Educational Publishers Say . . .
Dana combines expert scientific knowledge and educator know-how with her extensive editing experience to craft a scientifically sound and well-written final product. She is a skilled editor who is always attentive to details, prompt with deadlines, and highly professional. Finding freelancers who are truly skilled at writing and editing and who have an authentic science background is difficult. With Dana, you get the best of both worlds.
Lori Leclair, Former Science Content Editor, Help Teaching
Dana’s work as a reviewer and editor and as teacher of authors around DEI issues and biases in educational content is exceptional. She is prompt, thoughtful, and brilliant, and I highly recommend Dana’s editorial mind on any project.
Jeanne Zalesky, Head of Content Acquisitions and Development, Oxford University Press, Higher Ed North America
I managed a team of contract content writers and editors creating online courseware for higher education biology classes, and Dana was consistently my star team member. It is very difficult to find someone who both understands science to the degree that Dana does and who can also write about it so clearly and concisely. Any time I had a particularly complex subject matter or project come up, Dana was at the top of my list of people to assign it to. Not only is Dana an exceedingly talented writer and detail-oriented editor, she’s incredibly reliable in regards to deadlines and communication. In all seven years I managed her as a contractor, I never had any issues with her work. I cannot recommend Dana highly enough. Any team would be lucky to have her.
Mary Tibbets, Former Content Lead – Intro Bio, Ecology, Evolution, Macmillan Learning
I had the sincere pleasure of working with Dana when I was directing an enormous science-based literacy project for Achieve 3000 at McGraw Hill. I needed creative, engaging, professional writers who were not only qualified educators but who were also bona fide scientists—a combination of experience that is extremely difficult to find in one human being. Fortunately, Dana possesses all these credentials and more and was able to join the project as a part-time contractor. Her diligence and expertise in communicating science clearly and accurately to teen readers quickly became a huge boon to the project. And her experience as a sensitivity editor also ensured that all our young readers would feel represented and respected. Furthermore, Dana collaborates thoughtfully, generously, and with good humor, so working with her was an absolute joy for all of us on the team. In short, Dana tops my list of science writers I would happily hire again because I trust that her talents and skills would help me achieve and enhance any project.
Tania Burchell, Former Science Writer/Editor at McGraw Hill
Dana is a thoughtful and thorough editor who offers constructive feedback beautifully. She also has a keen eye for ensuring educational materials are inclusive of all learners. She is both passionate and knowledgeable about DEI&J issues and astutely applies that lens to everything she reads and edits. Dana is kind, collaborative, and simply a pleasure to work with!
Lisa McLellan, Former Senior Content Specialist at Pearson Education
I hired Dana to assist my editorial team with high school science and mathematics curricula. Dana’s expertise as an editor and her vast content-specific knowledge were a tremendous value to our team, and we immediately saw improvements in the materials we posted to our platform. She was versatile in a variety of style guides and approaches, and went above and beyond the work I assigned her, providing recommendations for streamlining our in-house general and STEM-specific style guides as well as offering suggestions for resources to improve our sensitivity and diversity approaches, for which she has had special training and education. She attended our monthly staff meetings, where her laidback but direct communication style was always welcome. Her intelligence, sensitivity, humor, and responsiveness made working with her a delight, and her facility with technology and openness to learning new approaches made her an ideal hire.
Lenore Myka, Former Editorial Director, Opportunity Education
Scholars, Academics, and Doctoral Candidates Say . . .
Dana was an incredibly helpful copyeditor for my book being published by the University of Illinois Press. She picked up on details that I had overlooked and pointed out phrasing or organization that could be confusing to readers. I felt she helped me clarify my writing, all the while keeping to my own voice and style. I have worked with copyeditors at other presses, and Dana definitely stands out as the best.
Lucy M. Long, PhD, Author of numerous articles and books, including Sweet, Tart, and Golden: Apples in the Midwestern Imagination
Dana is a wonderful copyeditor whose deft attention to detail and commitment to clear and conscious writing has been an enormous help on Ideas on Fire manuscripts. Her edits are quick, precise, and thorough while maintaining the integrity of author voices and publisher needs. She gets at the heart of a manuscript’s purpose, and her edits draw that out beautifully.
Cathy Hannabach, PhD, Founder and CEO, Ideas on Fire
With a deadline looming, I was so grateful I found Dana. I researched several editors on the Editors of Color website, read Dana’s bio, and reached out to her. Dana was patient, receptive, and a great communicator. She was always on time, and she gave me the option to go through her feedback and edits on my own or with her. Her feedback was constructive, positive, and I never felt judged. I had the best experience working with her and have referred her to several colleagues. I won’t forget how much her editing meant to me during a hectic and tenuous time in my life.
M. Wolfgramm, MA, PhD, Educational Consultant, IKUNA Group
DJ goes above and beyond for my editing needs. It feels like she’s in my writing room thinking alongside me, encouraging me where there may have been doubt and asking questions that readers would need clarity on. Not only that, but all of DJ’s feedback was clean and organized, making it easy to incorporate and keep track of my progress. I would strongly recommend DJ for any writer that needs a copyeditor who will focus on quality and still be efficient with timelines.
Gabriel Peoples, PhD, Assistant Professor, Gender Studies, Indiana University
I couldn’t have been more blessed to have Dana as my copyeditor. Her attention to detail and knowledge of APA rules is impressive, but for me, it was Dana’s kindness and empathy that I valued the most. During an incredibly stressful period in my life as I worked to complete my dissertation while searching for a new job, she provided invaluable guidance, encouragement, and support.
John Kim, EdD, Director of Education at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network
I was referred to Dana by a friend/cohort mate in my doctoral program. I had a very tight timeline and needed an editor who was available quickly. Dana’s communication with me was fast and reliable! Though she had many other projects, she was willing to work with my timeline. Dana is very knowledgeable and edits with a culturally conscious framework. I loved her feedback and comments on my dissertation paper, and I felt that my money was well spent. I have referred her to many colleagues because of my positive experience.
Erica Alcantara Aros, PhD, Director for Employee Engagement, Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, San Diego State University
Book Publishers and Self-Publishing Authors Say . . .
Dana is a superb copyeditor. She has edited several academic books for Ohio University Press, and we hope she will continue to work with us on many more! Her edits are detail oriented, precise, and thoughtful, and she writes clear and respectful queries to authors. I feel much less stress about a project when I know Dana is working on it. I would highly recommend her editorial work.
Tyler Balli, Managing Editor, Ohio University Press
Dana has done a great job copyediting for the University of Illinois Press. She works well with authors and provides excellent suggestions and respectful queries. I enjoy working with her and would highly recommend her to any press looking to add to their copyeditor list.
Jennifer Argo, Managing Editor, University of Illinois Press
Dana is an excellent editor and thought partner. I have had the pleasure of working with her on two major projects: a dissertation and a book. Through both processes, Dana exemplified professionalism, patience, and expert knowledge on what was necessary to create an exemplary written product. Dana was timely in her responses and worked diligently with me as ideas were exchanged and continuous edits occurred. She worked to promote my unique voice and message, never once dismantling my original meaning. She has a laser-like focus on refining writing skills and techniques. Dana worked to ensure that I was valued as a writer and never minimized work submitted or thoughts shared. Dana never disappointed with her delivery of materials to me, and I definitely considered her a valuable resource.
Antoinette Pearson, EdD, CEO and Lead Consultant of Common Sense Learning; Self-Publishing Author
I sought Ms. Johnson’s editing services while working on my very first book. I knew I had made the right decision during our initial consultation, when she helped me understand the nuances of editing as they pertained to my manuscript. Once I had decided to retain her copyediting services, the contract process was seamless, and the timeline aligned with my expectations. The finished product was far more thorough than I expected as a first-time author. Her attention to detail and knowledge of the publishing process helped improve my manuscript and better anticipate what to expect. I would recommend Ms. Johnson to anyone looking for a first-class copy editor whose value far exceeds the cost of retaining her for services.
Sherman Gillums Jr., Adjunct Professor at University Maryland Global Campus and Self-Publishing Author
Dana is absolutely gifted at what she does. After speaking with several other highly recommended editors, I knew she was the perfect person to edit my book within seconds of connecting with her. She is professional, knowledgeable, positive, and truly a pleasure to work with. It was apparent in every interaction I had with her that she loves what she does, and it shows in her work product. Dana had a way of knowing and understanding my voice, and I used almost every single edit and revision she suggested for my book. She understood my vision beautifully.
Ginger Marie Corwin, Life Coach and Self-Publishing Author
Individuals and Organizations Say . . .
Dana has done a fantastic job editing reports for the Union of Concerned Scientists. She is responsive, offers excellent suggestions, and is careful about keeping the author’s intended meaning and voice. She provides detailed comments about why she makes certain changes, which has proved helpful for authors in improving their writing and avoiding specific problems in future work. In addition, she is particularly knowledgeable about DEI-related language and references. We’re happy to count on her for regular assignments!
Bryan Wadsworth, Managing Editor, Union of Concerned Scientists (written with input from two lead authors)
Though there were times I agonized with my writing, Dana was there as a coach and advisor, encouraging me to relax, breathe, and continue to push on. She was a sounding board, and she always assured me that my audience would value my authentic voice.
T. Scott Madry, PhD, TSMadry Group
I consider Dana to be my official copyeditor for all my writing, which includes scriptwriting, grant writing, web page presentations, descriptions for exhibited artworks, even film credit formatting. Most recently, Dana worked on an edited volume of essays involving 25 authors, How to Respond in a Pandemic: 25 Ideas from 25 Disciplines of Study. Dana’s copyediting established a coherence to the many voices, and her attention to detail was essential for ensuring that footnotes and references met professional standards. Writing is difficult, and readers are impatient when things are not clear. Everyone needs careful eyes as keen as Dana’s to assess their writing and make it better.
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