Reviser Editorial

Jay Fernandez

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

I am reliable, inventive, pleasant to work with, and incredibly versatile, as my portfolio demonstrates. So if what you need is related to writing, editing, content development, or storytelling and you don’t see it on this list, you should probably try me anyway.

Manuscript editing and development. You have a partial or completed manuscript, and you’re ready for some objective professional input to help you improve and advance it. Depending on how far along you are and what your goals are, I can provide a detailed assessment of its strengths and areas for improvement as well as research ideas, prompts for fleshing out the content, in-depth line editing, and input on structure, themes, language, style, and overall effectiveness as a piece of storytelling.

I’ve given comprehensive feedback and completed detailed editing work on a number of short stories, a historical novel, a deeply reported book-length nonfiction account of a natural disaster, a hard-boiled detective yarn, a polemic about the state of our educational system, a deeply personal family memoir, and much more lovely creative work from aspiring authors. Bottom line: I can help you elevate your material so it’s in prime shape for pitching agents and editors.

Creativity coaching. Creative people benefit tremendously from having pop-in collaborators and creative colleagues with whom they can vet ideas and works-in-progress. This is especially true of those young in years or young in craft, who can accelerate and augment their talents by having an experienced, generous, independent mind brought to bear on their creative efforts and attitudes. How cool would it be if you could hire someone to be on call for you in just this way?

You can!

Beyond editorial specifics, I provide useful wisdom and advice, suggested reading tailored to your style and interests, education and workshop options, guidance about strategic direction or approach to career, and, of course, constructive encouragement. I’ve launched and participated in writing groups and workshops, and I’ve worked with editors who provided just this kind of mentor relationship. It’s invaluable. I can be this person for you.

Fundraising and development. I can deliver impact reports, donor proposals, annual reports, executive letters, speechwriting, and other fundraising collateral for your development department. Adapting specialized language and information for the layman is a strength of mine. I’m willing to bet that you and your team are overwhelmed and understaffed. So plug me in, and I’ll make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

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Nonfiction and journalism. Here, I can do anything from line editing to providing additional research, looking for gaps in logic and detail, reworking structure, and suggesting appropriate publications to target. These can be reported features, essays, humor pieces, blog posts, news items, passionate screeds, whatever — it’s all writing.

As a writer-reporter, my clips speak for themselves. I love diving into unfamiliar terrain, doing deep research, and crafting original, gripping narratives for readers of all kinds.

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Editorial consulting. I’m an idea guy, so I can help strategize and supply content for whichever mode you use — website, magazine, social media feed, newsletter, marketing material, blog, etc.

Marketing copy. Let me apply my storytelling talents and creativity with language to help build your brand and maximize your messaging. I’ll work with your designers to create dynamic, targeted, customized assets that fuel your marketing initiatives and increase your organization’s visibility.

Research. I love doing research and filling in unique detail. This may naturally become part of some other work I’m doing for you, or you can hire me simply to supply added material for your project. This can mean widening the scope of a memoir or nonfiction piece by fleshing out the historical context, weaving in data that helps solidify the point you’re trying to make in your essay, or collecting rich raw material to draw from in your fiction.

Website copyediting. As a consumer, nothing turns me off a site or brand faster than obvious spelling and grammar mistakes right on the landing page (or anywhere, really). Let me do a detailed run through your content before you go live (and then again after) to make sure you aren’t launching with easily fixed language blunders that will scare off customers and followers.

Temporary help. If you’re going to be without a staff writer/editor or other team member for a few weeks or months, allow me to fill in. I’m accessible, adaptable, and at your service. Just slot me into your structure and watch the copy flow unhindered.

Potpourri! I’m a pretty open-minded guy, and I love a challenge. You want copy to accompany your paintings at the gallery? You want to show up with creative, idiosyncratic wedding vows that have them laughing, then crying? You want an in-depth interview with your aging grandmother for the family archives? Try me!

Let’s Talk!