professional development – Kristin Houlihan, Writer

Big Steps

As many of you know, I just moved with my family across the country. There have been big changes for our family, and as a result I’ve been quiet as a blogger and as an editor. I had to turn down a few really great projects earlier this year because there just wasn’t time – I needed to focus on my family and our move. We’ve been here a little over two months now, and we’re busier than ever but we’re also making more time for me to return to editing and blogging. SO here are a few things I’m up to:

1 – Today is the first day I have a babysitter here with the little two while the big two are at school so I can get some dedicated work time during the day. It’s a big thing for me to have someone watch my kids, even if I am just upstairs…

2 – I joined the Editorial Freelancers Association! I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and finally just did it. I now have access to their courses at a discounted rate, I’m listed in their freelancer database for potential clients to find me, and I have access to their job board. ALSO I now have access to many, many colleagues from whom I can learn a ton. I’m excited!

3 – I’m working with an indie author on his book, copy editing to help prepare for submission to agents. I have been doing smaller projects recently (and still am!) and I’m SO excited to be working on a book again.

I have a lot of ideas of where I want to go with this — too many to fit into the time I have, of course, so I have to talk myself down every once in a while before I get myself committed to more than I can reasonably accomplish. For now, though, I’m going to have two dedicated mornings a week to edit — and time to do things like figure out how on earth to fix that EFA Member badge you see there on the sidebar all the wrong size (except I’ll probably just call in my IT department, aka my husband!).

Thanks for reading and supporting me. And if you know anyone in need of an editor, send them my way!

Weekend Coffee Share – Bedrest Edition

Hello friends,

So this is my first time participating in “Weekend Coffee Share,” hosted by Eclectic Alli, but I’ve been reading and enjoying Thomas Fenske‘s weekend shares for a while and started following the tag a few months ago. SO I thought now is a good time to join.

SO – if we were having coffee together this weekend, and I wish we were because it is LONELY in here, I would have to tell you that I am on bedrest with Baby #4. This isn’t my first rodeo (I did this with Baby #2 as well), but this time around I have a job outside the home and THREE kids, not one! Thankfully, I have the most wonderful husband in the world who takes great care of me and the kids! Also, a positive this time – I’m not also dealing with perinatal depression and anxiety this time around. It makes things much easier to handle!

I would assure you that despite being frustrated, I am doing well and so is Baby – as long as I continue to take the super crappy meds they gave me to stop contractions (every 8 hours I get basically knocked out for 2-3 hours) and I sit my bottom right here on my couch, the little guy should stay in there for quite a bit longer. Which he needs to do because I’m only 29 weeks today.

So WHAT am I doing with my time (besides sleeping each time I take a dose of meds)? When I was on bedrest five years ago I learned to knit, read a lot, and made a latch-hook rug. This time I’m betareading, hoping to work on some editing projects, catching up on some book reviews, reading books, and doing some professional development in the way of watching some Great Courses on English and the publishing industry. While also stalking Craigslist for a used Citi Mini Double Stroller or else HOW are we going to make it to the bus stop every day once this baby is born? I missed one for $90 the other day – an amazing price because these things retail for like $450 (eek!).

So, that’s my story! I have some amazing family, friends, and coworkers who have been checking in on me, dropping by food and the mail, and keeping me company. I’m trying to enjoy the quiet before the kids are back and there’s NO quiet – but I do miss the munchkins!

Enjoy your weekend, friends! I’ll be right here on my couch, keeping my little baby safe and secure!

So, I copyedited a magazine! Check it out!

Hello friends!

I’ve been meaning to pop in here and share some news but… life. There just hasn’t been time! But now I’m here and I’d like to share with you my first magazine copyediting credit!

I signed on with Endurance Sports and Fitness magazine to copyedit the July/August 2018 issue, which was published early last week; the plan is to continue as copyeditor as long as the owner/publisher and I are mutually happy with the arrangement. Here’s the cover of the issue:

This was an awesome opportunity for me, was a lot of fun, and taught me a lot! I am not an endurance athlete (and certainly have never been a runner), but you don’t need to be to enjoy the articles and there’s a lot in there applicable to other sports (I WILL someday be a climber again. after birthing and nursing baby #4?).

I also got some great experience with AP Style, which I hadn’t edited previously. I’m a nerd, though, and enjoy learning and following style guides…SO, win-win! Experience – check! Fun – check! Plus – extra cool: my name is in there on the second of the two Table of Contents pages. It says, “Copyeditor: Kristin Houlihan.” AWESOME.

In any case, I’m beginning to ramble so I’ll leave it here. Here are some links for you:

To check out some articles from the magazine and past issues: https://www.endurancesportsandfitness.com/

To subscribe (digital-only or print, or buy single issues): https://shopendurancesportsandfitness.com/

You can also follow Endurance Sports and Fitness on Twitter: @EndurSportsFit