Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Ayshea Wild
Write Wild
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.
I also serve independent authors who are creating beautiful children’s picture books, helping them apply the conventions children and their caregivers expect and assisting with the juxtaposition of text and image.
As a big-picture editor, I work with the author in the areas of craft and structure. I collaborate with the author to organize the content of the book into the best shape for the story, reinforcing the manuscript’s strengths and suggesting improvements where they are needed.
When editing at the sentence level, I examine the author’s ideas, logic, and arguments more closely. At this stage, I make suggestions to improve clarity and enhance transitions. I guard the unique expression of the author’s voice and make certain the words on the page convey the author’s intended meaning.
When copy editing, I follow the Chicago Manual of Style to create consistency in language conventions such as punctuation, grammar, usage, and spelling. I compile a style sheet for the manuscript that records all the decisions the author and I make together.
I also read sensitively with a diverse audience in mind. My experience as a British-born immigrant to the United States has taught me how to read for underlying meaning with an outsider’s objective eye. Raised with UK English, I have been immersed in US English for almost 30 years.
My love of literature and language is rooted in delight and deep listening for cadence, rhythm, and tone. Good writing allows readers to enter the same contemplative space as that shared by music, visual art, and nature. My role is to help facilitate this essential human experience.
Ayshea Wild
Testimonials:
“Every writer needs an editor and Ayshea is every writer’s dream! Her mastery of the English language and deft editing skills combined with her attention to detail and thoughtful communication throughout made the editing of my book both a transformative and necessary experience in bringing my book to fruition!”
~Len Prazych, author of My Fathers: Letters of Healing on a Quest for the Truth www.LenPrazych.com
“Ayshea was not only an excellent editor, but she was also an excellent instructor. I love to ramble when I write, and she turned my rambling into a tight, neat story that complimented the wonderful illustrations. Thanks to her editing and suggestions, my illustrated children’s book became engaging, easy to read, and much shorter. Thank you, Ayshea!”
~Mary Jeswald, author
“I feel confident that I could not have worked with a better editor. I knew from the beginning that she understood my project. She took it along as I perceived it, with necessary nudges. I would be privileged to work with Ayshea again, who is fair, timely in her responses, respectful, and excellent in her talents and professionalism. I can’t recommend Ayshea highly enough. I am so grateful to her and to EFA.”
~Donna Amrita Davidge www.sewallhouse.com/www.donnadavidgeyoga.com
“When I rewrote my book, I contacted Ayshea and asked her to be my editor.
I am glad I did.
She was very responsive to my questions, ideas, format and writing style, which definitely needed change at times. She always had clear suggestions, recommended new ideas on how to position some chapters or meditations and was kind when I felt exhausted. She was very patient and gentle in motivating me to continue, particularly when it came time to send out the manuscript to publishers with many specific requests and few available publishing companies willing to publish an author’s first book.
She acted as a coach and found the book very important for a wide readership for its content and message.
I am grateful for her dedication, her knowledge about presentation and delivery of salient points. She is all around very dedicated for the success of a writer.”
~Pierre Zimmerman, author of Facing Cancer with an Attitude: Beyond Survivorship
More information: View PDF file
Years in the field: 4
Years freelancing: 4
Ayshea Wild
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.
I also serve independent authors who are creating beautiful children’s picture books, helping them apply the conventions children and their caregivers expect and assisting with the juxtaposition of text and image.
As a big-picture editor, I work with the author in the areas of craft and structure. I collaborate with the author to organize the content of the book into the best shape for the story, reinforcing the manuscript’s strengths and suggesting improvements where they are needed.
When editing at the sentence level, I examine the author’s ideas, logic, and arguments more closely. At this stage, I make suggestions to improve clarity and enhance transitions. I guard the unique expression of the author’s voice and make certain the words on the page convey the author’s intended meaning.
When copy editing, I follow the Chicago Manual of Style to create consistency in language conventions such as punctuation, grammar, usage, and spelling. I compile a style sheet for the manuscript that records all the decisions the author and I make together.
I also read sensitively with a diverse audience in mind. My experience as a British-born immigrant to the United States has taught me how to read for underlying meaning with an outsider’s objective eye. Raised with UK English, I have been immersed in US English for almost 30 years.
My love of literature and language is rooted in delight and deep listening for cadence, rhythm, and tone. Good writing allows readers to enter the same contemplative space as that shared by music, visual art, and nature. My role is to help facilitate this essential human experience.
Ayshea Wild
Testimonials:
“Every writer needs an editor and Ayshea is every writer’s dream! Her mastery of the English language and deft editing skills combined with her attention to detail and thoughtful communication throughout made the editing of my book both a transformative and necessary experience in bringing my book to fruition!”
~Len Prazych, author of My Fathers: Letters of Healing on a Quest for the Truth www.LenPrazych.com
“Ayshea was not only an excellent editor, but she was also an excellent instructor. I love to ramble when I write, and she turned my rambling into a tight, neat story that complimented the wonderful illustrations. Thanks to her editing and suggestions, my illustrated children’s book became engaging, easy to read, and much shorter. Thank you, Ayshea!”
~Mary Jeswald, author
“I feel confident that I could not have worked with a better editor. I knew from the beginning that she understood my project. She took it along as I perceived it, with necessary nudges. I would be privileged to work with Ayshea again, who is fair, timely in her responses, respectful, and excellent in her talents and professionalism. I can’t recommend Ayshea highly enough. I am so grateful to her and to EFA.”
~Donna Amrita Davidge www.sewallhouse.com/www.donnadavidgeyoga.com
“When I rewrote my book, I contacted Ayshea and asked her to be my editor.
I am glad I did.
She was very responsive to my questions, ideas, format and writing style, which definitely needed change at times. She always had clear suggestions, recommended new ideas on how to position some chapters or meditations and was kind when I felt exhausted. She was very patient and gentle in motivating me to continue, particularly when it came time to send out the manuscript to publishers with many specific requests and few available publishing companies willing to publish an author’s first book.
She acted as a coach and found the book very important for a wide readership for its content and message.
I am grateful for her dedication, her knowledge about presentation and delivery of salient points. She is all around very dedicated for the success of a writer.”
~Pierre Zimmerman, author of Facing Cancer with an Attitude: Beyond Survivorship
