Fiction,
Academic,
and Business
Services
words edited per year
words written per year
fiction projects edited
academic projects edited
resumes completed
30 years’ of experience in the publishing industry, 25 years in professional editing, 20 years in academic editing, and 16 years in fiction editing.
Why Choose Goldenwest Editing?
Our editors at Goldenwest Editing have experience as both author and editor. As such, we do understand the issues a writer faces when handing over their hard work for someone else to comment on. We’ve been there and we know what it feels like. That said, we also understand the rigors a manuscript can go through before it is accepted for publication. If this is your first time working with an editor, it’s important to understand that when we edit a document, we do so with the understanding that you probably won’t be sitting next to every reader explaining any issues or clarifying vague concepts. Reducing your level of emotional attachment will help you through the editing process and make it seem less overwhelming. We are your ally in this process and we want you to succeed; however, our goal in editing is to make your work readable to your audience.
Professional Qualifications
30 years’ experience in the publishing industry, 25 years in professional editing, 20 years in academic editing, and 16 years in fiction editing.
Global Services
Headquartered in Southern California
Communication Preferences
Process
Payment Process
Good writing. Would definitely recommend and personally would use again. She ‘gets’ it.
Oops – and I thought I could spell and use grammar correctly. Many thanks to GWE for helping me complete my grant application.
Wow! Fast service and good rates. Thanks for the new user discount.
My name is Leslie O’Brien and I grew up in a family of storytellers and teachers.
Starting with a great-grandmother in Sweden who was a novelist in the early 20th century up through the years to a father who was fond of telling stories, many of which couldn’t be shared in mixed company. Of the stories my father could tell around me, I remember sitting in rapt attention as he shared his version of the epic events of the Revolutionary War. I will confess to being disappointed when I did learn the truth as his accounts were always much more entertaining. When I received my first library card, my narrow world exploded and I worked my way through the entire children’s section before setting my sights on fantasy, mythology and legends.
That love of reading and language turned into a passion as I majored in English (creative and expository writing) in college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree before setting my sights on a job in the publishing industry. Starting out at an educational publisher, I eventually took a position in acquisitions for a New York publisher where I loved working with authors at different heights in their careers.
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I remember a derogatory statement that used to float around the office when I worked in publishing: “Those who can, teach. Those who can’t, go into publishing.” It became a running joke because many of the editors in acquisitions were once teachers. I wanted both. While I enjoyed many aspects of publishing; especially helping a manuscript become a book, I also enjoyed taking a hands-on role working with writers, which I didn’t often get to do in acquisitions. When I left that job, I knew I wanted the best of both worlds (teaching and publishing) and GWE was born.
Established in 1998, GWE first worked in such niche markets as organizational leadership, managed health care, information technology, and education. In 2002, GWE began transitioning into global areas including projects on colonial law as it pertained to Africa combined with an increase in work associated with ICTs. In 2004, GWE’s reach expanded again to include a stronger client base with NGOs in Africa, Asia and Europe. In 2010, GWE added in writing services for both the web and print. In addition to our private and small business clients, GWE now proudly assists academic and civil service institutions around the world and works on a range of projects from proofreading and editing to full-scale project development/management.
Leslie O’Brien
Goldenwest Editing
1998 - 2023