Petya K
Northfield, United States
“Less is more—the power of conciseness.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
MA in Music Theory
Northwestern University
2008–2009
BA in Music Performance and Pedagogy
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
1995–1999
Favorite referencing style
The Chicago Manual of Style and APA referencing are my favorites. They are the first ones I used and are logical and widely used.
Why I became an editor
I have always been fascinated with words, grammar, and writing. Throughout my career as a musician and teacher, I came across several opportunities to proofread, which made me realize how much I loved it and how it gave me a sense of purpose and belonging. I shifted my focus to proofreading and indexing, aiming to master the art of language and to help others discover the power of words.
Background and experience
In 2018, I proofread the book Child Composers in the Old Conservatories by Robert O. Gjerdingen. I am responsible for proofreading and writing digital and printed material for BK Dental. I proofread and light-edit content for a church website. In 2017–2018, I proofread music notation in collaboration with music theory scholars from the US and Europe, and I have worked as a music librarian and French horn player.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I love helping others to express themselves in the most concise and effective way. It brings a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and belonging. A fascinating aspect of proofreading and editing is that I have to combine technical knowledge and personal values with the author's voice. I feel especially drawn to works on medicine, Christianity, music, and art. I am familiar with APA referencing and Chicago.
Favorite book:
Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
Hobbies:
I find it relaxing to browse the internet.
Editing tips:
My first task is to gather information about the purpose of the document and its targeted audience. Having a checklist is a must, and I like to skim read it to sense the tone and overall issues.