Nadine Autumn

Headline

Accomplished editor, versatile communicator

Biography

I'm an award-winning writer and editor with experience in newspapers and technical writing. I'm also a former elementary school teacher whose dedication to excellent writing built skills in young people. I've raised two sons, now college students, and spent many hours on sidelines of soccer games in several states.

I love being on the any type of water—ocean, lake, river. I've visited Europe, South America, Central America, Mexico and a majority of the United States. I now live in Durham, N.C., with. my husband and two dogs.

Previous experience, degrees, and qualifications

I'm a detail-oriented and self-motivated editor with over 15 years of experience delivering high-quality editing, writing, and proofreading. I've also been a classroom teacher and have written and edited academic curriculum. I have exceptional communication skills and strong interpersonal skills that help build relationships. I enjoy meeting people and I've worked successfully with writers and editors from many backgrounds.

Certifications include:
-- Book Editing
-- General Proofreading Theory and Practice
-- Introduction to Google Search Engine Optimization
-- Technical Writing
-- Elementary Education (North Carolina)
-- Environmental Education (North Carolina).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Teacher – Central Park School for Children
Durham, NC, July 2008 – June 2023
— Developed creative curriculum and delivered instruction for fourth-graders in a project-based urban Title I charter school
— Consistently exceeded state standards on annual end-of-grade testing
— Collaborated with education professionals and others to ensure student success
— Completed extensive, in-depth training in racial equity
— Used Google Suites to collaborate with colleagues and administrators

Technical Writer – Duke University Office of Information Technology
Durham, NC, July 2006 – June 2007
— Collaborated with various teams to ensure accuracy of all data during website rollover
— Researched and validated accuracy of more than 200 links in new website
— Used content management system (CMS) to update pages and transfer them to the new site.

Copy Editor – The Herald Sun
Durham, NC, Fall 2002 – June 2006
— Edited 15-30 stories per day on deadline in fast-paced environment
— Collaborated with editors to ensure accuracy of content and flow of stories
— Wrote high-quality, creative captions and headlines
— Copy-edited stories while maintaining writer’s voice in news and feature stories
— Selected relevant, timely content for weekly section focused on healthy living
— Worked with graphics and photography departments to ensure engaging, accurate presentation of information

Reporter/copy editor – Erie Times-News
Erie, PA, July 1991 – July 1998
— Researched and wrote award-winning features and news stories for morning, afternoon and weekend newspapers
— Collaborated daily with editors to manage content of different sections of the newspapers to ensure accuracy and completeness
— Served as primary copy editor providing final read to approximately 20 stories a day for news sections
— Wrote weekly column focused on relevant topics of the day
— Researched to help develop a local style guide to supplement the AP Stylebook
— Created an internal writing newsletter for reporters and editors to improve and standardize writing across all newspapers
— Collaborated with graphics team to source images, graphs and charts to supplement content, resulting in engaging pieces for audiences

EDUCATION

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
. in Elementary Education, concentration in Math Education

Austin College, Sherman, TX
B.A. in International Studies

Interests and hobbies

Spending time with my young adult children
Reading
Kayaking
Traveling
Learning
Education
Sports (some favorites are hockey, soccer, football, baseball and NASCAR)

How I'd describe my personality in two sentences

I'm curious and love to learn, and I'm passionate about creating excellent writing. I work calmly and professionally when I'm on the clock, and enjoy friends and being outside when I'm not.

How I'd describe my approach to my work

I start with background questions.
1. What type of writing is it?
2. Who's your audience?
3. What do you hope to accomplish with your text?

I'll keep the answers to those questions in mind throughout the editing process. First I read without editing so I know what's there and get a feel for the author's voice. Then I read to edit, making sure to keep the audience, purpose and author's voice in mind. Editing for commas and capitalization is the easy part. The real value is in taking a piece of writing and ensuring it serves its purpose—whatever that is—with creativity and clarity.

Why should you choose me for your project

I've worked successfully with many different kinds of people and understand the connection people have to their own writing. I'll honor your values while working quickly and efficiently to meet deadlines with high-quality content. My experience includes more than 15 years editing and writing in a variety of settings, so I'm flexible and adaptable.

I also was a classroom teacher where excelled at taking complicated material and reworking it so it could be understood by people of different ages and reading levels. Ensuring content is concise and user-friendly is my goal.

I look forward to working with you!

Portfolio

No samples are available to view here.

Reviews