The work I've done
With a background in creative writing, English literature and journalism, I have many years of experience writing and editing in different fields and for varied clients.
Below are some of the books I have worked on. In some cases, I worked with the author from manuscript evaluation through developmental editing, copy editing and back cover copywriting. In other cases, I may have just done a proofread or any combination of an evaluation plus one other form of editing.
Non-fiction — Memoir or biography
Working with authors on memoirs requires a deep dive into our personal motivations for things. It’s an introspective—and sometimes confronting—process.
Non-fiction — Instructional or self-help
This list ranges from history to spirituality and every other way we can learn in between. It’s always fascinating to work on these types of books.
Non-fiction — Travel
I’d love to work on more travel-related stories. There’s a lot to discover in this world . . . about others and ourselves.
Non-Fiction — Instructional and business
It requires quite a lot of expertise to write a business-related book. It’s a pleasure working with such motivated individuals.
Non-Fiction — Essays/prose/poetry
Each of these authors had a unique point of view about their lived experiences, and they chose prose and poetry to express it.
Fiction
I’d love to work on more fiction in my work. I read a lot of it in my free time, and it’s always a pleasure to have insight into the creative minds of fiction authors.
Authors, their books and what they have to say about working with me
At Your Service by Mike Stith
Biography
Description
Some people spend a lifetime looking for their life’s purpose.
Others just know.
Eugene “Gene” Verdu had a calling. From the time he was a child, he knew he was meant to help others by any means possible. At Your Service recounts this universally loved man’s extraordinary life as a teacher and philanthropist.
Services Provided
- Manuscript evaluation
- Developmental editing
- Copy editing
- Back cover copywriting
Manuscript evaluation sample
Developmental edit sample
Copy editing sample
Back cover copywriting sample
In the author’s words
“To Leïta, My sincere appreciation for your important help with making this legacy story come together. My best.”
E is for Maggie by Susan Dagenais
Memoir
Description
E is for Maggie is a memoir about love, adaptation, and the search for happiness. Susan bravely shares her inner thoughts and feelings, mistakes, and the difficult decisions she had to make to ensure her family was as safe and fulfilled as possible.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising children, and caring for her daughter with severe autism in the 1980s and 90s presented challenges that often felt isolating and insurmountable. Susan came to learn: “You have to keep knocking till you get the help you need.” Today, Maggie is a living testimony of love that never gave up.
Services Provided
- Manuscript evaluation
- Developmental edit
Manuscript evaluation sample
Developmental edit sample
In the author’s words
“As a first time, author, this was a very big learning curve for me. I was impressed with the developmental editing and would recommend it to everyone; the suggestions, the feedback were so helpful. I am super happy with the final result of my book E is for Maggie. Friesen Press Personnel were easy to contact and to speak with to immediately problem solve and help me and my editor-friend Jill navigate their site . . . I am honoured to share venues to speak with public with author Dawn Dubé who introduced me to Friesen Press. It’s been a rewarding journey for this 70 year old grandmother. Thank you.”
(Google review)
Closure by Bruce Eberts
Fiction
Description
In 1984, the students at Tear Falls High School in Northern Ontario were terrorized by a group of four bullies who used any means possible to exert control over their peers. Their favorite targets were four best friends-Kevin, Doug, Art, and Nelson-and the abuse was relentless.
Nearly forty years later, the men read in the newspaper that one of their high school bullies has been murdered. Hamilton detective Tim Bennet begins to investigate, uncovering a disturbing detail about the way the victim died. In a matter of months, a second and then a third bully is murdered. Who is executing these men, and why are they leaving such an alarming calling card?
Services Provided
- Copy Editing
- Back cover copy writing
In the author’s words
“Great job! Very thorough and helpful throughout the manuscript! It’s great to have another pair of eyes on the story as I go cross eyed reading it over and over. I incorporated many of your suggestions and sentence rewrites. I have taken particular note of keeping in mind overusing action beats and certain words and phrases and have removed some and will keep this in mind for the next book. I continue to learn as I continue to write and am learning the trade by listening and reading suggestions from the expertise of others. Thanks again for all your help. Appreciate all your insights and great comments. You made Closure a better book!”
They Have No Idea by Barbara Morrisey
Memoir
Description
They Have No Idea: Love and Desperation in Mothering a Child with Severe Autism and Epilepsy, is a powerful account of a mother’s struggle to understand what it means to be a good mother to her child who struggles with both issues. In this book, Barbara Morrisey bravely pulls back the curtain so others might catch a glimpse of what some families with special needs children experience.
Services Provided
- Manuscript evaluation
- Developmental edit
- Copy editing
- Back cover copywriting
Developmental edit sample
Copy editing sample
Back cover copywriting sample
In the author’s words
“It was such a pleasure to work with you. You were so professional, thorough, and a delight to have a face-to-face conversation with. I would highly recommend you as an editor.
I accepted many of the changes as you suggested. I really liked the shortened paragraphs you did throughout and particularly the *** you added in various places to show the beginning of new themes. It looks so much better.
I really liked how you changed some of the sentences. They sounded so much better.”
In the author’s words
“”
Scott Colby
Author of That’s What You Think
In the author’s words
“The Editor is outstanding, thorough, and absolutely phenomenal. I love and appreciate her ideas and suggestions and am more than grateful for all of the concentration it must have taken for her punctuate everything properly, as well as make any needed grammatical changes. She’s a saint. Please thank her for me.”
Dianne Rossol
Author of A Sweet New Season
In the author’s words
“Thank you for your review and response with your letter and the suggested edits. I have gone
through and made most of the changes. Some suggestions were not accepted and I comment on those with this.
I like the change you made to separate Indoor and Outdoor items. I have added a fair bit more explanatory material, as suggested. Hopefully I got it all.”
Eric Kraushaar
Author of Tame Your Home
Manuscript evaluation sample
In the author’s words
“Thank you for reading my manuscript so thoroughly. Your comments were constructive without deleting the parts you disagreed with. I was worried you would throw out the baby with the bathwater.”
Dennis M. Ludwig
Author of Advice to my Son
Manuscript evaluation sample
In the author’s words
“The editor has done an excellent job. Thanks very much.”
Habiba Zaman
Author of Reframing My Worth
In the author’s words
“An author can produce a manuscript but it takes a team to produce a book. Working with the team at Friesen Press was a great experience – very professional but also fun. All my many questions along the way were answered promptly by the publishing specialist. Interactions with the editor were very helpful, and the cover and layout captured just what I had in mind. I am very pleased with the way the book Memories – Short Stories of the Outdoors, turned out.”
Bill Keller
Author of Memories: Short Stories of the Outdoors (Google review)
In the author’s words
Bruce Eberts
Author of Closure
In the author’s words
Bruce Eberts
Author of Closure
Copy editing sample
In the author’s words
Author of
Manuscript evaluation sample
In the author’s words
Author of
Manuscript evaluation sample
Corporate kudos
In the client’s words
“Hands down Leïta is insanely knowledgeable when it comes to proofreading and copy editing. She was someone I knew I could count on, and it was a joy to work with her. I worked with Leita on a year long client project that I was managing, and she was freelancing (2 days a week). Every month was a new cycle, so I did see her work over multiple iterations. She is dependable, efficient, easy to work with, and not once did she delay the project. In fact, through her work commitment if the project was lagging she would help course correct the schedule.
The one thing that stood out to me was Leïta’s depth of knowledge when it comes to grammar, elementary rules, and principles of composition. Initially when the project started Leïta was the French Proofreader. I reviewed her work and she was always spot on, in fact she was also catching things the English Proofreader had missed. In an effort to improve efficiency I discussed with Leïta about also moving her into the Copy Editing role, which she agreed. Bringing her skill to the start of the cycle eliminated most of the weight at the end of the cycle, and lightened the load throughout. I know the Copywriter enjoyed working with Leïta and always praised her work.
It makes a difference when you work with someone that you can trust, is competent, and requires little supervision. Leïta fit this role perfectly, and would be an outstanding addition to any team. I hope our paths cross again some day.”
Nico Primak
Project Manager
In the client’s words
“Leita made quite an impact at Pagemasters North America. During her time here, she was put in many roles and did well in every one. Despite not having a background in layout and design, she learned quickly and became a not only a trusted page editor, but one whose pages often closed early. And while she got very good at layout, she is an incredible editor.
Of course she also brought an incredible inquisitiveness. Leita is the type to leave no stone unturned. That served PMNA well on many occasions. She has an incredible attention to detail and drive for consistency. Her passion for excellence is contagious. It made me work a little harder. It made her colleagues work a little harder.
Leita is also an ideas person. She always had thoughts on how we could get better and more efficient.
She will bring passion and energy to any workplace. On top of being a talented editor, she is just a wonderful and fun presence to have in the office. For anyone looking for all of these traits — and let’s be honest, who isn’t? — I would highly recommend Leita.”
Brad Needham
Assistant Managing Editor @ The Canadian Press
In the client’s words
“I worked with Leita for three years at the Hamilton Spectator’s print production centre. She is an excellent editor and page designer, with an eye for detail and a drive for quality. She has a proven capacity for leadership and will take initiative to help make the overall system around her work better for all, including making excellent recommendations for change but also taking action — in one great example, at her own initiative Leita wrote a design and style document to help her colleagues who were editing and producing pages for the Toronto Star. Leita was a popular team member at the Spectator where she was appreciated for her warmth and friendliness along with her professionalism.”
Andrew Bruce
Night production editor
In the client’s words
“One of my publishing specialists reached out to me today to sing your praises, so I wanted to pass it along:
‘I do also want to note that I have had several authors truly wowed by their editor’s work recently and each time I have checked, Leïta has been on the job, so please pass that along! They are doing phenomenal work that is really benefiting our authors and should know how appreciated they are!’ ”
FriesenPress staff
In the client’s words
“I was very lucky to have found Leita when we were in need of new copy editors at Egypt Independent. Leita is very self-motivated, meticulous and careful in her projects, allowing her to shine in all her work. Having her in our office was a pleasure and a big boost to our work environment. I am so happy to have worked with her.”
Drew Brammer
Manager
In the client’s words
“Leita is a conscientious, caring and meticulous editor, an independent problem solver and a team player; in other words, someone you want on your team as the clock’s ticking toward deadline.”
Raymond Beauchemin
Night production manager