Rachel Lapidow

RACHEL LAPIDOW Phone: - » Email:-» www.RachelLapidow.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Self-driven copy-editor and proofreader with wide-ranging experience in client-facing roles. Leverages strong communication, problem-solving, and time management skills to source and balance multiple projects, ensuring that high-quality deliverables are always ready as contracted. Offers proven record of customer service and satisfaction in both editorial and other roles. Seeking new chances to use these skills, with particular interest in remote opportunities. AREAS OF EXPERTISE » Editing & Copy-editing » Proofreading & Beta-reading » Building Relationships » Customer Service » Copywriting & Research » Written & Oral Communication TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) » Adobe Acrobat » Dropbox » LinkedIn » Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Copy Editor & Proofreader Jul. 2016 – Present Rachel Lapidow (freelance) » Hinesburg, VT » Provide copy-editing, proofreading, and beta-reading services for a wide range of fiction and non-fiction documents on freelance platform Upwork, maintaining 100% client satisfaction and top site rating. https://www.upwork.com/o/profiles/users/_~0149b75b58d8882af6/ » Work directly with clients to define projects, assess needs, and set project timelines. Maintain communication and provide updates as projects progress, ensuring client satisfaction through professionalism and promptness. » Balance priorities and leverage strong time management skills to handle up to 4 projects at a time, ensuring that multiple simultaneous clients receive deliverables on time. » Copy-edit documents with eye for consistency and readability. Review and make recommendations that improve accuracy and target audience appeal for nonfiction and enhance reader interest and buy-in for fiction. » Proofread documents with eye for standard grammar and freedom from mechanical errors. » Beta-read documents with eye for holistic effect (overall character development, dialogue, and setting, among others) and offering recommendations that explain insights and offer multiple ways of addressing them. » Past projects have included: • For private client (2018), beta-read science fiction novel (110K words). • For client Festive Ninja (2018), copy-edited Return to the Stars (18K words). • For client Biohazard Games -), copy-edited The Grand Amplifier (82K words) and pageproofed Upwind core rule book (80K words). • For private client -), copy-edited self-published medieval fantasy novel (76K words). • For client Jacqueline Larkin -), edited 8 blog posts, 2 short stories, and 2 non-fiction pieces. Two of these pieces have been published in Maple Tree Literary Supplement and Dote Magazine. • For a private OG-GYN client (2017), edited health book targeted toward older women (33K words). • For client Weaver Sinclair Limited (2017), provided line-level edits for 5 contemporary romance novels (50K words each). • For client Creative Publishing House (2017), provided line edits for 5 Regency romance novels (63K words apiece) and 2 erotic romance novels (25K words and 61K words). • For client Nine Dragons RPG (2016 –2018), copy-edited 3 books in Honour series (49K words total) and Flintlock Roleplaying Game (43K). • For client Integrative Ink (2017), proofread biography of Henian Edward Newsome, an African-American soldier in WWII (48K words). • For client Shannon L. Brown (2017), proofread contemporary romance Crazy About Alaska (65K words). • For private client (2017), beta-read 3 novels: middle grade novel with fantasy elements (48K words), young adult novel about sibling abuse (54K words), and a present-day thriller (74K words). • For private client (2017), edited and beta-read modern speculative novel (110K words). • For client Doublespace Publishing (2017), proofread fantasy novel (103K words) • For client Adeel Asghar (2017), copyedited e-book Human Foods that Are Harmful to Pets (3K words). RACHEL LAPIDOW, PAGE 2 Experience, continued Proofreader & Copy-editor Apr. 2016 – Present The Hinesburg Record » Hinesburg, VT » Copy-edit 40–50 articles per month for local newspaper, including press releases, news stories, and more. » Proofread articles in PDF form, ensuring maximum accuracy and efficiency prior to publication. » Prepare paper’s style guide, ensuring uniformity across sections and issues, as well as reference lists for local businesses, organizations, and events. Data Entry Clerk Nov. 2015 – Feb. 2016 Revision Military » Essex Junction, VT » Maintained extensive database, comparing manufacturers’ lists to spreadsheets enumerating inventory and materials. Updated years’ worth of information. » Drew on attention to detail, organizational skills, and analytical abilities to maintain project confidentiality and adhere to contracted deadlines. Professional Learning Intake Coordinator Oct. 2013 – Oct. 2015 Stern Center for Language & Learning » Williston, VT » Provided client-facing technical support, drawing on problem-solving skills to resolve issues with class registration, class set-up, and similar logistical issues » Oversaw editing and distribution of yearly catalog reaching all K-12 schools in Vermont, raising organization profile and drawing new prospective professional learning students. » Transcribed online courses, providing written scripts that could later be standardized. Created thousands of hardcopy binders of other courses and mailed these for classes held across the country. » Supported instructors regarding technical and communication issues. Helped grade minor assignments as needed. » Edited multiple internal and external documents, including course catalogs. Ensured that company website and internal databases remained up-to-date on available course offerings. » Took initiative to create company’s first standard operating procedures (SOP), developing standardized guidelines for registrations, course creation, course cancellations, calendar management, database management, and more. » Worked directly with external stakeholders, including education company Wilson and higher education providers. » Handled textbook orders, other miscellaneous purchase orders, copyright permissions, and event planning. » Followed up with clients (individuals, schools, and supervisory unions) on any late payments. Administrative Assistant May 2012 – Oct. 2013 Hayward Tyler, Inc » Colchester, VT » Handled all front office duties, including guest relations and screening incoming calls on multi-line phone. » Processed wide range of internal items, including accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), employee timecards, labor reports, and purchase orders. » Edited company newsletter and technical documents, ensuring accuracy and messaging consistency. » Created and maintained databases, spreadsheets, and tables for internal use, projecting sales figures in order to develop and track progress toward key performance indicators (KPIs). EDUCATION Certificate in copy-editing, 2017 University of California – San Diego, San Diego, CA Poynter ACES Certificate in editing, 2015 Poynter News University, St. Petersburg, FL Bachelor of Arts in professional writing, 2007 Champlain College, Burlington, VT