Deborah A. Cecere | Nonfiction editor for publishers, businesses, nonprofits, academic and cookbook writers
Working globally
- [email protected]
- Job title
- Copyeditor and Proofreader
- Membership Grade
- Professional Member
About Deborah A.
I'm an experienced nonfiction editor in the areas of narrative nonfiction, business, NGO, nonprofit, charity, academic, and food and cookbook writing.
US English is my primary language and German my second language.
I enjoy working with multilanguage writers and their original English or translated texts (German to English).
I'm trained to edit according to both US and UK English style conventions.
I have an advanced degree in cultural studies from a US university and 30+ years of publishing experience.
You’ll find me responsive to your editorial needs and budget, approachable, reliable—and if you appreciate New York humor—fun to work with as well.
Services
• Copyediting, Line Editing, Structural Editing
• Proofreading (mark up of PDF page proofs using Adobe tools)
• Editing within both US and UK English conventions
• Americanization
• Editing of translations from German to English
Subject Areas
• Narrative nonfiction (cultural studies, politics, history, food history, travel)
• Business, NGO, nonprofit, and charity publications and communications
• Cookery, cookbooks, food writing
• Academic writing (social sciences and the humanities)
Work experience
Narrative nonfiction and academic
• Copyediting nonfiction titles for Berghahn Books and Berghahn Journals, since September 2024
• Proofreading (mark up of PDF page proofs) for Hero Press, Imprints of the Legend Times Group, since February 2023
• Numerous nonfiction book titles with Newgen for the publishers Lived Places Publishing and Practical Inspiration Publishing, since February 2023 (US and UK English)
• Full-length articles and translated abstracts (average 14,000 words annually) for the online publication, Yearbook of the German Children’s Literature Research Society, 2018–2021
Business, NGO, nonprofit, and charity publications and communications
• Annual reports, presentations, position papers, white papers, and brochures for international NGOs and global business clients via Leinhäuser Language Services, since February 2023
• 4,800-word press release for Daimler AG, September 2018
Food writing and cookbooks (structural and line editing, copyediting, proofreading)
•Five Elements in the Kitchen: Recipes from My Friends in Chinese Medicine, Edited by Angelika-Marie Findgott, 2017–2019
Medicine and natural sciences (copyediting and proofreading)
• V. Fintelmann,Herbal Medicine, 3rd ed., November 2023
• M. Hofer,CT Teaching Manual, 5th ed., January 2021
• M. Hofer,Ultrasound Teaching Manual, 4th ed., August 2020
• 5,000-word article on the history of environmental science, September 2017
Fiction (developmental and line editing)
• 70,000-word YA magical realism novel Kama: Tell Me, What Does Your Heart Desire? by Ema R.W., self-published, 2018–2021
• 1,300-word short story for A Public Place (literary magazine), May 2018
Pre-editing and control of translation (German to English)
Controlled for completion, accuracy, terminology, localization as well as overall readability of approx. 80 specialty medical manuscripts for Thieme Publishers, Germany, 2006–2022
*Editorial training*
• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), Using Macros in Word, Parts 1 and 2, August 2024
• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), Efficient Editing: Strategies and Tactics, June 2024
• Cadman Training Service, Word styles and templates for PC, December 2023
• Denise Cowle Editorial Training, How to Mark Up PDF Page Proofs, March 2023
• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), Word for Practical Editing, December 2022
• Louise Harnby, Switching to Fiction, April 2021
• Publishing Training Centre (PTC), Essential Grammar, November 2020
• Louise Harnby, How to Write the Perfect Fiction Editorial Report, May 2020
• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), Editing with Word, April 2020
• Society for Editors and Proofreaders (now CIEP), Brush up your Grammar, March 2018
• Publishing Training Centre (PTC), Editing Fiction e-Learning Module, February 2018
• Publishing Training Centre (PTC), Certificate in Basic Editing (tutor-guided and graded), June 2017
• Publishing Training Centre (PTC), Certificate in Grammar at Work, February 2017
*Full-time regional sales and marketing manager*
Thieme Publishers, Stuttgart, Germany, 1990 to 2001
*Formal education*
Master of Arts (1987) in American Civilization with further graduate work in Museum Studies, New York University, New York, New York, USA
Bachelor of Arts (1978) in History, State University of New York at Cortland, Cortland, New York, USA
*Other language skills*
Fluent spoken German
Intermediate-level Italian
*Continuing professional development (CPD)*
Participated in Master-level seminars in cultural studies, translation studies, and literature as non-matriculant at Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany—semiannual semesters from 2010 to 2018—seminars were conducted in English
One-to-one Italian language instruction, in Sciacca, Italy, 2004–2009
*Memberships*
- Professional member, Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
- Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)
- American Copy Editors Society (ACES)
- American Studies Association (ASA)
- Modern Language Association (MLA)
*Personal interests*
Bike riding, photography, travel, history, politics
*Testimonials*
Working with Deborah is incredibly refreshing. She is not only extremely knowledgeable and meticulous when it comes to copyediting and proofreading; her passion for language also shines through in her work. Deborah takes each job seriously, no matter the subject matter or scope, asking intelligent and pointed questions to ensure that her customers receive the very best quality.
Abigail Keiper, Senior Division Manager, Content Creation and Writing Services, Leinhäuser Language Services GmbH
Deborah combines the best features of an excellent copyeditor: her schedules are realistic and she is always punctual, her attention to detail is superb and her suggestions are clear, constructive and extremely helpful. And her friendly, competent, and responsive manner makes working with her most enjoyable. I have no hesitation whatsoever in highly recommending Deborah’s copyediting services to anyone in academic publishing.
Prof. Emer O’Sullivan, Leuphana University Lueneburg, coeditor of the Yearbook of the German Children’s Literature Research Society
The professional editing skills that Deborah brought to my collection of recipes reflect her keen ability to maintain the unique styles of different authors, and yet to get the whole to read like “one voice.” There were errors and inconsistencies in the original manuscript which I hadn’t even noticed. And it was Deborah who made me aware of them and of the many requirements for writing a good and clear recipe: The differences between chopped, diced, and minced? Why did one contributor list ingredients almost randomly, while another listed them in the order used? Her “eagle eye” missed nothing! I was more than pleased with Deborah’s work. Without her my cookbook wouldn’t be the book it is now, and I wouldn’t be half as proud of the outcome.
Angelika-Marie Findgott, Editor, Five Elements in the Kitchen: Recipes from My Friends in Chinese Medicine, 2019
Working with Deborah on my very first YA novel has been phenomenal. We first worked on analyzing the story, where she searched for inconsistencies, plot holes, made a comprehensive character analysis, controlled the timeline and much more. It helped me develop my story into a version I could not have achieved without her guidance. Deborah's thorough and precise work in forms of series of questions made me understand my own story from different angles, especially as a reader. She has been a great mentor on my journey and is always ready to answer any questions I have about the plot, characters, scenes and even my general ability in writing. I would highly recommend working with Deborah because she isn't afraid to voice her opinion of the story you have and manages to provide space for you to decide. Deborah continues to provide a great balance of constructive criticism and much needed boost of confidence on a writer's lonesome journey.
Ema R.W., author of Kama: Tell Me, What Does Your Heart Desire? (self-published, February 2022)
Service(s)
Specialisms
Client types
Associated skills
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.