Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Sarah Lane
Pickletack
“Whenever there’s a critical need to get my message right (from a marketing or educational perspective), I turn to Sarah. Sarah is able to turn my trash words into sentences that are works of art, in ways that I honestly haven’t found anyone else able to do since my English teachers in school. My non-profit’s marketing is now at a substantially more professional level, which has helped us in numerous ways, from recruiting volunteers to partnering with other orgs to fundraising. I know she can do the same for any other company or group out there. Hire her!”
—Loren Bast, Executive Director of Bainbridge Prepares
During my career, I’ve edited academic articles and proposals, fiction manuscripts, textbooks, trade books, marketing materials, blogs, and website content.
I have five years of in-house experience with textbook development companies, but most of my career has been spent freelancing. For my ongoing clients, I edit academic grant proposals (EFA and Academic Language Experts), edit online coursework, write and edit newsletter and website content (the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Prepares), and write articles for Tideland, a glossy lifestyle magazine. Over the span of nearly five years, I wrote more than 2,000 articles for Inside Bainbridge, a well-respected news website that partnered with The Seattle Times, covering everything from disasters to council meetings to theater and restaurants.
Numerous writers I edited for requested me on subsequent editions of their books. My educational publishing clients include Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; The Mountaineers Books; NTC/Contemporary Publishing; Scott, Foresman and Company; and The Wright Group. My business clients include Ernst & Young, The Spencer Foundation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, The Washington Health Foundation, and Columbia College Chicago. I have coached and provided editing for a range of successful writers including Julie Hall (The Narcissist in Your Life and A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids), Jan Tegze (Full Stack Recruiter and Job Search Guide), Trevor Sybertz (The Student Superconnector), Dr. Vicki Sharp (Computer Education for Teachers), and Marlowe Benn (Passing Fancies and Relative Fortunes).
When working with an author, I make sure to listen carefully to the specifics of the project before proceeding. Then I aim to provide exactly the level of edit requested. I edit first with an eye toward clarity, which encompasses grammar, structure, and transitions. I also make sure the tone is consistent and the writing is engaging.
“Sarah is one of the best book editors I’ve ever worked with. She’s able to see problems with a text that I would never have noticed, and she always has great suggestions for how to fix them. She’s also extremely efficient, which is essential when you’re working on a tight deadline. But what I really appreciate about Sarah is her willingness to go above and beyond for her authors. She’s always available to answer any questions they might have, and she’s never afraid to give them honest feedback. I know that she cares deeply about her authors and their work, and it shows in everything she does.”
—Jan Tegze, Full Stack Recruiter, Job Search Guide
“As a fledging author overwhelmed by the need to establish an online presence, I needed serious help. Hiring Inkshed was the smartest move I could have made. Sarah Lane understood my situation perfectly. She prepared a clear and manageable plan for how to proceed, and she cheerfully worked by my side to teach me not only how to navigate the mysterious ways of websites and social media, but why it matters. I learned strategy and larger goals, not merely the procedural mechanics involved. Both thumbs way up for Sarah and Inkshed!”
—Marlowe Benn, author of Relative Fortunes and Passing Fancies
“I hired Sarah for a blog post project and she exceeded my expectations. Not only did she deliver what I asked for within the time frame allowed but she put her own special touch to the post that showed how creative and skilled she is.”
—Troy S.
“Sarah was extremely helpful in the setup of my business. She saved me tons of time and answered all of my questions quickly. I highly recommend her services.”
—R. Miller, Miller Speech-Language Pathology
Bainbridge Island, WA
US
Cell phone: 206-321-4588
Email: sal@pickletack.com
More information: View PDF file
Years in the field: 30
Years freelancing: 25
Sarah Lane
“Whenever there’s a critical need to get my message right (from a marketing or educational perspective), I turn to Sarah. Sarah is able to turn my trash words into sentences that are works of art, in ways that I honestly haven’t found anyone else able to do since my English teachers in school. My non-profit’s marketing is now at a substantially more professional level, which has helped us in numerous ways, from recruiting volunteers to partnering with other orgs to fundraising. I know she can do the same for any other company or group out there. Hire her!”
—Loren Bast, Executive Director of Bainbridge Prepares
During my career, I’ve edited academic articles and proposals, fiction manuscripts, textbooks, trade books, marketing materials, blogs, and website content.
I have five years of in-house experience with textbook development companies, but most of my career has been spent freelancing. For my ongoing clients, I edit academic grant proposals (EFA and Academic Language Experts), edit online coursework, write and edit newsletter and website content (the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Prepares), and write articles for Tideland, a glossy lifestyle magazine. Over the span of nearly five years, I wrote more than 2,000 articles for Inside Bainbridge, a well-respected news website that partnered with The Seattle Times, covering everything from disasters to council meetings to theater and restaurants.
Numerous writers I edited for requested me on subsequent editions of their books. My educational publishing clients include Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; The Mountaineers Books; NTC/Contemporary Publishing; Scott, Foresman and Company; and The Wright Group. My business clients include Ernst & Young, The Spencer Foundation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, The Washington Health Foundation, and Columbia College Chicago. I have coached and provided editing for a range of successful writers including Julie Hall (The Narcissist in Your Life and A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids), Jan Tegze (Full Stack Recruiter and Job Search Guide), Trevor Sybertz (The Student Superconnector), Dr. Vicki Sharp (Computer Education for Teachers), and Marlowe Benn (Passing Fancies and Relative Fortunes).
When working with an author, I make sure to listen carefully to the specifics of the project before proceeding. Then I aim to provide exactly the level of edit requested. I edit first with an eye toward clarity, which encompasses grammar, structure, and transitions. I also make sure the tone is consistent and the writing is engaging.
“Sarah is one of the best book editors I’ve ever worked with. She’s able to see problems with a text that I would never have noticed, and she always has great suggestions for how to fix them. She’s also extremely efficient, which is essential when you’re working on a tight deadline. But what I really appreciate about Sarah is her willingness to go above and beyond for her authors. She’s always available to answer any questions they might have, and she’s never afraid to give them honest feedback. I know that she cares deeply about her authors and their work, and it shows in everything she does.”
—Jan Tegze, Full Stack Recruiter, Job Search Guide
“As a fledging author overwhelmed by the need to establish an online presence, I needed serious help. Hiring Inkshed was the smartest move I could have made. Sarah Lane understood my situation perfectly. She prepared a clear and manageable plan for how to proceed, and she cheerfully worked by my side to teach me not only how to navigate the mysterious ways of websites and social media, but why it matters. I learned strategy and larger goals, not merely the procedural mechanics involved. Both thumbs way up for Sarah and Inkshed!”
—Marlowe Benn, author of Relative Fortunes and Passing Fancies
“I hired Sarah for a blog post project and she exceeded my expectations. Not only did she deliver what I asked for within the time frame allowed but she put her own special touch to the post that showed how creative and skilled she is.”
—Troy S.
“Sarah was extremely helpful in the setup of my business. She saved me tons of time and answered all of my questions quickly. I highly recommend her services.”
—R. Miller, Miller Speech-Language Pathology
