laura.com

My Life as an Editor

My life as an editor began twenty-five years ago, when I was invited to edit the poetry section of a national progressive newspaper. A few years later, I joined the collective that ran New Words Bookstore, in Cambridge, MA, a redoubt of feminist writers, readers, and progressive thinkers from across the globe. Though I didn’t know it at the time, these endeavors began a career in “words” that would let me indulge my passion for literature and social justice, and also earn a living (more or less)—a rare privilege, indeed. Continuing this trajectory, in 2001 I co-founded and directed the Center for New Words, a hub of women’s writings, ideas, and activism, and then Women, Action and the Media (WAM!), a lively, influential annual conference for journalists, activists, and media-makers. Each of these projects catalyzes and cultivates writings of both acclaimed and up-and-coming authors, editors, poets, bloggers, and activists.

While running these word-based institutions, I retained a select group of freelance clients who used my editorial skills and guidance to complete a broad sweep of materials: novels, poems, articles, books, dissertations, texts, and nonprofit documents. These dedicated writers have won major literary and journalism awards, earned PhDs or, as organizers, gained financial support from foundations and donors.

Now I’ve decided to devote less time to running public projects and more to working directly with writers, journalists, poets, and nonprofit communications staffs. Beginning in late 2007, I will happily shift my focus more fully to the editing process.

My newly expanded freelance business is based in Cambridge, MA.

Please feel free to contact me at laurazim [AT] comcast [DOT] net.