I wanted to be an editor. That's all I knew when I started college nearly ten years ago. I had no idea if that was a practical goal, or whether I wanted to edit books, magazines, newspapers, or a combination of the three. I just knew that I had a love for words and a passion for working with words to create a document or manuscript that was the best version of itself.
Fast forward eight years, I found myself in a Publishing Practicum class at the University of Iowa where the professor addressed each of the nine students as "Editors." We were THE Editors of the 4th Annual Iowa Chapbook Prize! I was an Editor! It was only a semester-long gig, but I felt like I'd finally made it.
During that semester I applied and was accepted into the Denver Publishing Institute where I gained more in-depth knowledge and experience with copy editing, proofreading, and marketing from professionals in the publishing industry.
January 2022, I will begin a new graduate program: MA in Professional Creative Nonfiction Writing with the University of Denver. In the mean time, I am considering independent editing, proofreading, and writing opportunities in varying genres from business or educational documents to fiction, creative non-fiction, and memoir. Contact me at Jen.Anne.Becker@gmail.com with information about your project and how I can help you.
...but it was not because he didn’t care about those people. He was weary of hearing complaints from friends who never tried to do anything to change their circumstances.