Meet Your Publishing Partner
Hello! I’m Abby—a freelance editor for Christian writers and the human behind Shining Waters Editorial. I’ve always been drawn to words, from my early days of devouring tween and teen magazines and penning rhyming poetry to my career pursuits as a writer, editor, and content marketer. I’m an avid consumer of books and digital content, and I’ve been honing my editorial expertise for nearly two decades (see my career highlights below).
On a personal note, my husband and I have been married for fourteen years, and we’ve been blessed with three wild and wonderful little boys. Yes, I’m a #boymom who is learning every day how to be the best version of myself for my sons. As a family, we love movies, trail walks, games, pizza, and Jesus. We also enjoy soaking up the experiences each season brings here in our lovely Midwestern state of Indiana.
Background & Qualifications
Proficiencies
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign and Acrobat; familiar with Photoshop and Illustrator)
- Canva
- Various CMS platforms (WordPress, Webflow, Wix)
- Various project management platforms (Monday.com, Asana)
- Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
- The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- The Associated Press Stylebook
Education
Bachelor of Arts | University of Indianapolis | May 2008
- Major: Communications (emphasis in journalism)
- Minor: Writing/Publishing (courses covered professional editing, publication design, and creative writing)
- Awards and recognition: Summa cum laude, Communication Freshman of the Year, Outstanding Student in Journalism
Additional Coursework
- Reading & Writing Diverse KidLit & YA | Loft Literary Center | June–August 2020
- Formatting Print Books and eBooks Using Adobe InDesign | Stone Ridge Books | May–June 2023
Freelance Experience
2.5+ years (May 2023–present) as a freelance editor and proofreader
- I partner with Christian writers and authors to review a variety of content with a sharp eye for detail.
- My contract work has included editing Bible studies for a Christian ministry, polishing digital content for a faith-based agency, and proofreading children’s Bible books for an independent author.
Current silver member of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network
Other Professional Experience
7 years (2008–2015) as an editor for an educational publishing company serving adult learners
- I edited print and online versions of over 60 college-level titles for nursing, business, and general education courses. I also edited marketing ads and other corporate publications.
- Additional experiences included consulting the The Chicago Manual of Style, communicating with subject matter experts (authors) and printers, formatting and updating textbooks in InDesign, and using PowerPoint to create summarized textbook content guides for instructor-led courses.
7 years (2014–2021) as a volunteer blog editor for a Christian church
- I came up with article ideas and acquired contributing writers, edited blog posts from staff and volunteers, published posts using WordPress, and wrote meta descriptions and social media promotions.
8 years (2015–2023) as a marketing content writer, editor, and manager for a B2B software company
- I edited multiple monthly email newsletters, three large-scale research reports, countless campaign emails and ads, six seasons of podcast show notes and web copy, and numerous blog posts.
- Additional experiences included managing a remote team of writers, planning and prioritizing content projects, leading the content portion of two large-scale website overhauls, and tracking content performance.
5 years (2020–present) as a board member for a literary nonprofit serving children in need
- In 2022, I revamped the organization’s Wix website, which involved editing all copy and creating a more modern design (including a new logo).
- Additional experiences include creating marketing materials (bookmarks, book donation bin designs, book drive flyers, etc.) in Canva, updating the website as needs arise, compiling and editing content for a monthly newsletter, and communicating with other board members to continue the mission.
About Shining Waters Editorial
Shining Waters Editorial partners with Christian writers, authors, ministries, nonprofits, publishers, and media companies to refine and elevate their written words for the cause of Christ. I help shape and polish books, Bible studies, devotionals, magazine articles, journals, planners, and newsletter content.
The name Shining Waters Editorial is inspired by the beloved novel Anne of Green Gables. The first time Anne Shirley sees Barry’s Pond, she imaginatively dubs it Lake of Shining Waters. I love Anne’s bright spirit and the image of glittering water, which are great reminders of our call to reflect God’s light.
In my editorial work, I focus on five core values:
- Faith | Put God first
- Intentionality | Make purposeful decisions
- Goodness | Spread hope
- Learning | Lean into curiosity
- Quality | Raise the bar