Eliot West, PhD
they/them
I am an independent editor and educator serving creators who care about inclusivity.
A literary scholar, romance fan, and incorrigible nerd, I’ve spent my life smitten with—and studying and teaching about—stories and language. I see narrative and play as deeply human activities that connect us to delight and curiosity, to ourselves, and to each other.
Knowledgeable and passionate about inclusive language, I have particular interests in gender diversity, human sexuality, consent, and trauma and healing—a knowledge base that informs my edits and queries. In addition to stories that follow a traditional linear form, I have extensive experience with interactive fiction, specifically working on novel-length, text-based digital choose-your-own-adventure games in romance and fantasy.
I’m also fundamentally a teacher, a role I’ve found myself performing my whole adult life in a surprising range of contexts: in a slew of college literature and writing classrooms, at a creative writing camp, in conference presentations and Q&As, at a library reference desk, in workshops for writers and editors, one-on-one with clients, and more. In every case, I aim to support creators in realizing their particular visions and growing in their craft--and to advocate for readers through a commitment to inclusive language and storytelling.
I believe that editing is (or at least can be!) a form of teaching, and that all of these interactions are best approached not only with loads of knowledge to share but also in a spirit of empathy, curiosity, and collaboration. And when you get right down to it, that’s what I love most about the work I do!
My many other great loves include: Schitt’s Creek and She-Ra, Maintenance Phase and Fated Mates, knitting, coffee, nature photography, gardening, our small yet gloriously big-eared dog, and wombats.
I'm also reliable, prompt, and a pleasure to work with!
A literary scholar, romance fan, and incorrigible nerd, I’ve spent my life smitten with—and studying and teaching about—stories and language. I see narrative and play as deeply human activities that connect us to delight and curiosity, to ourselves, and to each other.
Knowledgeable and passionate about inclusive language, I have particular interests in gender diversity, human sexuality, consent, and trauma and healing—a knowledge base that informs my edits and queries. In addition to stories that follow a traditional linear form, I have extensive experience with interactive fiction, specifically working on novel-length, text-based digital choose-your-own-adventure games in romance and fantasy.
I’m also fundamentally a teacher, a role I’ve found myself performing my whole adult life in a surprising range of contexts: in a slew of college literature and writing classrooms, at a creative writing camp, in conference presentations and Q&As, at a library reference desk, in workshops for writers and editors, one-on-one with clients, and more. In every case, I aim to support creators in realizing their particular visions and growing in their craft--and to advocate for readers through a commitment to inclusive language and storytelling.
I believe that editing is (or at least can be!) a form of teaching, and that all of these interactions are best approached not only with loads of knowledge to share but also in a spirit of empathy, curiosity, and collaboration. And when you get right down to it, that’s what I love most about the work I do!
My many other great loves include: Schitt’s Creek and She-Ra, Maintenance Phase and Fated Mates, knitting, coffee, nature photography, gardening, our small yet gloriously big-eared dog, and wombats.
I'm also reliable, prompt, and a pleasure to work with!
education
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I have a number of English lit degrees, most recently a PhD with a focus on literary theory and twentieth- and twenty-first-century British novels. In my academic life, I produced a body of work focused on narrative form—which is fancy talk for how stories work—and taught literary studies and composition courses for a decade.
A longtime voracious reader when it comes to genre fiction, writing craft, and developments in English usage (with special attention to inclusive language), I’ve also taken courses and attended conferences on a variety of topics in editing. I am not only committed to but downright enthusiastic about keeping my skills up to date through continuing education. |
