Because writing is hard.
A Bit About Finch
Living in the Shenandoah Valley of VA with my pup, I spend my free time fretting over my garden, playing tabletop role play games, and fiddling with one of the many projects in my Bin of Forgotten Crafts.
Favorite Author: Jasper Fforde. He writes genre bending stories full of heart and wit.
Projects I am Excited About: I love YA, especially if it is Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or LGBTQ+. I was one of those insufferable nerds who read Shakespeare and Austen in high school, so I missed reading YA when I was a true "young adult." Making up for lost time I have entirely fallen in love with the genre.
What's with the name: "A Finch Merely" is an anagram of my full name!
Education & Experience
Professional Overview: While my work and studies has ranged from teaching Intro to College Composition to directing youth theatre, the through-line has been polishing. Whether it is refining how an actor says a line or how a thesis statement is written, I love to help people present their work better. I am passionate about empowering people's voices to tell their story. My range of experiences and training is a strength that helps me meet people where they are and speak to them in a way they can easily understand.
My studies: for undergrad I earned a BA in English with Teaching Certification. After undergrad, I went to grad school to earn two Masters degrees in Shakespeare (one Master of Letters and one Master of Fine Arts). I consider my English and Theatre degrees to effectively be degrees in written and oral communication.
My work: I have over six years of experience teaching and tutoring writing on the college level. I was a freelance staff writer for Shakespeare Magazine covering Shakespeare theatre events in the Northeast US. I have edited two books (indexing Salvation From Cinema by Dr. Crystal Downing and proofreading The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus edited by Dr. Paul Menzer). Additionally, I have three years of administrative work editing and developing procedures and protocols. In addition to fiction editing work, I have experience in tech and marketing copy editing as well.
