Book editingfor authors of memoir and creative nonfiction
You’ve written a book – perhaps a memoir, a personal essay, or a nonfiction book on a subject you care about. You’ve poured yourself into this project, and now you need help to make it ready for readers.
An experienced editor and editing instructor, I offer a deeply attentive and impartial reading of your manuscript and specific suggestions for revision.
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Choosing an editor who will be the right fit for you and your book can be a daunting task. I hired Ellie for my book Side Effects: A Nurse’s Journey Through Secondary Traumatic Stress because of her experience in editing nonfiction, and her interest in memoir. From the start, I felt that Ellie really understood the goal of my book and most importantly the tone I was hoping to achieve. Her insightful comments were always helpful and she was a pleasure to work with. —Dorothy B. Wright, Canada
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It has been my good fortune to have Ellie Barton as copy editor. Her work harmonizes aspects of form and style, bringing them into conformity with the publisher’s expectations, but more importantly in my view, Ellie offers comments on awkward wording, instances of heavy overstatement, and the points at which the text is quite simply unclear. Her editing has made my Reading Alice Munro with Jacques Lacan a better book. —Jennifer Murray, University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
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Why I love working with writers
I was a writer before I became an editor. I started out as a reporter for The Whig-Standard, and moved on to work as a communications officer for nonprofit organizations in Kingston, Ontario. I've written news stories, feature articles, profiles, book reviews, speeches, annual reports, and more. I also wrote two creative nonfiction books. They were "just" local histories, but they were also good stories about big personalities trying to work together for a cause bigger than themselves.
So I know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night with a sentence running through my brain that I think is so good I have to scrawl it down. (In the cold light of morning, it's never as brilliant as it sounded!) I understand the soul-wringing effort of writing. I empathize with your creative dilemmas and admire your perseverance. And I'm delighted to play a part in your success.
So I know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night with a sentence running through my brain that I think is so good I have to scrawl it down. (In the cold light of morning, it's never as brilliant as it sounded!) I understand the soul-wringing effort of writing. I empathize with your creative dilemmas and admire your perseverance. And I'm delighted to play a part in your success.
Ellen Barton. Driven by a Dream: The Story of Ongwanada. Quarry Press, 1998
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Ellen Barton. Purpose & Passion: Kingston General Hospital Auxiliary, 1905-2005
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The skills and training I bring
In what feels like a former life, I got a degree in English and history from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and a Master's in English from Queen's University. I don't remember most of what I've read! But one core skill has only improved with practice -- how to read deeply and perceptively.
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When I graduated, only two careers occurred to me -- journalist or teacher. I got a teaching degree then worked as a writer. Fifteen years later, I needed a change. But what else could I do? Somehow, I thought of editing. I took copy editing at Ryerson in 2004, and I was hooked. I'd stumbled upon what I'd wanted to do all along! It took me a decade to finish the Certificate in Publishing, but I did it. I also read oodles of books on writing fiction and creative nonfiction, joined professional organizations, and attended a ton of seminars, webinars, and conferences.
What I love about editing is that I'm always learning. I learn from you, and you from me.
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