About Whiskey Jack Editing
Experienced editor of fiction and nonfiction
An editor is a partner who helps you strengthen your skills
Whiskey Jack Editing is the creation of Mel Barber, an admitted bird-watcher and supporter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Whiskey Jack” is a nickname for the mischievous and playful gray jay, also known by its northern name of the Canada jay.
Here’s what you’re getting when you hire Whiskey Jack Editing to write your press release, uncover the narrative shortcomings in your short story, ferret out continuity errors in your novel, or make certain your narrative nonfiction is free of embarrassing typos:
- 23 years of copy editing skills honed on deadline at three U.S. newspapers.
- 23 years of writing feature articles on books, music, movies, food, and local events, including sometimes interviewing small-town artists and world-famous celebrities.
- 13 years of writing fiction professionally — primarily 11 published romance novels, including a USA Today bestseller.
- 9 years of copy editing and proofreading full-length novels for a large publishing house and independent authors (genres include romances, thrillers, crime dramas, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, and more). I do not handle YA or children's fiction.
- 2 years of tutoring college and high school students while providing analysis and developmental editing for academic essays.
- A master’s degree in publishing and writing from Emerson College and a bachelor’s degree in English, philosophy and the humanities from Valparaiso University.
- A welcoming attitude toward stories with minority or marginalized populations and alternative lifestyles. Yes, steamy/spicy stories. Yes, LGBTQIA+ stories. I write them myself, and I edit all stories with the same professionalism and care.
- A strong desire to see you succeed in your goals. I’m here to help you communicate effectively and reach the people you want to influence.
Whiskey Jack Editing offers a wide range of services, from broad-picture (developmental) editing to final-eyes proofreading. If you’re not sure what kind of help you need to turn out your best writing, contact me and we’ll figure it out together.
Start your journey
You'll never know if you don't ask.
By hiring a professional editor, you’re showing your commitment to making your writing the best it can be. Use the contact form to reach out and get started. Include the type of project you’re working on, the estimated (or exact, if you have it) word count, and the desired deadline.
If we’re a match for content and timing, I’ll request more details from you, complete a 1,000-word sample edit on works over 25,000 words, and give you a price quote and time frame for the project. You can then decide if you’re ready to entrust your work to Whiskey Jack Editing for a thorough, professional review with heart. Let's make your writing soar.