Cynthia Fleming-Wood: Medical & Technical Writer and Editor

CYNTHIA FLEMING-WOOD has over 20 yrs of experience as a technical writer and editor. Her technical aptitude has enabled her to understand and document software in a wide range of subjects, including networking, wafer etching, medical equipment, databases, and CAD/CAM. In addition, she has worked on medical research documentation, including the following subject areas: artificial heart-valves, carcinogenic substances, HIV, renal disease, psychology, and pediatric gastroenterology.

Cynthia creates technical information clearly, economically, accurately, and at an appropriate level for the audience. Her years of teaching make it easy for her to design documentation that meets the needs of the user.

As a technical editor, Cynthia is dedicated to correct grammar and usage and is especially skilled at making edits that maintain the author's original meaning. She also ensures that documents adhere to the adopted style manual. Consistency of presentation ensures a clear understanding of the subject matter.

Among the different types of technical documentation she creates are:

Quick start guides
User guides
System administrator guides
Online help
Process engineering guides
External design specifications

Publishing and Authoring Tools:
FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat Professional, WebWorks Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, Visio

Operating Systems:Windows XP, Windows 2000, UNIX, Linux,
Other Tools: Documentum, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, FileMaker Pro

Technical Communication (writing and editing)
Medical - Telecommunications - Science

Areas of expertise:

RoboHELP (Classic and HTML), WebHelp, HTML Help
Word, FrameMaker, Interleaf
Information Mapping
Windows (2000, NT, and XP Professional), UNIX, DOS, and OS/2 operating systems
UNIX shell script and C programming course work

Principal Technical Writer, Nortel Networks
Wrote online Help and user guides for several software and hardware products, including wireless, VoIP, and web collaboration applications. Served as online Help mentor for different organizations throughout Nortel.

Principal Technical Writer, Parametric Technology Corp.
Converted a 75,000-topic Help system to RoboHELP. Trained writers nationwide on the use of RoboHELP. Project leader for CADDS 8.0 and subsequent releases, coordinated the efforts of 14 writers in Pune, India. Created online Help for PRO/Engineer Molding and Piping applications.

Principal Technical Writer, Digital Equipment Corp.
Wrote online Help files and multimedia tutorials for a variety of PC network products. Wrote lessons for the IDS online tutorial. Wrote a "live" demo of the WorkGroup Web Forum, a collaborative tool that runs on the internet.

Principal Technical Writer, Bachman Information Systems
Lead writer for BACHMAN/GroundWorks Release 5.1. Revised the BACHMAN/GroundWorks five-book set for Release 5.1. Wrote documents that included the Shared Work Manager Administrator Guide, and the General User Quick Reference. Designed and implemented an online Help system.

Manager, Computervision Corporation
Managed the EDM/Cross Applications documentation group of 11 writers (5 in Pune, India), an editor, and an illustrator. Planned projects, assigned work, reviewed documents, wrote and administered performance reviews, and assigned salary increases.

Principal Technical Writer
Planned and implemented changes to the CAD/CAM documentation sets. Tracked enhancements to the UNIX operating system. Led group in documentation set design. Ensured that formats and standards remained consistent throughout the set.

Senior Technical Editor, Thermo Electron Corporation
Researched and wrote proposals and reports for medical projects in artificial heart valve research. Worked with a team of physicians, technicians, and engineers to study and report effects of various polymers as coatings for artificial heart valves. Studied commonplace substances to determine carcinogenic effects. Documented the use of the TEA Analyzer, which measured substances for carcinogenic agents.

Education
BME, in Voice, concentration in English, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Patents and Awards
Installing and Using the License Manager - included in the patent of the License Management System (see Computervision)
Pathworks Online Tutorial - Achievement Award, Society for Technical Communication

Professional memberships
Society for Technical Communication
American Medical Writers Association

Feedback

"Cynthia is a very professional writer who makes the client feel that she understands the subject deeply. She makes recommendations without being intrusive. In other words, she is always part of the production, but only to enhance it. Her commitment to the projects lets the client know that she is a partner. She is efficient and responds quickly. She is the best scientific writing partner I have ever had!" -- Marie Leiner, PhD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

"Cindy has done the copy editing for two journal papers I have written (both Human-Computer Interaction related). I was really happy with the quality of her work. Everything was arranged quickly and accurately. This was very helpful, as we needed to work with tight deadlines. Our correspondence about the work was always pleasant and professional." Geke van Dijk, Department of Computing, Open University, UK

Department of Biological Sciences
527 Choppin Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

July 11, 2006

Dear Ms. Fleming-Wood,

Subject: Letter of thanks

This spring I realized that finding a technical writing editor could benefit me in two ways: first I could presumably produce higher quality writings and secondly I could understand the changes made by the technical writing editor and learn how to write clearer and more concise.
In early April I began searching for a technical writing editor by contacting a couple of biochemistry journal organizations that I anticipate submitting manuscripts to in the future. To my surprise I quickly received replies from qualified editors. I spoke with a couple before talking to Ms. Fleming-Wood. After speaking to Ms. Fleming-Wood I was certain I wanted to work with her. Not long thereafter I found that we had formed a professional relationship and I anticipate it to be a lasting one. Moreover, Ms. Fleming-Wood has offered reasonable rates for her editing.
Unfortunately, most of my writing has to be done quickly and a timely turn around is absolutely essential. Ms. Fleming-Wood has repeatedly accommodated me in this regard by providing an especially speedy return of my writings.
Ms. Fleming-Wood has also noticeably improved my writing. I am always eager to see the revisions of my writings. After reading a revision it appears so polished I find myself second guessing having been the creator; it is only through recognition of form and facts that I am reminded I had something to do with the body of work. When I present my writings to my wife for comparison, both before and after editing, my wife notes that Ms. Fleming-Wood has noticed oversights that we never knew where actually errors- she’s that good. Furthermore the readability is improved tremendously.
My reason for writing this is in recognition of her good work, and to her I would like to say, "Thanks, Cindy".

Sincerely,
Brian K. Benson
Graduate Student
Louisiana State University

Submission

Please fill out this form to request a quote

Cut and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail:

2008@book-editing.com

Required:
Submit a sample of your book manuscript or story (Word/DOC or RTF attachment preferred). The sample should be 5-50 pages. Large files should be zipped. Attachment not required if writing has not started (e.g., because you're looking for a ghostwriter).

Along with a sample, the following information is required. Ignore questions that do not apply to your project (e.g., footnotes).

(01) Word count of complete project (under "Tools" in MS Word):

(02) Put your 100-word (approx) synopsis/description here (or attach):

(03) Describe your genre and topic (e.g., nonfiction/self-help, science fiction, horror, romance, mystery, Western, young adult, children, poetry, Christian, creative nonfiction, literary):

(04) Deadline date, if any, for return of complete project. (Please be realistic. Remember that professional editors usually have a project in process.):

(05) If you have no immediate deadline, when do you want to start the editing process?: (For instance: within 30 days, within 60 days, within 90 days, 4-12 months)

(06) Level of editing desired/expected --

Copyediting / Proofreading / Line Editing (e.g., English corrections, typos, paragraph and sentence structure, word use)
Developmental (e.g., help with the big picture, such as flow/pacing, telling the story, characterization, structure, style)
Rewriting / Ghostwriting
Critique / Evaluation

(07) Number of charts/tables/pictures (if any):

(08) Writing style/format manual (e.g., Chicago Manual, APA, MLA), if applicable:

(09) Number of footnotes/references:

(10) Do you have a contract with an agent or publisher?:

(11) Do you plan to self-publish?:

(12) What is your budget for the entire project? $ ________________

(13) Your name:

(14) E-mail addresses:

(15) Day/evening phone numbers (required -- in case the response to your e-mail bounces or the editors need clarification regarding the scope of service needed, deadline, etc.):

(16) City, State, Country (or time zone):

(17) The name(s) of the editor(s)/writer(s) you'd like to contact.
(If no names are selected, your e-mail will be sent to several consultants chosen by the coordinator):

(18) How did you learn about our service?:

(19) Attach writing sample(s) (e.g., prologue, chapter 1, proposal, query)

Notes:

No hidden charges
We won't quote you one price and charge you another. When possible, we'll provide you with a per-word or per-page rate so you'll know up front exactly how much your project will cost. (Of course, we ask that you fairly represent the scope of your project.)

To learn more about the rates charged by professional editors, please see: Editorial Freelancers Association

It is a mistaken notion that freelance editors work "on spec" (speculation) with no payment to the editor. It is basically asking the editor to work for free. There's no guarantee that a book will see a profit (or even be published). The editors posted here do not work on spec.

LIVE AGENT

Note: Price quotes and time estimates for individual editors cannot be given over the phone or via chat. This is a network of freelance editors with varying prices and work schedules (see our FAQ). To obtain a price quote please follow the procedures listed on our quotes page. Contact live support if you do not receive a response within three hours. It is possible that your submission was not received. You may also page the network coordinator by leaving voicemail or sending a fax to 469-789-3030.

Please be as complete as possible in representing your project's scope and size so you will receive the most accurate estimate.

Disclaimer: Your agreement, whether oral or written, is with your freelance editor / proofreader / writer, not with the freelance network as a whole or its coordinator.