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The newer cans go behind the older ones.
The labels should always face out. And stack, stack, stack items whenever possible.
I enjoy organizing things. Cleaning out a closet, putting away the groceries, those tasks feel really good.
For me, communication is organization. You have some great things to say—insightful, thought provoking, witty—and they’re all there, in your head or on the page. Now you’re ready for me.
Thorough developmental editing is my specialty. I focus on structure, content, flow, clarity, fact checking if something seems awry, and copyediting.
If you need assistance with the big picture, I can help you put that in order by analyzing issues, planning internal and external messaging campaigns, and finding stories that add a bit of extra zip to a tried-and-true recipe.
What’s more, as a grants management and development expert, my writing and editing can help your organization stock the pantry.
Interested in my research and writing? Check out the stash in my larder.
Services Offered
Strategic communications
Analyze external views of organizational operations
Create proactive messaging on issues of key importance
Find untold stories that give new context to existing situations
Project management
Coordinate activities with authors, editors, and operations team
Ensure quality and consistency in layout, styles, and components of the book
Keep project on schedule
Writing coaching and editing
Advise on research, logical flaws, voice, and much more
Brainstorm new research and writing ideas
Developmental editing: structure, content, flow, clarity, fact checking
Copyediting: simple revisions, grammar, punctuation, syntax
Proofreading: typographical errors, house style
Writing
Historical and cultural research
Scholarly books and articles, blog posts, and public talks
Distilling complex text into graphic display
Grant and budget writing, from tens to hundreds of thousands of US dollars
Development and fundraising communications materials
See samples of my work
Writing
Scientific research crafted to tell compelling stories
Talks
Clear and powerful delivery of messaging
Editing
Careful attention to detail will help make your writing shine
What people are saying
“Vanessa is a phenomenal editor. She brought order and stylistic rigor to a complex and fast-moving project, and she did so quickly and mindfully. She also integrated her work with our processes, helping us charge ahead to meet an ambitious deadline. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.”
— Robert Alford, SteegeThomson Communications
“We were fortunate enough to have the invaluable editorial assist from Vanessa Davies . . . whose steady intelligence, good cheer, and superb sense of the English language relieved the editors of considerable stress and gave us a ‘good read’ on how best to convey some technical points to non-specialists.”
— Mark Csikszentmihalyi and Michael Nylan, Technical Arts in the Han Histories
About me
The ancient Egyptians loved making order (maat) out of chaos. I can totally relate. I even wrote a book about it.
Now my work brings me on adventures both in the Nile Valley and far beyond. From Chinese history to genetic science, my editing and writing sets things in right order.
Drop me a line whether your writing is nearly finished and you’d like some polishing, or the ideas are floating around in your brain and you’re looking for clarity.
(Of course, I can talk about Egypt too, anytime.)
To schedule a consultation and talk about your work, fill out the form below!
For an example of my own writing, check out my article on Pauline Hopkins who used her novel to set the record straight about African history.
Can’t get enough? You can find more of my writing and some videos here.
Contact me
I am not currently accepting new business. Please use the form below to get in touch with me about other aspects of my work.
Vanessa Davies 