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I was an editor and writer at the Los Angeles Times for 24 years, specializing in explanatory journalism and breaking news. Much of my work involved researching, writing or editing how-to guides, Q&As and other pieces that explain how readers are affected by major events. Now I'm bringing those skills to one of my main hobbies: board games. I'm usually the guy who teaches everyone else how to play them, so I know what I'm looking for from a rulebook, cards and other texts. There are good rulebooks out there, but most of the ones in my collection are plagued by poor organization and a lack of clarity. So I often find myself having to play a game a few times just to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing. That's the sort of user experience you want to avoid.
Services offered
I am available for proofreading, copy editing, line editing, developmental editing and writing. My specialty is aggressive line editing for flow and clarity. Ultimately, though, all of my edits will be subject to the client's approval.
The client picks the format for the material to be edited, but I highly recommend Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign, followed by Google Docs. They track changes well and make it simple to accept or reject suggested edits. Adobe Acrobat, not so much. InDesign has the added advantage of showing precisely how the suggested changes would affect the layout.
For rates, see my rate sheet.
Skills
Experienced writer, line editor and proofreader
Can work in Word and Excel, Adobe InDesign and Acrobat, Google Docs and Sheets
Adept at translating complex ideas into readily digestible language
Years-long record of meeting tough deadlines
Great familiarity with many types of board games and rulebook styles
My last gig: Los Angeles Times
Deputy editor, breaking news team, Dec. 2023-Dec. 2024
Senior editor, utility journalism team, Aug. 2021-Dec. 2023
Deputy editorial page editor, Oct. 2016-Aug. 2021
Editorial writer, July 2005-Oct. 2016
Tech reporter, Oct. 2000-July 2005
Previous gigs
San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California, tech reporter, June 1997-September 2000
Freelance writer and editor, Buffalo, N.Y., Aug. 1995-June 1997
Congressional Quarterly, Washington, D.C., staff writer, Dec. 1992-Aug. 1995
Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem, N.C., staff writer, Oct. 1983-Dec. 1992
Daily and Sunday Register, Shrewsbury, N.J., Aug. 1980-Oct. 1983.
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