Content Runner is happy to introduce our newest addition to the in-house editing team: Amanda Nelson. Amanda has an eagle eye for details and the most infectious giggle I’ve ever heard. I sat down with her this week to ask her a few questions and get to know her a bit better. Our conversation has been very lightly edited for clarity and length.

Tawny: Well hello. Thanks for taking the time to come into this other, separate room to talk to me, for normal reasons.

Amanda: My pleasure! I only had to shift a couple hundred things.

I know this makes for a dramatic shift from sitting approximately eight feet to my left. Speaking of dramatic shifts, this segue! What drew you to editing?

What a charmer :)

Our newest Editor, Amanda Nelson!

I guess I was always a bit of a nerd in school. One of those kids who actually enjoyed the English homework that required you to name the different parts of a sentence, find the right punctuation, and rearrange the words so there was better flow. I remember reading books as a child, and even reading them now as an adult, and thinking, “This is pretty good, but I can make it better.” I know. Super humble. But on a serious note, I have a passion for the written word and a passion for helping people. One plus the other led me to editing.

TRULY A NOBLE CALLING. Not that I’m biased, as a fellow editor. [Editor’s Note: I winked. It was very charming. You had to be there.] What would you say is the most challenging part of your job here? And dealing with me doesn’t count.

I’d say the most challenging part of the job is also one of the best parts of the job. There is a constant need to juggle responsibilities and tasks so they all fit into a given time frame. That’s often easier said than done. The puzzle is fun for me, keeps me thinking, keeps me always on my toes and looking forward to the next project.

That’s a great answer. Plus, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anyone edit en pointe before. Haha. That’s a ballerina pun. [Editor’s Note: I made uncomfortable eye contact and forced a laugh until she joined in the laugh.] I find that most people who profess a passion for the written word are avid readers. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

That’s a hard one! I’ve read so many good books that it’s hard to find new stuff I like. My standards are… well, they’re standards, I suppose. I wish I could say I’m a closet romance fan, but there’s nothing secret about my love of Nora Roberts. Any of the In Death books by J.D. Robb are amazing. I have a major crush on the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I discovered that one in my troubled teen years and we’ve been together ever since. I’m also a fan of some fantasy and sci-fi series…

Now that I think about it, I suppose I don’t have favorite books so much as I have favorite authors. Once I find a writing style I like, I tend to devour the whole collection. As for individual books I’ve read recently, though, that would have to go to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I’m still in the middle of it, but so far I’m loving it!

Ooh, that’s one of my favorites, actually. Well, you’re doing a bang-up job so far, Amanda. Thanks so much for everything you do, but also for agreeing to be subjected to my bizarre conversation. Any parting remarks for your adoring audience?

Oh my…I have an adoring audience? How delicious. Hmm. I suppose the most important thing I’ve found, for life in general, is that pursuing your passions is almost always the right choice. If you do what you love and love what you do, you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.

Great advice. Thanks again, Amanda! And thanks to you, for reading! If you have any questions, comments, hilarious cat gifs or ice cream cones to share, let us know in the comments!