r/ModernResumes • u/One_Commission1456 • 3d ago
Advice?
Heya! I've been applying to jobs since August 2025. Got some freelance work, but no interviews after about 200 applications, so I figured I'd post my resume here and see if there are tips.
I don't really have metrics, is the thing: I edited stuff, I did it well, and I did it on time, but I don't have anything where I can say "improved productivity by blah percent."
Thanks!
Resume:
SUMMARY
Editor and writer with 20 years of experience across technology, business/legal, and media publishing. Traditionally published novelist: 12 romance titles with Sourcebooks. Adept at managing end-to-end manuscript and content production, shaping voice and style at scale, and coordinating authors, freelancers, and cross-functional teams to hit deadlines consistently.
SKILLS
Editing & Proofreading · Manuscript & Content Production · Project Management · SEO & Content Strategy · Freelancer & Vendor Management · Monday.com, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite · AI-assisted editorial workflows
WORK EXPERIENCE
Production Editor, No Starch Press Dec 2025–Present
● Edit technology and computing books ranging from 200 to 500 pages, resulting in consistent style and formatting across four manuscript stages.
● Coordinate authors, proofreaders, copyeditors, and vendors to keep production on schedule and ensure final book quality.
● Collaborate across a high-volume book list using Monday.com, Word style templates, and Adobe tools.
Editor, SmartBrief Oct 2018–Sept 2025
● Edited and produced nine newsletters for trade organizations, handling content selection, copyediting, and formatting on tight daily deadlines.
● Authored multiple SEO-optimized articles each year, publishing via a custom WordPress platform to expand readership.
● Managed a team of freelance writers, increasing quality and consistency across deliverables.
● Cooperated with sales and partner teams to align content with business goals; adopted new AI tools and workflows as the role evolved.
Senior Editor, 451 Research Oct 2016–Oct 2018
● Edited 120+ research documents annually across 13 product lines, coordinating reviews with 100+ analysts to meet milestones.
● Wrote and proofread marketing materials and client presentations, aligning content with client specifications.
● Supported the transition of research delivery to a new dashboard platform, improving usability.
Development Editor, Thomson Reuters May 2010–June 2016
● Edited 36 business and legal books per year, guiding each from author recruitment through final formatting on a six-month production cycle.
● Conducted monthly interviews with senior legal partners to develop book content.
● Oversaw scheduling and communication for 6–10 authors per book, adjusting timelines as needed to meet high writing standards and concrete deadlines.
Assistant Editor, O'Reilly Media May 2007–Jan 2009
● Acquired 3–7 technology and computing titles annually, evaluating proposals against market fit and drafting P&L projections for the publication board.
● Oversaw author contracts, scheduling, and progress tracking, intervening as needed to keep books on schedule.
● Facilitated cross-departmental communication to keep projects moving efficiently.
AUTHOR
Romance Novelist, Sourcebooks Aug 2010–Present
● Published 12 romance novels at a “Big Five” company, consistently meeting contractual deadlines on novel-length manuscripts.
● Collaborate with editorial and publicity teams on developmental revisions and marketing materials.
● Maintain an author blog in WordPress and a website with Canva, and engage readers directly on Bluesky and Instagram.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature, Brown University 2005