Shelli Owen

What Can I Do for You? (My Résumé)

My proofreading/copy editing background and experience, which can work for you, include the following (current and most recent first):

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• Successful completion of the highly recommended Proofreading Anywhere course has given me thorough, practical training in all aspects of proofreading, including common spelling, word usage, grammar, sentence structure, consistency, formatting errors, discernment between American and British writing conventions, and more.

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• Facilitating a writing group for several years has helped me to become adept at quickly recognizing errors in voice or person; character, setting, or plot inconsistencies; ambiguous or inaccurate portrayals or statements; and so on; yet at the same time makes me want to give room for and encourage a writer's unique style and mode of expression.

• Online writing exchanges with other published authors to edit and proofread each other's preliminary work has given me additional experience and practice in the above noted skills.

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• Online and hard copy publication of my own writing has provided first hand experience with the process of professional editing and formatting and given me familiarity with every step of an author's journey from rough copy to published works.

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• An interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in biblical studies and art, with a minor in writing, from George Fox University in 2020 represents the completion, Summa Cum Laud, of five full years of studies, where I gained proficiency/expertise in the following:

  • English courses gave me in-depth knowledge and reinforced skills in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and required further development in various genres and styles of writing.

  • Art and design classes gave me an excellent background and grasp on many details along with the basic elements of formatting and publishing.

  • Biblical studies and various other elective and required courses helped me develop familiarity with several writing styles and guides. I am the most conversant with CMoS and MLA, but I have used APA and had exposure to other styles.

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Other relevant experience includes:

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• Twenty-eight plus years of teaching and tutoring all basic subjects at multiple grade levels (through home schooling, one-on-one sessions, and co-ops), including: reading, vocabulary, composition, literature, Latin and Greek roots, Spanish, history, and geography.

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• A two-year associate's degree/certificate in early childhood education, which taught me planning and organizing skills as well as attention to detail (helpful for compiling and following editing protocol and suggested check lists, etc.) .

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• Avid reading of a variety of genres all my life has given me a natural eye for most aspects of proofreading and copy editing.

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• Hearing and learning some of various foreign languages (Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Pidgin, Chinese, etc.) and living in and traveling to non-English speaking countries has given me an ear for and mind to understand basic language structures.

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• Two years of professional training and work in respiratory therapy before the birth of my first child gave me a solid introduction to medical terminology.

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• Brief note reader (scopist) training introduced me to basic legal terminology.

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