We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nycole Sinks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nycole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I firmly believe that relationships matter. Authors pour their hearts into their stories, and those stories inspire us, educate us, and carry us away to new worlds. Each story is unique. Special. Valuable. And each story deserves the knowledge and experience of an editor who understands and respects the author’s voice and vision for the story.

Unfortunately, there are too many situations in which authors have received editing services that didn’t enhance the prose or align with their vision for the story. Edits shouldn’t be viewed as one-size-fits-all, and I don’t believe in taking that approach with clients. Finding the right editor for you and your story is important. Relationships matter.

I often see the question, how do I find the right editor?

There are several factors to consider in that decision. First, you want to find an editor who specializes in your genre, and who offers the type of editing services you need.

You want an editor who is willing to talk with you before signing a contract. You want to understand their communication style and ensure it matches yours. Do they prefer phone calls, Zoom meetings, email, or text messages? Do they have specific business hours, and how quickly do they respond to questions?

What are their payment expectations? Do they require a deposit? When is the balance due? What forms of payment do they accept?

Do they offer sample edits, references, or examples of past work? What does their editing style look like, and does it align with your expectations?

Finally, you want an editor who will take time to evaluate the type of editing required to elevate your manuscript to the next level and offer a plan that aligns with your preferences and needs.

Relationships matter. Finding the right editor for your story matters. You want someone who is willing to listen, willing to respect your style and voice, and someone who is knowledgeable and skilled in the level of editing you seek. Sharing a story is personal, and you deserve an editor who is going to support you, encourage you, and challenge you as you refine your story into one your readers will love.

Nycole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a developmental editor, copyeditor, and proofreader. I also offer book coaching services to new authors. I started editing in 2019, partnering with small businesses on blog posts, marketing correspondence, and social media. From there I transitioned into editing manuscripts for indie authors and publishers.

Before jumping into the world of publishing, I worked in Christian education and have extensive experience in business and customer service. My diverse experiences allow me to approach editing from a unique perspective. I believe in building relationships with my clients to understand their goals and dreams. I see each author and each story as a valuable and integral part of the publishing space. Their story has purpose, and I get to help it shine. It’s truly an honor and privilege.

I specialize in Christian non-fiction as well as fantasy, clean romance, cozy mystery, and YA novels. I have always been an avid reader, and I count it a privilege to partner with authors to bring their stories to life.

Editing can take on many forms, but I believe first and foremost in collaboration. It is my job to share my knowledge of style guides and industry standards with an author as we shape their manuscript into the best version of itself, but those standards should never crowd out the author’s voice or vision for their story.

I offer suggestions and provide information to help the author make the best decisions for themself and their manuscript. I offer encouragement and support as they work through the refining process to bring their story to life. I have the opportunity to cheer, challenge, and uplift them each step of the way, and it is by far the best job I have ever had.

I want potential clients to know that I provide a safe, judgement free space to share their story and collaborate on the areas that can be enhanced and developed more thoroughly. I will share my experience and knowledge, but I will always defer to their preferences. After all, they are in charge of their story, and it’s their story that needs to be heard.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I just try to be myself. I learned long ago that honesty, integrity, and kindness go a long way. I won’t take an editing job if I’m not the right editor for that particular manuscript. I believe there is a “right fit” for each partnership, and I want each author to find the editor best equipped to elevate and refine their story.

I also believe in being a positive voice in the space I’m in, whether that’s on social media, at a conference, or one-on-one with a peer or client. The world is full of too much negativity. I want to uplift and encourage those around me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Prior to having my youngest daughter, I worked full-time as a director in Christian education. I loved my job, but it required long hours. When I was about eight months pregnant, I got sick. My doctor explained that it was due to stress and the strain of pregnancy on my body. It was at that time that my husband and I decided to reconsider my career plan. We determined that my health and the health of our child had to be the top priority. I resigned from my job and stayed home with our daughter who arrived pre-term, requiring a hospital stay before coming home.

That change allowed me to pursue my dream of partnering with authors and publishers as a collaborative editor. It’s a dream that God placed in my heart back in college, and watching it come to fruition has been so exciting and fulfilling. I love the authors and publishers I have had the privilege to partner with, and I am eagerly anticipating each new author and story I will have the opportunity to connect with in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.positive-proofing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiveproofing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nycolesinks-positiveproofing/