My name is Leah Rubin and I am Your Second Pen.

My story

A native of Chicago, I attended Bradley University in Peoria and then transferred to Hofstra University in New York, graduating from there with majors in English and Speech Arts. My first job was in the sales office of a New York trade magazine publishing firm. But wanting to teach what I had learned, I joined the United States Peace Corps and spent two years in South Korea teaching English, speech, and western culture to students, teachers, and forestry research workers. While there and immediately after, I had the amazing pleasure of traveling throughout Southeast Asia and parts of Europe.

Over the years, I have accrued a wide variety of work experience, but all requiring and utilizing the written and spoken word. From teaching English as a Second Language to American immigrants, Assistant Librarian, Meeting Planner, Legislative Assistant to a branch of the National Association of Realtors, high school’s Guidance Department Records Keeper and Scholarship Fundraiser to the Manager of a one-woman pottery gallery in Sedona, AZ, employers have depended on my spoken, written, and editing skills.

In 2016, and prior to a move to Tucson, AZ, I put the steps in motion to create my own business, Your Second Pen. I began a lengthy (and continued) process of education to hone my editorial skills. During the summer of 2017, my new computer and my business officially opened.

Next to the joy of spending forty-two years with the love of my life and raising three amazing and accomplished human beings with him, this new career has expanded my joy and has fulfilled my passion to provide one-on-one assistance to storytellers everywhere. My purpose is not just to correct, but to teach and guide those with the passion to write. And, as with everything I have ever done in my life, I do it with love, compassion, integrity, and perseverance.

AFFILIATIONS

·     Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)

. Member of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE)

. Member of the Professional Editors Network (PEN)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

. Masters Level course in Linguistics

. Writing, Universalclass.com

. Proofreading 101, Universalclass.com

·     Proofreading, EFA

·     Over the Copyeditor’s Shoulder, EFA

·     Beginning Copyediting, EFA

·     Intermediate Copyediting, EFA

·     Proofreading and Copyediting with the Chicago Manual of Style

·     Intro to Developmental Editing, (EFA)

·     Beginning and Intermediate Developmental Editing (8-week course), EFA

·     Editing Memoir Webinar, EFA

·     Editing Memoir , EFA

·     Business Basics, EFA

·     Making Accessible eBooks, EFA

·     Freelancing, EFA

·     Leveraging LinkedIn to Grow Your Freelance Business

. Expanding Your Freelance Business Conference

Editorial particulars

The Chicago Manual of Style (2017) and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2016) are my two main reference books, along with a myriad of other books regarding editing, grammar, and punctuation.

Computer particulars

I work primarily with Word’s Track Changes, but also have experience with Mac’s Pages and Google Docs.  In addition, I am willing to learn other methods of editing to accommodate and complete a project that doesn’t have a quick turn-around time. If necessary, I’m willing to work manually to edit a manuscript and/or type it, for an additional fee.

SKILLS

·      Highly organized

·      Works well without supervision

·      Excellent vocabulary and use of English language and punctuation

·      Proficient in Microsoft Word, including Track Changes and iMac’s Pages

·      Assuredly creative and detail oriented

·      Reliable and timely with all projects