What do CopyEditors Do?
Copyediting is a science of precision where details and consistency matter. A quality copyeditor greatly improves clarity and perfects formatting. I take a methodical approach to ensure consistency of terms and voice, remove errors and grammatical infelicities, and perfect punctuation, mechanics, formatting, and references. Heavier edits entail suggestions for organization, transitions, tone, and strength of argument. I often work with authors whose native language is not English and am well-versed in several formatting styles.
I. copyediting
As the ongoing copyeditor for 8 university press journals (5 with Cambridge University Press, 2 with Penn Press, 1 with Duke University Press), I have copyedited hundreds of academic articles for researchers from all over the world. For each journal article, I do two editorial passes, incorporating the author’s review of queries and edits before finalizing for typesetting.
A) University Press Journals
Since 2021, I have copyedited countless articles for international scholars as the ongoing copyeditor for
Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies – Penn Press (2021–ongoing)
French Historical Studies – Duke University Press (2025–ongoing)
Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies – Penn Press (2025–ongoing)
History in Africa: A Journal of Debates, Sources, and Source Analysis – Cambridge University Press (2020–24)
Nationalities Papers: The Journal of Nationalism and Ethnicity – Cambridge University Press (2021–24)
Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture – Cambridge University Press (2021–24)
B) Journals in french
Revue canadienne de science politique
Cambridge University Press
Revue canadienne du vieillissement / Canadian Journal of Aging
Cambridge University Press
C) ACADEMIC books
The Study of Indigenous Landscape and Seascape Stewardship on the Central California Coast:
The Findings of a Collaborative Eco-Archaeological Investigation,
University of California Archaeological Research Facility Publication Series, University of California – Berkeley
Reflections on Volcanic Glass: Proceedings of the 2021 International Obsidian Conference,
University of California Archaeological Research Facility, University of California – Berkeley
Colonial Legacies in Francophone African Literature:
The School and the Invention of the Bourgeoisie, Lexington
Shipwreck in the Early Modern Hispanic World, Bucknell University Press
Elements of French Deaf Heritage, Gallaudet University Press
Documenting the American Student Abroad:
The Media Cultures of International Education, Rutgers University Press
Asia and Habsburg Spain’s Secrets:
The Making of a National Identity in Early Modern Narrative (forthcoming)
Sting & Religion: The Catholic-Shaped Imagination of a Rock Icon (sections), Cascade Books
Religion in Uniform: A Critique of US Military Chaplaincy (all references), Lexington
D) Books in French
Défi Francophone, a college-level multimedia French textbook, Klett World Languages
Errances et Cohérences dans les Anamorphoses et Trompe-l’œil en France, Peter Lang
E) PhD dissertations
I have coached and done developmental editing for PhD dissertations in art history, photography, film studies,
media/film/sound studies, Romance languages, and history for doctoral students at
Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, UNC – Chapel Hill, and so on.
F) education, non/fiction, art
My copyediting experience includes a vast array of professional content for certification courses, artists, historians, business entities, and entrepreneurs:
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification professional course content (since 2021)
Discovering George Foster Peabody,
local Lake George and Saratoga Springs (NY) history and biography
The Circuitry We Share, fiction, Molly Dunn
Land Art: A Manifesto, art manifesto, Korea/France
Art exhibition booklets / Guggenheim fellowship for international, NYC-based artist
Web content for university departments, artists, musicians, hospitality/food groups, businesses, New York State bridge authority
Teaching / Research / Service Statements for Tenure-Track Professors
Instruction manual for Franklin’s Fortune history board game
Restaurant concepts, executive summaries, letters, resumes, e-newsletters, blog posts, grants, college admission essays, biographies, personal statements
g) memoir
It is a special joy to work hand-in-hand with first-time authors to polish their life stories:
Oy, Oy, the Teacher Is a Goy, Henry Saltzman, Manhattan
Nice Country, America! The Peter Napoli Story: From Sicily to New England, Peter Napoli, Boston
Leaving Ever Since, Marilène Edrei de Botton
II. translation out of french
I have translated books and various substantial content – archives, course content, and turn-of-the-century news articles – out of French for
Mood of the Moment: Gaby Aghion and Chloé, Yale University Press
The Guns of John Moses Browning, Simon & Schuster
Learning to Draw with Zephy, online drawing course from French artists
Manuscript on the Jewish mikveh and Baraïta de-Niddah, published in France chez Brepol
Articles on anthropology, North African studies, religion, education, postcolonial studies, and history
III. translation into french
“ Introduction” in French to Children and Violence Agency, Experience, and Representation in and beyond Armed Conflict, Routledge
What makes a Good Translation?
Good translations honor the voice and manner of speaking within the original text/language and render the same spirit in the translated content.
My work is informed by the theory – and passion – behind faithful, nuanced translations:
IV. indexing
What makes a skilled indexer?
In this day and age, people may think that it is a decent idea to have technology do an index of a book.
However, computer programs are unable to think like a reader and organized topics conceptually.
Quality indexing requires an analytical and detail-oriented mind, familiarity with publishing practices, an objective eye,
and a deep understanding of literature and of which terms readers may look for. I have indexed the following books:
Reflections on Volcanic Glass: Proceedings of the 2021 International Obsidian Conference,
University of California Archaeological Research Facility, University of California – Berkeley
Colonial Legacies in Francophone African Literature: The School and the Invention of the Bourgeoisie, Lexington
Shipwreck in the Early Modern Hispanic World, Bucknell University Press
Documenting the American Student Abroad: The Media Cultures of International Education, Rutgers University Press
Asia and Habsburg Spain’s Secrets: The Making of a National Identity in Early Modern Narrative (forthcoming)
According to the research, showing yourself to be intelligent, warm, and attractive means being a good speller.