Dara Syrkin Editorial Services
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Dara S. Syrkin

Effective editor committed to the teamwork required to create compelling, polished content. Dedicated to fostering a writer’s success. 
Devoted to the power of story and style sheets.  

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
  • Understanding an author’s voice 
  • Understanding an organization's voice
  • Asking writers leading questions to reveal the heart of the story
  • Editing for ease of reading via proper grammar and punctuation 
  • Editing for clarity of story, evolution of characters, accuracy, and flow
  • Managing multiple priorities
  • Setting and meeting deadlines
  • Developing and adhering to style guides
  • Acting as cheerleader for writers during the editing process
  • Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style and The Associated Press Stylebook

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
  • Providing manuscript review for Tess Galati's collection of poetry, Holy Trinity: Maiden, Mother, Crone   
  • Serving as editor for
    Ted King's collection of short stories, the Dishwasher, the Dancer, and the Subatomic Particle, and his latest book of poetry, Fresh Dirt.
    D.B. Moon's novel He's Either Dead or in St. Paul, a 2015 Minnesota Book Award finalist 
    Lee Henschel Jr.'s novel The Sailing Master
    ​Lori L. Lake's novel Jump the Gun
  • Serving as substantive and copy editor for Kate Hallett Dayton's poetry collection Salt Heart
  • Serving as substantive editor for first-time novelist at Regal Crest Enterprises; learning and educating about point of view, setting the scene, dialogue, and character development to help create a well-paced, captivating book
  • Editing articles for A View from the Loft; discussing with authors the objective of the piece, organization, tone, and word choice—assuring audiences are served and writers are shown in their best light
  • Editing content for specialty fabric magazine websites, refining ability to find the nugget, reach multiple audiences, and follow in-house style sheets 
  • Reading submitted material as part of acquisition team for Nodin Press
  • Proofreading short stories for Coffee House Press 
  • Acting as coach and substantive editor for memoir writer commenting on tone, pacing, organization of book​
  • Proofreading, copy editing and writing marketing materials and establishing brand voice for Thrivent Financial and clients of Hanley Wood Marketing

CAREER HISTORY

Freelance editor, proofreader, and writer, 2011–present; includes contract employment with Industrial Fabrics Association International, Hanley Wood Marketing, and Thrivent Financial
Associate Director of Communications and editor of A View from the Loft, The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2002–2011

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EDUCATION

Gustavus Adolphus College, BA environmental studies
University of Aberdeen, study abroad
Hennepin Technical College, carpentry diploma

MEMBERSHIP

Professional Editors Network

OTHER PASSIONS

Reading books that make me dog-ear pages
Connecting people to resources
Collecting found phrases
Commuter bicycling
Gardening
Listening to elders tell stories

SOME BYLINES AND PUBLICATION SPOTS

Short-short story in Ride 3, anthology about riding bicycles, 2016

​Poetry in Nodin Poetry Anthology, 2015

"Let's get personal," Marine Fabricator magazine, March 2014
The latest graphics techniques meet customers' personalization desires and fabricators' market expansion needs.

"Manage the 'tipping point,'" Fabric Graphics magazine, May 2013
Janine Trutna of Big Ink Display Graphics looks at the total cost of ownership.

"New trends in marine fabrics," Marine Fabricator magazine, March 2013
Customers want bright, new fabrics—but providers are cautious not to be victimized by "trends."

"Fabric products aid home health care," Specialty Fabrics Review, September 2012
From fashionable compression garments to bedding to textiles that tell temperature, fabrics play an important role in keeping people well at home.
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