About Val
I read, and I know things. And I tell you about what I know.
I have opinions. So many opinions.
Where the name comes from
Jane Yolen’s rhyming picture book Child of Faerie, Child of Earth tells the story of a chance meeting between a human girl and a faerie boy. They take turns showing each other their worlds and become great friends. When they realize they each belong where they started, the girl gives the boy an egg, and he uses faerie magic to draw a feather from it. As he does, he says, “I give you this that comes from that.”
That line is my philosophy of editing.
You give me that: something creative, knowledgeable, and beautiful, but still cloudy or rough. I give you this: questions, suggestions, edits, and the occasional argument—the extra facets that make the thing sparkle. (Yes. I said sparkle. Deal with it.)
How I got here
I earned a BS in computer science, then worked as a programmer and a program manager. I learned to break down problems, brainstorm solutions, communicate options, and translate what a customer wanted into what a system needed to do. I’m still surprised how much I use all of that when I’m helping someone debug a novel’s plot, or explaining what genre readers will expect.
I took time away from work to start a family. When my kid started school, I joined a writing group and found I loved critiquing my partners’ work more than almost anything. So I earned an editing certificate through the University of Washington and hung out my shingle in 2010. Since then I’ve done instructional design, accessibility work, and technical writing and editing—and fiction editing, which is the most likely reason you’re here and by far my favorite.
“Your work is phenomenal. It’s very clear you understood exactly what I was trying to convey with this story, especially with the tech stuff. There were no recommendations that were off base. Even the set of stuff I ultimately didn’t act on were things I had to think long and hard about.”
What I read
I love what story does: it drops you into a different world and lets you live a different life for a few hundred pages, and it shows you how other people solve the problems you have. I moved a lot as a kid—military brat—and my book friends were often my closest friends.
The first science fiction novel I remember reading is The Girl with the Silver Eyes, by Willo Davis Roberts. Lois McMaster Bujold is my favorite, and the writer I’d point at for craft: she’s a master in both science fiction and fantasy, which almost nobody manages. I also keep going back to T. Kingfisher, Naomi Novik, and John Scalzi.
I’m still reading science fiction and fantasy today.
When I’m not working
You’ll find me playing with food, playing with yarn, playing outside, or hiding from three very needy cats.
My vice is curiosity. It hasn’t killed me yet. My other vice is sharing what I know. That one’s come close a time or two.
Education and memberships
BS, Computer Science
Certificate in Editing, University of Washington
Intro to AI for Editors
Key Concepts for Developmental Editing
Editing Fiction at a Sentence Level
How to Write a Fantasy Novel that Works
Writing Mastery with Jane Brody
Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)
Fine print
How can I help you?
Have a look at what I offer, or book a complimentary half-hour call and tell me where you are with your book.