I am a professional editor and writer. Previously, I was a senior editor for Health Communications, Inc., a traditional trade book publisher best known for the original Chicken Soup for the Soul series as well as other nonfiction bestsellers.
As a freelance editor and proofreader, I have worked with traditional publishers, self-published authors, and independent book packagers on nonfiction subjects ranging from memoirs to alternative medical treatments to self-help. I have assisted several authors with reality-based novels as well as more traditional fiction genres. I also specialize in helping nonfiction authors polish their book proposals in preparation for querying agents and publishers.
As an editorial specialist, I offer my clients the opportunity to take their work to the next level. I believe in maintaining an author’s unique voice while helping him or her create and polish every sentence to make it the best it can be.
Writers are often too close to their own work to be objective about what they’ve written, and one of my fortés is my ability to home in on writing weaknesses and help writers convey their message in the most powerful way possible—regardless of the subject matter.
Whether helping an author organize ideas before writing begins or during the writing process, fine-tuning details such as spelling, punctuation, syntax, word choice, and organization of ideas, proofreading for errors in a manuscript before or after typesetting, or polishing a book proposal, I work in a collaborative and supportive environment that allows authors to achieve the most professional quality possible in their work.
Would you like to know more about how a professional editor can help?
Whether you’re writing a blog post or article, a book proposal, query letter, or a full book, I’m available by email at Candace@ChangeItUpEditing.com or by phone at (954) 348-1963. Let’s chat soon; I’m here to help!
*****
Here is what Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner, author of Lemons into Limoncello, had to say (and you can read more from other writers in Testimonials):
“She is a true ‘insider’ in the publishing world, and what I love about Candace is her ability to help authors create the best, most polished book possible, with an eye toward both their commercial success and their readers’ perspective—all without diminishing the writer’s unique voice. Candace’s editing and critiquing approach is professional, positive, and right-on in terms of helping both self-published and commercially published authors bring their writing dreams to fruition. Candace is a super-knowledgeable professional, a caring person, and someone who I am now proud to call my friend.”
Let’s talk about how I can help you with your blog, article, short story, book, or book proposal. Contact me today at (954) 348-1963 or at cyjohnson5580 (at) gmail (dot) com.
Wonder how I became a freelance editor?
Listen to my interview on radio talk show Doing What Works.
Awesome. This is good information for me. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Cheers. 🙂
I have bookmarked this page for your contact info. Thanks.
I thought you might be interested to know that the first Writing Advice discussion is up on my blog!
http://thelifeofathinker.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/discussion-1-dont-edit-during-your-first-draft/
Thanks for following our blog Candace! 🙂 Beth
Hi Candace – thanks for visiting and following my blog! Looks as if I can learn a lot from yours, so I’ll visit often. And when I’m ready to publish, I may give you a buzz. : -)
Hi Melanie, thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad you’re finding useful content here. I’d love to give you a no-obligation sample edit when you’re ready.
Hey, thanks! Good to know.
Glad to learn about you Candace. What a great resource you have provided here.
Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth, and I hope to see you often!
Hi Candace,
I don’t know if you accept blog awards, but I chose you as one of my recipients for the Super Sweet Award! If you wish to accept it, please go here: http://imagineerebooks.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/an-unexpected-blog-award/
All the best,
Steve
Congratulations! You have been nominated for the “Wonderful Team Member Award”! More details on my blog!
http://www.thelifeofathinker.wordpress.com
Hey there! Congratulations, you’ve been nominated for two blog awards! All info can be found on my blog:
http://www.thelifeofathinker.wordpress.com
Liam
Glad I stumbled upon your blog, being too close to what you write is something I have come to recognize in myself as of late and… As I am about to finish writing my first novel, I will be looking into the editing services.
I’m glad you found me, Laura, and welcome! I’ve written quite a number of blogs for new-ish authors, and I hope you’ll find them useful as you write and revise your novel. You might start with the articles I posted at http://wp.me/p2IvJd-zw, and if you have any specific questions, I hope you’ll feel free to email me at cyjohnson5580@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for the follow up, I will surely do that.
I love all your tips. Thank you for putting so much helpful information out there. 🙂
My pleasure, Erika, and thanks for stopping by to comment!
Hi Candace, Hope you’re well. I see that you now have your own business. Congratulations! I have just finished writing a book with my friend Rita Battat Silverman on replacement children— a topic that effects a lot more people than one might think. Anyway, I wondered if I could pick your brain about what publishing houses to send this to. I remember how supportive you were of my book when at HCI. Since then I’ve self- published and that may be the way we go but I wanted to know if I can contact you for a brief conversation by email or phone. Best, Abigail
Hi Candace, we’re following each other on Twitter and I’m now following your blog as I’d like to keep you in mind for editing requirements when they arise.
Bianca.
Thanks, Bianca. I’d love to talk to you about how I can help, so feel free to email me at cyjohnson5580@gmail.com when you’re ready.
I have been contemplating writing a book, probably non-fiction autobiography of a sort, so I will be in touch with you in the future. May I have your email so I can let you know when I will need your services. Thank you very much.
Hi Kenneth,
I am always happy to discuss how I might help you at any point of your writing journey. Feel free to email me at cyjohnson5580@gmail.com whenever you’re ready. And I invite you to scroll back through my older blog posts and my Facebook page for articles and links to information you might find helpful, too. Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to connecting soon!