One of the reasons I chose to pursue a career in publishing is that I love helping people achieve their goals. I’d like to say that as a copy editor (and proofreader and project manager), I take a manuscript in its raw form and transform it into a polished piece, marketable to the public and accurately reflecting the author’s voice. However, that transformation can not be achieved without communication with the author and the production team. Behind every traditionally published book, there are editors, designers, sales people, marketing staff, accountants . . . and an author working together to realize the author’s dream. Nothing can be achieved without partnership.

Recently, I experienced partnership in a different way. This month I volunteered my love of helping people realize their goals during the annual Habitat for Humanity Women Build, where I partnered with hundreds of volunteers to build two families’ dream homes.
Each family has a unique journey that brought it to Habitat. However, they all share a desire for homeownership and the stability and security that brings. More than three thousand volunteer hours, $170,000 fund-raised, and two intensive weeks of building later, that dream has been realized.

Partnership: It works with books. It works for people.