Heather Martin's Résumé

Editorial Abilities

  • Excellent knowledge of English mechanics
  • Experience with many genres of writing
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Exceptional organizational skills
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines
  • Experience editing digital and printed documents
  • Established research abilities
  • Proficiency with common applications in PC and Mac environments:
  • InDesign
  • QuarkXpress
  • word processors
  • web browsers
  • FTP clients
  • basic HTML
  • databases
  • e-mail clients

Work Experience


Editorial Assistant
September 2010–present
Harlequin Enterprises Limited, Toronto, Ont.

  • Read third-party publishers’ submissions and report on them in acquisitions meetings, displaying good manuscript evaluation skills and understanding of the suitability of each title for our publishing programs
  • Recommend and schedule reissue titles based on backlist research, titles’ sales histories and publication rights
  • Read backlist titles with reissue potential and weigh-in on their suitability to relevant programs
  • Edit and occasionally write front matter and cover copy
  • Contribute to departmental meetings and editorial relevance initiatives
  • Process rejection and query letters
  • Prepare correspondence and reports
Copy Editor
March 2009–September 2010
Harlequin Enterprises Limited, Toronto, Ont.
  • Copyedited and coded manuscripts on hard copy and on-screen
  • Copyedited front and back matter, cover copy, catalogs, and marketing materials
  • Verified all titles, authors, prices, ISBNs and on-sale dates against databases
  • Flagged copyright and trademark issues as well as inconsistencies in style or plot for editors
  • Alerted editors to potentially libelous or offensive content
  • Answered editorial, proofreading and production queries about manuscripts and ancillary materials
Proofreader
August 2007–March 2009
Harlequin Enterprises Limited, Toronto, Ont.
  • Proofread manuscripts, including running heads, chapter openings and time breaks, to ensure correctness, continuity and adherence to house style
  • Verified and inserted changes requested by repro reader, author or editor on galleys
  • Ensured the repaginated book was camera ready, flagging any potential problems for typesetting
  • Proofread covers, front matter and back page ads to ensure that copy, ISBNs, book numbers, prices, titles, authors’ names and copyright information were correct
  • Queried the proofreading supervisor or editors concerning internal inconsistencies as well as potentially libelous or offensive content
Freelance Editor
September 2005–July 2007
Kingston, Ont.
  • Edited and proofread documents such as scholarly monographs, graduate theses, reports for government, textbooks, job applications, and legal articles
Research Assistant
May 2007–July 2007
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Engineering Communications Program, Faculty of Applied Science

  • Established an EngCom Centre to be staffed with supervised undergraduates
  • Redesigned and updated EngCom web site for use in the 2007-2008 academic term
  • Wrote tutor training manual and delivered tutor training workshop
  • Created course manuals and curricula in consultation with Program Coordinator
Academic Assistant and Head Tutor
September 2006–April 2007
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Engineering Communications Program, Faculty of Applied Science
  • Taught the mechanics and style of technical communication to Mechanical and Geological Engineering students
  • Prepared materials and delivered lessons on grammar, concision, clarity, style, editing, research strategies, professional writing ethics, and technical genres
  • Graded and provided feedback on student reports, job applications, evaluations, proposals, presentations, literature reviews and peer editing
  • Delivered guest lectures on Oral Presentation Skills and Technical Writing Fundamentals
  • Created and disseminated lesson plans and resources to other tutors
  • Regularly updated EngCom website to provide students and tutors with learning and teaching resources and general program information
Research Assistant
January 2006–August 2006
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Engineering Communications Program, Faculty of Applied Science
  • Researched pedagogy of oral presentations and best practices for instruction and assessment
  • Designed webspace for the new Engineering Communications program
  • Assisted with curriculum design for three new Technical Communications courses in the Applied Sciences
Academic Assistant
September 2005–April 2006
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
  • Taught the mechanics and style of technical communication to engineering students
  • Prepared materials and delivered lessons on grammar, concision, clarity, style, editing, research strategies, professional writing ethics, and technical genres
  • Graded and provide feedback on reports, evaluations, proposals, literature reviews and peer editing
  • Delivered guest lecture on Oral Presentation Skills
Author Services Representative
February 2003–August 2003
Trafford Publishing, Victoria, B.C.
  • Guided authors through the submission and revision processes
  • Corresponded promptly with 70-100 active authors and 120 archived authors
  • Wrote news releases for new titles
Business Communication Tutor
September 2002–February 2003
University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.
International Student Services, Faculty of Business

Literacy and Numeracy Tutor
February 2000–June 2000
Wellington Centre for Continuing Education, Guelph, Ont.

Education

Certificate in Publishing
Ryerson University, Toronto, Ont.

Master of Arts ~ English Language and Literature
University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.

Bachelor of Arts ~ Honours English
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont.

Certificate in TESOL
Canadian Global TESOL Training Institute, Edmonton, Alta

Professional Memberships


Editors' Association of Canada, voting member
2008–present

Volunteer Experience


Big Sister
January 2004–August 2007
Big Sisters Association of Kingston and District, Kingston, Ont.

Food Bank Volunteer
September 2003–January 2004
Food Bank, Kingston, Ont.

Phone Line Volunteer
September 2001–July 2003
NEED Crisis and Information Line, Victoria, B.C.

Student Writing Consultant
September 1997–May 1999
Writing Services, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont.