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:

“Being a first time children’s author, I wanted to be taken seriously when my book BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale went to print. Jim made me feel as though he was interested in me as a person and not just a client. I appreciated that immensely. After Jim Whiting’s thorough editing process, I can honestly say I am extremely happy with the results. He made the process easy and it was a pleasure to work with him. Jim not only is an editor, but also a teacher. I learned valuable skills to apply to my writing. I can now say my book is in the shape I envisioned it to be. I plan on having Jim Whiting edit my future books.” – Crystal Marcos (children’s book author)

“I’m about to self-publish a guidebook for mountain biking on the Olympic Peninsula and want to tell you that Jim Whiting has been an instrumental member of my team. I found him when looking through the Seattle Editors Guild. While sifting through the resumes of the many well-qualified editors sent to me, it was obvious that his experience most closely matched my needs. My intuition served me well, too. From the very outset he and I were on the same page. Not only were his line edits superb, but his more substantive suggestions were usually right on too, and I soon began seeing and appreciating how he was helping me knock the rough edges off my manuscript. Not only that, he was patient, timely and polite, which made working with him an enjoyable experience. I recommend him for any related job. In retrospect I realize it was my great fortune to have had the opportunity to learn something from a master of his trade. – Dave J. Rowan (guidebook author)

“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 proofreader 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)

“Working with Jim was a pleasure. He never changed what I had to say—only how I said it. Jim went through and took out things which didn’t add value and reworded lengthy explanations to be clearer and more concise. After Jim’s editing, my article was stronger with a more active voice. He worked quickly, and was supportive and polite. I appreciate the experience of working with a master of his trade. I really appreciate his services and will tell anyone I know doing writing about him.” — Meg (freelance writer)

“Jim Whiting did a yeoman’s job in editing this book. His respect for my father shone through as he assisted me in structuring my somewhat disparate thoughts.”  — Patricia Burgess (attorney and memoir writer)

“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)