About Authentic Voice Editorial.
Hi, I’m Rachel Porter (she/her), the editor behind Authentic Voice Editorial. Though I completed my UC San Diego Extension certification in copyediting in 2020, I’ve been an editor for over 25 years.
Key aspects of my story are probably pretty familiar: I’m a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman with chronic health complaints that severely limit my ability to participate traditional work as it exists in late-stage capitalism.
I started Authentic Voice Editorial as a place to both honor and explore my neurodivergence, because I cannot embody myself while continuing to mask. In order to thrive in my neurodivergent brain and body, I need both to follow and to respect my energy on any given day.
I want to support and affirm you in sharing your authentic voice.
Not only does my work as an editor allow me to care for and nurture myself, it also lets me support others to confidently and authentically share themselves with the world. I feel very privileged to take on this role, and hold great respect for both the process of editing and the people who entrust me with their words.
Authentic Voice Editorial is a space where writers and creatives of all neurotypes and identities can share their passions while feeling safe, accepted, encouraged, and supported.
My interests.
I love to learn and to explore. In addition to reading and writing, my special interests include history, the history of the ancient Mediterranean; baking and its history; sewing, embroidery, and textile arts and their history; beading and jewelry making; nature, gardening, herbalism, and the history of witchcraft; spiritual traditions; folk crafts and traditions; travel, languages, local food, and cultural traditions.
Check out my StoryGraph page to see what I’m reading. On my blog you’ll find tips for neurodivergent writers, musings about my experience as a neurodivergent creative, and deep-dives on some of my favorite hyperfixations.
My experience.
The written word is essential to my identity and to my interests. As a hyperlexic child, I was drawn to books and writing of all kinds, and that interest has only grown in the years since. I read every day, both to deepen my knowledge and to stay up-to-date on genre trends and traditions. You can check out what books I’ve read on my StoryGraph page.
I started editing the writing of my peers in high school and at university, and once I began working, I found myself editing manuals, guides, and procedures in every position I held. When I decided to pursue editing professionally in 2018, I found a job in the acquisitions department of an independent, well respected publishing house. This role gave me immense insight into what is required to publish a successful book. I still continue to assist this publisher with compiling and formatting their twice yearly book launch reports.
Being an editor allows me to authentically share my unique gifts with the world, including aspects of my identity and neurodivergence such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and knowledge of a broad variety of subjects.
My education.
Certificate in Copyediting
University of California, San Diego—Extended Studies
BA in History, with a focus on the ancient Mediterranean
University of California, Berkeley
Received honors on my senior thesis,
The Economies of Identity: The Cult of Isis and the Roman West in the First Two Centuries CEPhi Beta Kappa
Certificate in Baking and Pastry, California Culinary Academy
My values.
Human first.
Authentic Voice Editorial does not use AI in any capacity; all services are performed by a human (me) and are 100% AI-free.
Diversity and Inclusion.
Identity is complex and intersectional and I believe it should be celebrated as such; I value acceptance, diversity, and inclusion, regardless of how you identify. I do not tolerate discrimination, whether it be on the basis of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, sex, religion, marital status, disability, immigration status, citizenship, native language, country of origin, or neurotype.
Authenticity.
My goal at Authentic Voice Editorial is to foster authentic self expression. To this end, I value preserving your unique voice. I also value communicating with clients using kind, honest, and direct language.
Collaboration.
Authentic Voice Editorial shares an essential goal with its clients: to create a document that will effectively communicate your message to your target reader. To this end, I see the editing process as collaborative, and value communication and listening skills.
