Long before I stepped into content strategy, I was elbows-deep in poems, page proofs, and slush piles. Editing books and literary journals is where I first learned how to preserve voice, sharpen meaning, and make every word count.
I’ve served as editor-in-chief of Venture, staffed the literary journal Salamander, and gone on to proof poetry collections, indie novels, and a nonfiction education memoir for the Stuart Foundation. These projects taught me the kind of precision and care that still shows up in everything I write and revise.
Ongoing
Editing portfolio
In 2018, I was hired by FableVision and the Stuart Foundation to proofread Wildflowers by Jonathan P. Raymond, which chronicles his tenure as superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District. Wildflowers details his journey into the joys and sorrows of leading a struggling public school system, and offers a clear, personal, and highly informative guide to transforming American education for the sake of the students.
My role was to preserve Raymond’s voice while ensuring accuracy and clarity and to polish the manuscript for publication and launch.
After our previous work together, poet and Salamander founding editor Jennifer Barber commissioned me to proofread her poetry collections: Given Away (Kore Press, 2012) and Works on Paper (The Word Works, 2016). These projects required precision and deep attention to form and rhythm, honoring her creative intent while ensuring editorial precision.
Between 2013 and 2014, I was hired to copyedit and proofread five romance novels by independent author Jacquelyn Ayres, all available on Amazon.
Working closely with the author, I helped refine character dialogue, pacing, and continuity while ensuring clean grammar and formatting across the series.
From 2007 to 2009, I served as an editorial intern at Salamander, where I proofread full-length issues, evaluated fiction submissions, and wrote reader reports. After graduation, I continued as a freelance proofreader for several issues, including 16.2 (pictured). This experience strengthened my literary editing skills and introduced me to long-form journal production workflows.
“As a freelance editor, Jess has offered Salamander quick project turn around and an exceedingly keen eye. We've been lucky to acquire her, fairly regularly, for our pre-press proofreads. She's not only a stellar proofreader, but also a savvy editor (her queries are excellent).”
— Heather M., former Managing Editor, Salamander
As editor-in-chief of Suffolk University’s student-run literary magazine, I led the publication of Venture during the 2008–2009 academic year, after three years on the editorial staff. I recruited and managed a team of 20 editors and designers, oversaw submissions and selection, and guided the editing and proofreading of fiction, poetry, and memoir. I also managed layout, coordinated production, and hosted the public launch event and live reading.
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©2025 Jess Huckins