My editing process

I collaborate with the author on suggestions.

From 72 Easy Tricks for Better Virtual Meetings by Kristin Leydig Bryant. Used with author permission.

About me

When I was a college English major, my favorite professor said, “Grammar is sexist. We have to live with it.” I didn’t agree with her. I’ve been challenging patriarchal assumptions ever since. Those ideas were created—deliberately—and they can be undone. It’s an approach I bring to editing any topic.

My hobbies include embroidery stitch-ups with badass women, board games, walking, and book club (also with badass women). I like penguins, and I follow scientists who study birds. I do the crossword daily. I like British comedians and quiz shows. I’m married to an extraordinary man, and together we have two extraordinary sons. All of them call out racism, sexism, bullying, and other bad behaviors.

I earned a professional certificate in editing from University of Chicago and have thoroughly studied The Chicago Manual of Style with expert instructors. I also use APA 7th edition, which has a thoughtful section on bias-free language. Before becoming an editor, I worked in progressively higher positions of responsibility at two state public health departments and two national public health associations, all of which involved writing and editing grants and publications.

Language matters. How we represent people leads to beliefs about them. We can consciously rid ourselves of words and phrases that no longer work for us.

Let’s upend the patriarchy.