Writer / Editor / Proof Reader

Erik Ievins has edited and proof read books for a long list of famous and debut poets and novelists. His background is wide: he survived elementary school thanks to the library – reading being so much more interesting than paying attention in class.  Writing waited until life experiences gave him more to say.  Music lessons introduced a rhythm to language, as well as professional symphony experience while still in high school.  A shift to engineering studies honed a talent to figure out how things work.  Erik can effortlessly translate between repair technicians and laypeople, explaining to either audience.  He enjoys writing in many genres, including music, newsletters, memoir, process documentation, forensic analysis, and micro-fiction.  His poetry has been published in several anthologies including Fog and Light, Pandemic Puzzle Poems, and All the Men Came & Danced.

In addition to being a fine writer and excellent editor, Erik is also an ace proofreader and does the final check for books published by Blue Light Press.

Testimonials

"Your attention to detail is scary. Not enough of you in the publishing industry."
– Rodney Charles, 1st World Publishing

"You're better at this than some people who have an MFA."
– Diane Frank, Prayer to the Invisible

"Erik did a spectacular job. This will be the first book I have without typos."  (with great gratitude and admiration...)
– Grace Cavalieri, Maryland Poet Laureate Emerita, Owning the Not So Distant World

"Thanks to Erik’s really hawk-eyed proofreading, there is a new item in the glossary at the back. I can’t believe Erik caught that a Hebrew word I used 4 times was left undefined."
– Irwin Keller, #1 bestselling author of Shechinah at the Art Institute: Words, Worry, Wonder

"Thank you again for your thorough and insightful catches and comments.  I am indebted to you for your sharp eyes and witty tongue. I enjoyed reading your comments with their rabbit holes as much as any poem or essay I’ve read in quite some time."
– Terry Lucas, Marin County Poet Laureate Emeritus, Everything: New & Selected Poems

"If people knew how good you are at this, they'd be lining up around the block."
– Daniel J. Langton, SF State Professor Emeritus, During Our Walks

"Wow. Thanks so much for the extraordinary edit, and for your kind words as well. I’m extremely impressed. Your fine eye, your care, your ear, and your brilliance found things I never would have seen, flat out didn’t know. And also, that others didn’t see either.  You earned every cent and then some."
– Guy Biederman, Here's Where We Get Off

"Thanks for your usual thorough and witty thoughts!  I love how closely you read!"
– Prartho Sereno, Marin County Poet Laureate Emerita, Starfall in the Temple

"You've been a proof-reader plus. The PLUS has been extraordinary. I feel you've put your soul into it. I am happy-plus with your work."
– Jim Ralston, Dangerous Intimacies

"I appreciate your attention to detail. Thanks so much for your patience with me. You’re very professional in checking with the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines on all of this and explaining everything in such a nice way. You’ve taken lots of time to make sure that my book is perfect. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I'm thrilled with all of this."
– Pat Underwood, The Different Path

"Your summation is brilliant.  You’ve convinced me that all editors should be required to have a degree in engineering."
– Rodney Charles, 1st World Publishing

Erik's Musings

As with any job, a good "fit" is paramount. Ideally, this should be fun. My favorite clients are interesting and awesome – we look forward to sharing stories over a beverage any time.

It's unusual, but I'm comfortable with all types of editing.
• Copy Editing is straightforward: just apply appropriate rules for grammar and punctuation. (We use Chicago Manual of Style here.)
• Substantive (Content) Editing: make it flow better, make every line deliver. I suggest cleaner or simpler words where appropriate, but I keep the author's storytelling voice intact. My suggestions are never mandatory.
• Continuity Editing: I love this. Some readers' brains will virtually explode at an inconsistency, no matter how minor. We're the people you want doing this type of work.
• Proofreading should be easy, right? Then why do different people see different things? No one sees perfectly, but I get closer than many.
• Reading, cleaning up, reading again... you'll find completely different issues. It's like sanding wood or polishing paint: get rid of the high spots, then you can see what simply wasn't visible before. Let's make it shine!
• Sometimes, as smooth as the words are, the story still hiccups. Developmental Editing is usually considered a first step, but it can be applied remedially. Sometimes the author is amazed at a tiny suggested difference. Other times they have spent years getting used to the clunkiness. If you want my observations, I'll happily oblige.
• Above all: this is your book, not mine. Use the suggestions that feel right to you.

You're entrusting me with your baby, on which you've poured your heart and soul. I'm honored to be included.