About Authentic Self Editorial.
Hi, I’m Rachel, the editor behind Authentic Self Editorial. Though I became a professional editor in 2020, I’ve been editing informally for over 25 years.
I started Authentic Self Editorial to create a space where writers and creatives of all neurotypes can share their passions while feeling safe, accepted, encouraged, and supported.
Like many women, I was diagnosed as neurodivergent in my 30s, after I became a mother. It was like I’d been wandering around in a dark room my whole life and someone finally turned on the lights. The more time I spend processing my neurodivergent identity, the more I appreciate how being neurodivergent informs every aspect of who I am and how I interact with the world.
I bring this awareness and sensitivity to my work as an editor, where my top priority is ensuring your message is communicated in your own authentic voice.
Who I am.
I carry many identities: I’m an editor, a creative, an amateur historian, a baker, a traveler, an entrepreneur, a student, a seeker, an immigrant, a mother, a wife.
Though I am a native Californian living in the Netherlands, my clients come from around the world. I am experienced in editing various forms of English (American, British, Canadian, Australian) and English in translation.
Check out my StoryGraph page to see what I’m reading. On my blog you’ll find tips for neurodivergent writers, musings about my experience as a neurodivergent creative, and deep-dives on some of my favorite hyperfixations.
My qualifications.
Books and editing have always been where I feel most like myself.
I was hyperlexic from a young age, and I frequently stayed up all night to read. I started to write for pleasure when I was 9 or 10, and I became a peer editor at 14, when my classmates would seek me out to review their academic and personal writing. At university, I chose a writing-intensive major, and volunteered as a peer editor.
In the 15 years prior to officially becoming an editor, I found myself taking on the role unofficially, as I found myself writing, editing, and formatting various training manuals, customer service scripts, job descriptions, and operations manuals in every job I held.
When I decided to pursue editing professionally in 2018, I found a job in the acquisitions department of an independent, well respected publishing house. This role gave me immense insight into what is required to publish a successful book. I still continue to assist this publisher with compiling and formatting their twice yearly book launch reports.
I earned my copy editing certification in 2020, and since then I have helped clients to hone their novels, bio blurbs, website copy, memoirs, and newsletters.
My education.
Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego Extended Studies
BA in History, with a focus on the ancient Mediterranean; with honors, Phi Beta Kappa,
University of California, Berkeley
Thesis: The Economies of Identity: The Cult of Isis and the Roman West in the First Two Centuries CE
Certificate in Baking and Pastry, California Culinary Academy
My values.
Human first.
Authentic Self Editorial does not use AI in any capacity; all services are performed by a human (me) and are 100% AI-free.
Diversity and Inclusion.
Authentic Self Editorial recognizes that identity is complex and intersectional and I believe it should be celebrated as such; I value acceptance, diversity, and inclusion, regardless of how you identify. I do not tolerate discrimination, whether it be on the basis of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, sex, religion, marital status, disability, immigration status, citizenship, native language, country of origin, or neurotype.
Authenticity.
My goal at Authentic Self Editorial is to foster authentic self expression. To this end, I value preserving your unique voice. I also value communicating with clients using kind, honest, and direct language.
Collaboration.
Authentic Self Editorial shares an essential goal with its clients: to create a document that will effectively communicate your message to your target reader. To this end, I see the editing process as collaborative, and value communication and listening skills.