Karen Hansen
Writing & Editing
Meet Karen
Writer & Editor | If I don’t know, I’ll find out!
Developmental Editing | Line/Copy Editing
Bio
I’m a writer, editor, runner and cat mom. A Midwest gal at heart, I now live in Washington, D.C. I’m half librarian and half actuary, so I approach writing and editing with equal eyes on the art and the science of communication.
Qualifications
I am an experienced editor of nonfiction with more than 10 years of professional editing experience in journalism, nonprofit communications, and civil rights education. I have completed specific coursework in fiction editing.
Courses
- Developmental Editing for Fiction | Editorial Arts Academy
- Intermediate Developmental Editing for Fiction | Club Ed
- Beginning Developmental Editing for Fiction | Club Ed
- Intermediate Editing | Poynter Institute
- Fundamentals of Editing | Poynter Institute
- Lead with Influence | Poynter Institute
Certificates
- Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing
- Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing
Memberships
- American Copy Editors Society
- Editorial Freelancers Association
Why work with me
🚩 I won’t tear you or your work down.
✅ I will identify any primary challenges to readers connecting with and loving your book. I’ll provide gentle, constructive feedback to help make your book even closer to your vision.
🚩 I won’t tell you that you must do or change anything.
✅ I’ll give you potential solutions you can implement if they work for you — or use to spark your own creativity and solutions that best fit your vision.
🚩 I won’t provide generic advice that doesn’t relate to your manuscript and where you are as an author.
✅ I will approach your book systematically as a reader and as an analyst. I will provide tips and suggestions for your manuscript and to grow your craft going forward.
🚩 I won’t simply run your work through grammar checking or AI software. I will not input your work into any AI software that stores or trains on the contents.
✅ I will use software tools to help with consistency and identifying potential issues. I will always individually review and assess tools’ suggestions based on my own expertise and analysis.
Looking for a writer or editor?
Let’s chat about how I can help you achieve your storytelling goals!
Karen Hansen
Writing & Editing