Ayshea Wild
Write Wild exists to help you organize, revise, and polish your writing to better serve your readers. Grounded in my own long-standing writing practice, my work involves guiding you to see your project through to completion so your stories can go out into the world. The experience of writing narratives is personally life-shaping, and a well-crafted, purpose-driven, polished book can also change the lives of readers.
I specialize in editing memoir at all stages of the writing process, acting as an attentive first audience and asking questions that move the work forward. I get to know each writer’s work and intention intimately, and provide timely, accurate, and thorough feedback. I take a pedagogical approach to editing, and I coach writers to hone their work without sacrificing voice or directness. Where applicable, I give creative prompts to enhance the world of the book and make it more compelling.
My experience as a British-born immigrant to the United States has taught me how to read for underlying meaning in a focused way, with an outsider’s objective eye. Raised with UK English, I have been immersed in American English for 30 years. My love of literature is rooted in delight, and deep listening for cadence, rhythm, and tone. Good writing allows readers to enter the same contemplative space shared by music, visual art, and nature. My role is to help facilitate this essential human experience.
Current Memberships
Write Wild | Résumé
Ayshea Wild
PO Box 1267, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | 503-887-0348
awild AT write-wild.com | www.write-wild.com
SUMMARY
Book editor dedicated to guiding authors who are driven to make a contribution to the world through story.
SKILLS
Writing coach with a pedagogical approach to editing, specializing in memoir. Copyeditor, line editor, and developmental editor delivering constructive feedback on schedule with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Proficient in US English; UK English; CMOS; Microsoft Word and Word Styles; Google Docs; Adobe Acrobat.
EXPERIENCE: Selected Recent Projects
Developmental edit of a children’s picture book (MS Word, Adobe Acrobat)
Developmental edit of a memoir about networking and dance (US English, MS Word)
Line and copy edit, book proposal about yoga and the chakras, wellness (US English, MS Word)
Line and copy edit, book-length project about mindset, memoir/self-help (UK English, NHR, MS Word)
Light copy edit, book-length fiction (US English, MS Word)
English editor of translated monthly newsletter, global audience, personal narratives (US English, MS Word)
Copywriting, liner notes, acknowledgments, musician bios, and PR for Jazz CD (US English, CMOS)
Developmental edit, line edit, and copy edit, book-length health/self-help manual incorporating memoir and philosophy (US English, MS Word)
Line edit and copy edit, self-published book of 50 lessons in Buddhist thought with accompanying meditations (US English, MS Word)
Developmental edit and line edit, book-length memoir (US English, Google Docs)
Line edit and copy edit, book-length memoir; line edit of book proposal and query letter; copy edit of author website (US English, Google Docs)
TEACHING
Emma Willard School, 2021 to 2024, Troy, New York, Substitute English Instructor
Writing Tutor, 2020–2023, High School English, MCAT test
Schalmont High School, 2019, Schenectady, New York, English Teacher Intern, Spring Semester Residency
Maple Avenue Middle School, 2018, Saratoga Springs City School District, New York, English Teacher Intern, Fall Semester Residency
Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs Lower School, 2011–2018, 62 York Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York, Afternoon Teacher
Portland State University, 2000–2001, Oregon, Graduate Teaching Assistant, WR 121 College Composition, Writing Center Tutor, Intro to Women’s Literature co-teacher
SERVICE
Saratoga Book Festival volunteer October 2021–2024 Saratoga Springs, NY
CIEP Cloud Club West group, memoir-editing presentation May 30, June 6, June 13, 2024
CIEP fiction group, memoir-editing talk, May 2023
CIEP conference virtual networking session cofacilitator September 2024, September 2023
Yoga Mandali, 2018–2019, Saratoga Springs, NY, volunteer yoga teacher. Completed 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training, 2017
Saratoga Independent School Board of Trustees, 2012–2015, Saratoga Springs, NY. Board member, Governance Chair, copywriter
EDUCATION
Professional Certificate in Editing, UC Berkeley Extension, 2023.
MA in Teaching (English), Clarkson University, 2019
MA, English, Portland State University, 2002, Thesis, Seeing and Good Action: The Use of Great Painting in Three Novels by Iris Murdoch
BA, English and Fine Art: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Portland State University, 1997
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Editorial Freelancers Association
Editorial Freelancers Association: KidLit Chapter
ACES Society for Editors
CIEP Chartered Institute for Editing and Proofreading, Entry-Level Member
Alliance of Independent Authors, Partner Member
Editors Tea Club
EDITING COURSES
ChatGPT for Editors, September 2023
Advanced Editorial Workshop: Substantive Editing, UC Berkeley Ext., August 2023
Editorial Workshop II: Intermediate Copyediting, UC Berkeley Ext., April 2023
Editorial Workshop I: Introduction to Copyediting, UC Berkeley Ext., Nov. 2022
Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage for Editors, UC Berkeley Ext., August 2022
Proofreading and Copyediting in CMOS, Editorial Freelancers Association, 2021
Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing, 2021
CONFERENCES
ACES: VCON 2024, VCON 2023, Accelerate 2022, Refine and Refresh 2021
CIEP: Embracing Change 2024, Language Matters 2023, Editing in a Diverse World 2022, CIEP 2021
Northwest Editors Guild: Red Pencil Conference 2023