Overview I have more than fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry that includes copywriting, copyediting, design and layout, proofreading, and writing. This experience has been in newspaper, magazine, and book publishing.
Major Accomplishment My major accomplishment has been the ability to carry on my career independently as a freelance publisher while raising three daughters. The ability to run a home office and a family is one that requires extreme organization, patience, careful scheduling, and an uncanny ability to multi-task.
Work Experience
Owner, Pietrzyk Publishing, Durham, CT; Aug. 1998–Present
Under the auspices of my company, I act as freelance writer, copy editor, project editor, proofreader, text corrector, data enterer, and project manager for a variety of clients. Some of the duties of these jobs include: copy editing raw manuscripts for content as well as grammar, working with authors to identify weak areas of their work and directing them on how to make it stronger and more readable, working with tough deadlines and not sacrificing quality, and proofing final edits prior to publication to ensure top-notch work.
Clients include: The Globe Pequot Press, Lyons Press, The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Freeborn Design, Two Dot Publications, and Tell Me Press.
Additionally, I have written a travel guide, Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Souvenir Guide, 9th edition,published in September 2011; worked as project editor on The Connecticut Walk Book: East, for which I managed the complete overhaul of this long-standing title and oversaw all new text revisions; and Short Nature Walks: Connecticut, for which I rewrote the seventh edition and updated all text, photos, and maps.
Editorial Assistant to Associate Editor, The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT; Sept. 1994–May 1998
Duties for these jobs included but were not limited to the following:
• Ensuring manuscripts met company standards and fulfilled agreement of authors' contracts • Working closely with the Acquisition Editor to weed through the "slush pile" and select possible manuscripts for publication. Responsible for sending out all rejection letters and following up with writers for potential new titles • Performing structural and line edits as necessary • Hiring and managing a staff of freelance copy editors, proofreaders, and project managers • Handling all aspects of editorial work for approximately thirty titles a year, including but not limited to reviewing and approving initial manuscript submission from authors, hiring freelancers, checking their work,communicating with authors to resolve queries, reviewing page proofs, sending pages to proofreaders and authors, resolving any remaining queries and/or problems, following book through production, and reviewing and approving bluelines, writing cover copy, and presenting titles at twice-yearly sales conferences in New York City for country-wide sales reps • Contributing and implementing ideas and perspectives on company systems and processes to increase efficiency and save money • Managing editorial assistant and assistant editors • Overseeing company copyright program
Data input, Glastonbury Cititzen/Rivereast Bulletin, Glastonbury, CT; 1993–1994 Duties at this office of two weekly newspapers included the input and editing of all display and classified ad copy as well as some layout of display ads.
Assistant Editor, Durham Gazette, Shoreline Newspapers, Durham, CT; 1992–1993 Duties at this weekly newspaper included news coverage of Durham, Middlefield, and Rockfall, Connecticut. Along with the managing editor, I decided what stories received coverage and by whom, where and in what newspaper those stories appeared, wrote editorials, accepted and edited Letters to the Editor, managed staff of freelance writers and photographers, created the community calendar and other weekly columns, edited all material that appeared in the paper, and oversaw weekly layout of text.
Display Advertising Office Assistant, Middletown Press, Middletown, CT; May 1992–Sept. 1992 Duties of this entry-level position included daily advertising layout, some ad layout, some copy editing, and general office responsibilities.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in English, May 1992, University of Connecticut
Almost a Masters Degree in English, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT Completed all necessary work for a Master's Degree except for my thesis. Attended classes from 1993 to 1999, then life and children took priority and I never finished. Maybe someday I'll claim that degree.
Overview
For several years, I have been editing and writing in some capacity. My editing experience has included various scientific works along with standard fiction and nonfiction books. Outside of the research arena, most of my work has been freelance copyediting, proofreading, and some book formatting.
Major Accomplishment
I have managed to steer my career into the direction that I desire, which is a successful work-from-home venture that will allow me to not only give the personal editing service I have been wanting to give, but also to be able work and still take care of my family...when the time comes.
• Act as project manager for multiple projects at once, including the assignment of and direction for the editing of over a dozen editors, and working closely with authors to integrate changes and create a clean and polished book ready for publication • Edit fiction/nonfiction manuscripts using the Chicago Manual of Style and working closely with authors to ensure accuracy • Give critiques/professional review of manuscripts
Writing
• Completed three TV sitcom scripts (2006-2007) • Published two short stories: Concerning Faith and Patience (2006) • Completed children's book, still to be published (2009) • Currently working on fictional novella
Clients include: Eloquent Books, First Editing, Pietrzyk Publishing, Curtiss Robinson, and others.
Education
Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, May 1996, San Jose State University
