Jim Whiting
I have an extensive background as an editor. During my 17-year tenure at the helm of Northwest Runner magazine, I polished hundreds of articles in a publication that panels of independent professional journalists voted Publication of the Year in the 24-member Running Network. My fellow editors also gave me a special Cal Ripken Ironman Award in recognition of the consistently high level I maintained. A number of successful authors and freelance writers got their start with my encouragement and advice, seeing their bylines for the first time in Northwest Runner.
I've supplied the same encouragement and devoted the same attention to detail as a freelance editor. In addition to editing scores of children's non-fiction titles, my work also includes adult and young adult fiction, memoirs and children's chapter books.
Here are some comments:
"For over two years and nearly two dozen books, Jim Whiting was my editor at Mitchell Lane Publishing. In that capacity, he was an attentive proof reader who both tightened and elevated my prose. However, he did much more than improve the original copy. With an artist's eye he discovered nuances in every work. Although his changes were never heavy-handed, he often added small sections which made the books more interesting and improved their readability. Jim Whiting understands writers because he is one. I'd recommend his work to publishers hoping to improve their lists and aspiring authors hoping to publish." — John Bankston (freelance author)
"Thank you for the wonderful work that you have done with my book. Working with you, we managed to trim unnecessary and excess details while maintaining the story line. Your talent to use creative words and restructure sentences enhanced my story both visually and rhythmically. After many edits and with your patience, I am very happy with the final result of my book." — Ong Yang (children's picture book author)
"Some freelance writers think of being edited as going to the dentist. They clearly haven't had the opportunity to work with Jim Whiting. He's intelligent, that rare editor who doesn't elaborate more than necessary yet doesn't leave you in the dark either. Jim's more akin to a psychologist in that he reads the material and figures out what the writer is trying to say before making his comments. His thought process makes the editing process improve the work rather than just fix it." — Carolyn Kepnes (freelance author)
"Jim Whiting is the kind of editor any writer should be looking for. He not only edits grammatical errors, he also asks the hard questions. He asked me questions that helped me write a story that is believable and strong. He made suggestions to change the story to make it flow. He even did some research to find data and facts for me. Jim is professional and a pleasure to work with." — Sheri Jo Ball (children's chapter book author)
"We've been over your edits in two books and you proved so very thorough that we have great confidence in your eye. You even went knowledgeably deeper in correcting obscure names of composers and artists that we might never have otherwise caught." — Jack Fritscher (writer/publisher)
"Wow! You have a real gift. My manuscript is better now that you've worked on it and I look forward to working with you again." — Michael Lister (publisher)
"I certainly was impressed at what a thorough job of editing you did. As you see, I've taken almost all of your suggestions." — Gail Miller (children's book author)
"Thank you so much for your editorial advice! I have wrapped up the book and I feel as though it is ready to be sent off." — Beth Crawford-Mass (children's book author)
"Jim's comments about my writing were constructive and conveyed in an encouraging tone. Jim is the kind of editor who helps build a writer's career. He encouraged me to take risks and to write for larger markets. I've enjoyed working with Jim and respect him on both professional and personal levels." — Nita Leising (freelance writer)
"I have been writing stories and articles for Northwest Runner for over a dozen years now. I appreciated Jim Whiting for the opportunity and encouragement he provided writers. Anyone who has written for Northwest Runner will give you an enthusiastic variation on this comment. Jim deserves it." — Brian Soneda (freelance writer)
"Jim turned Northwest Runner into one of the finest, if not THE best, in a large field of regional publications covering this sport." — Joe Henderson (former editor, Runner's World and author of many outstanding running books)
"I have always found Jim to be an excellent person with whom to work, whether the project involves an event, an article, or anything else related to publishing. He is astute, always professional, and has that attention to detail which allows for great confidence in the end result of whatever he is doing. He makes an excellent team player and he clearly has the ability to see a project through from its start to finish and get it done on time." — Lester Smith, Jr. (race director, Portland Marathon)