Third Coast Review, Spring 2012
“Almost Strangers,” Dos Passos Review, Summer 2011
“Caught” Oyez Review, Spring 2011
“Cheese Queen,” Cadillac Cicatrix, Spring 2009
“Blue Moon,” Sonora Review, Spring 2008
Professional Experience
2015– Present
SIGNE JORGENSON EDITORIAL SERVICES, Sheboygan, WI
Owner
Perform developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and resume and cover letter services for individual and business clients. Edit creative work, academic documents, legal documents, translations, and more. Also work with authors and agents to prepare book manuscripts for self-publication and traditional publication. Offer professional critiques of fiction and nonfiction manuscripts with tangible suggestions for revision.
2012– Present
PEBBLEBROOK PRESS, Sheboygan, WI
Co-Editor In Chief & Nonfiction Editor
Work with an editorial team to select manuscripts for publication. Provide authors with all levels of editorial feedback: developmental editing, copyediting, line editing, proofreading, and design. Handle all press business details, including contract negotiation, marketing, sales, royalty payments, and finance. Maintain website, blog, and social media accounts. Represent the press at professional conferences and literary festivals.
2010– Present
STONEBOAT LITERARY JOURNAL, Sheboygan, WI
Co-Editor In Chief & Nonfiction
Select nonfiction pieces for publication and offer input into fiction, poetry, and art selection. Write personalized rejection letters to strong writers. Copyedit, line edit, and proofread each issue. Manage a team of editors and interns, assigning tasks and setting deadlines. Help to organize fundraisers, public readings, and community events, and represent the journal at professional conferences and literary festivals. Maintain website, blog, and social media accounts.
2008– 2015
LAKELAND COLLEGE, Lakeland, WI
Associate Professor
Taught grammar, composition, creative writing, and critical thinking courses. Hired and trained writing tutors, led a periodic review of the institution’s composition curriculum, chaired the Fine Arts & Convocation Committee, and served on numerous additional committees and task forces. Consistently received strong teaching and academic advising evaluations. Earned tenure in 2014, but position was eliminated in 2015 due to budget cuts.
2005– 2008
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, Anchorage, AK
Adjunct Instructor & Graduate Assistant
Taught technical writing, composition, and creative writing courses. Taught as a graduate assistant under the supervision of a tenured professor during the first year, but was the instructor of record and prepared my own syllabi for the second and third years.
2005– 2008
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, Anchorage, AK
Writing Tutor
Assisted developmental, ESL, composition, and nontraditional students at all stages of the writing process. Conducted individual and group tutoring sessions.
2004– 2005
LITSITE ALASKA, Anchorage, AK
Research Assistant
Worked under Ron Spatz, founding editor of Alaska Quarterly Review, to study the relationship between memory and journal writing on a joint project between LitSite Alaska and the University of Alaska Anchorage Psychology Department.
Education & Training
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing (Nonfiction Emphasis), University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing & World Religions, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI
Professional Affiliations
Member, Freelancers Union
Member, Modern Language Association
Member, Editorial Freelancers Association
Member, Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Member, Council of Literary Magazines & Presses (via Stoneboat)
For a more detailed career overview, visit my LinkedIn profile.