As a reporter by trade, I’m a seasoned storyteller. Challenge me to write about a topic — any topic — and I’ll deliver words that are as vivid as they are clear, as crisp as they are convincing.
I’m also an expert editor, who delights in implementing both structural feedback and line-by-line copyediting. For me, few things are as gratifying as transforming words that are “good enough” into content that dazzles.
The bottom line: I love language so much that I’ve been blogging about it since 2005.
Why Jonathan?
Most writers focus only on the words. Yet what something says can quickly be undermined by how it looks. So I also focus on aesthetics — everything from how long your paragraphs are to the use of headings and a killer headline.
Similarly, most editors simply improve documents. I also teach you how to write better. I want you to understand the reasons for my feedback, so you can employ these new skills in your next project.
Which Type of Editor Do You Need?
When people talk about “editing,” they often mean different things. Here are the definitions I use:
Proofreader
A proofreader corrects typos, grammar, and punctuation, and enforces consistency vis-a-vis an editorial style guide.
Editor
An editor does all this — and makes changes for clarity, cogency, and flow.
👉 Read more about this distinction.
In Hiring Me, What Can You Expect?
Here are a few examples of how I’ll make your work better:
Aesthetics
Does your a
Grammar
Do your modifiers dangle? Do your subjects agree with your verbs? Are any of your antecedents vague? Do you mix metaphors?
Consistency
Do you substitute hyphens for dashes? Do you use (or avoid) the serial comma consistently? Which numbers do you spell out with words? Do you use sentence case or title case for headings? Do you shift tenses? Do you write “towards” instead of “toward”?
Ideas
Are you ideas presented logically? Are they as clear as crystal? Do you make assumptions? Do you have enough examples? Do you fall back on jargon?
Other
Does the text flow smoothly, or does it make any abrupt stops? Are your verbs muscular? Do your adverbs sharpen or dilute your adjectives? Are your introductions gripping? Are your conclusions memorable? Do you use passive voice strategically? Do you vary the relative length of your sentences? Do you unwittingly repeat certain words?
My Niche
I specialize in short-form thought leadership. For example, I’ve helped clients succeed with the following projects:
Where I’ve Been Published
My work has appeared in a plethora of publications, including:
Browse My Work
📝 Check out my writing samples.
📝 And peruse my writing workshops:
Testimonials
Don’t take my word for it; listen to my clients:
🙌 “You gave us so much to work with, and our work is so much better thanks to your skills and research! You really captured the essence of the client, its ethos, and its future. We are beyond grateful for your expertise and clever and insightful writing.” —Grace Leong, Hunter
🙌 “Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, and rockstar writing ability. It’s been a pleasure. Your approach and deep research made this process cathartic in a way I didn’t expect.” —Kimberly Spell, One World Associates
🙌 “I love being edited by you! You have a masterful command of modern conventions, and I learn every time. You are the most meticulous and savvy editor I’ve ever worked with.” —Paul Stregevsky, BayFirst Solutions
🙌 “From our first conversation, Jonathan quickly picked up on what I was aiming for and asked thoughtful questions that brought clarity and structure to the project. The turnaround time was tight, and this particular project was important to me both personally and professionally. I appreciated Jonathan’s insight, clear edits, and timely feedback throughout. I would gladly recommend him, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with him again.” —Elizabeth Milian, The Milian Legal Group
Intrigued?
📌 Are there any typos?
📌 Is the writing grammatically flawless (for example, there aren’t any vague antecedents, dangling modifiers, or fragments, and the subject always agrees with the verb)?
📌 Are there any inconsistencies (for example, in spelling, dashes, numbers, hyphenation, the serial comma, etc.)?
Here’s a sampling of the questions an editor asks:
📌 Can the wording be tightened or made more vigorous?
📌 Is anything ambiguous?
📌 If asked, could a reader articulate the thesis in their own words?
📌 Is the writing fluid — both within paragraphs and from paragraph to paragraph?
📌 Would the writing be better if it included lists, tables, subheadings, or other visual aids that break up the monotony of paragraph after paragraph?
📌 Are any sentences or paragraphs too long?
📌 Are any words repeated so often that the repetition is distracting?
📌 Can any verbs be made more muscular?
📌 Does the intro grab and hook the reader?
📌 Does the conclusion delight the reader?
📌 Would instances of passive voice be better if converted to active voice?
📌 Is jargon used appropriately, or as a crutch?
📌 Have the quotes and claims been fact-checked?
📌 Has the text been run through a plagiarism checker?