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Canned Food

 

The newer cans go behind the older ones.

The labels should always face out. And stack, stack, stack items whenever possible.  

 

I enjoy organizing things. Cleaning out a closet, putting away the groceries, those tasks feel really good.

For me, communication is organization. You have some great things to say—insightful, thought provoking, witty—and they're all there, in your head or on the page. Now you're ready for me.

Thorough developmental editing is my specialty. I focus on structure, content, flow, clarity, fact checking if something seems awry, and copyediting.

If you need assistance with the big picture, I can help you put that in order by analyzing issues, planning internal and external messaging campaigns, and finding stories that add a bit of extra zip to a tried-and-true recipe.

What's more, as a grants management and development expert, my writing and editing can help you or your organization stock the pantry.

Interested in my research and writing? Check out the stash in my larder.

Canned Veggies

Services Offered

Canned Food

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Analyze external views of organizational operations

Create proactive messaging on issues of key importance


Find untold stories that give new context to existing situationsn

WRITING COACHING

Advise on research, logical flaws, voice, and much more 

Brainstorm new research and writing ideas

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Coordinate activities with authors, editors, and operations team

Ensure quality and consistency in layout, styles, and components of the book

Source and check artwork and image permissions

Serve as editorial oversight

Keep project on schedule

Canned Beans

EDITING

Developmental editing: structure, content, flow, clarity, fact checking

Copyediting: simple revisions, grammar, punctuation, syntax

Proofreading: typographical errors, house style

WRITING

Grant and budget writing, from tens to hundreds of thousands of US dollars

Development and fundraising communications materials

Vanessa is a phenomenal editor. She brought order and stylistic rigor to a complex and fast-moving project, and she did so quickly and mindfully. She also integrated her work with our processes, helping us charge ahead to meet an ambitious deadline. I would work with her again in a heartbeat. 

Robert Alford

Associate, SteegeThomson Communications

SUNY Press

2021

Cover of Technical Arts in the Han Histories book

We were fortunate enough to have the invaluable editorial assist from Vanessa Davies . . . whose steady intelligence, good cheer, and superb sense of the English language relieved the editors of considerable stress and gave us a ‘good read’ on how best to convey some technical points to non-specialists.

About me

About Me

The ancient Egyptians loved making order (maat) out of chaos. I can totally relate. I even wrote a book about it!

 

Now my work brings me on adventures both in

the Nile Valley and far beyond. From Chinese history

to genetic science, my editing and writing sets things

in right order.

Drop me a line whether your writing is nearly finished and you'd like some polishing, or the ideas are floating around in your brain and you're looking for clarity.

(Of course, I can talk about Egypt too, anytime.)

To schedule a consultation and talk about your work,

fill out the form below!

Member, Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)

For an example of my own writing, check out my article on African American author Pauline Hopkins who used her novel to set the record straight about African history.

Can't get enough? You can find more of my writing here.

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Contact Me

December 2022 Update

I am not currently accepting new business.

 

Please use the form below if you wish to get in touch with me about other aspects of my work.

Thank you!

Vanessa

Thank you! I'll be in touch soon.

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