The Professional
Book Editors Association
We are independent editors who are dedicated to
the craft of refining great ideas into exceptional books.
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MEET CERTIFIED BOOK EDITOR
Judy Compton
Business, Professional, Self-Help, General Nonfiction
I specialize in nonfiction in any form, and I have a particular soft spot for working with people who have tremendous expertise in their fields but aren't quite sure how to turn that knowledge into a book. The process of helping someone shape what they know into something readers can actually pick up and learn from, that's what gets me excited.
Words have been at the center of my professional life through 35 years and several career pivots. I started in journalism, writing for newspapers across three states and becoming an award-winning journalist along the way. As the Internet emerged as a new medium, I turned my work toward online publications, websites, and business writing. Once my own children were in school, I pivoted into the classroom as a teacher, sharing my love of reading and writing with my students. After leaving the classroom, I turned to my passion for editing to books, working on nonfiction and self-help, among other genres.
I love finding just the right word or turn of phrase, figuring out how to say the same things in fewer words, and improving writing while maintaining the writer's voice. My work is best when you can't tell I've been there because the writer's voice remains strong and consistent while the text is clean and concise.
My process is collaborative from the start. I ask a lot of questions before I touch a word of your manuscript, because understanding who you are and what you're trying to accomplish is the foundation of everything. From there it's give and take—I offer suggestions, you push back, we figure it out together. At the end of the day, it's your book and your voice. My job is just to help you bring your best self to the page.
When I'm not editing, I'm in North Carolina, where I've lived for 25 years. My two sons are in college now, so I grab every chance I get to spend time with them. I'm a big sports fan—football, baseball, hockey, soccer, the X Games—I love watching athletic competition and getting to know the stories behind the athletes. You'll also find me kayaking, traveling, working a puzzle, or deep in a good book with my book club or writing group.
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