Letter from the editor

From a very young age, I was obsessed with the power of language—more specifically, the power of clear and effective communication. I delight in the worlds of fiction and fantasy; I am constantly amazed at the beauty of the fact that such fluidity and freedom of expression can be achieved with symbols on a page. At the same time, I revel in the near-mathematical precision of the mechanics of writing.

For much of my life, I lacked a good outlet for my uncontrollable urges to correct text. The more I learned about the rules and guidelines of writing, the more I saw text all around me that was in desperate need of my help. Posters, commercials, billboards, text messages, emails, essays... Comma splices, typos, and dangling modifiers were everywhere! All I wanted was to promote the power and clarity of the written word, to rescue people from potential embarrassment and misunderstandings. I eventually learned when to hold my tongue and when to speak up, but I will admit to committing a few acts of grammar vigilantism when it all got to be too much to handle.

Copyediting truly is my calling. It requires a precise mix of extreme detail-orientation and artistry; few things make me happier than clean, correct text.

“Melody has the sensibility of a lifelong reader, the eagle eye of an experienced editor, and a genuine enthusiasm for language and style. She is also a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Melody as a copy editor and proofreader.”

—Midge Raymond, Ashland Creek Press