In addition to copyedits, I am happy to answer realism questions in the areas of my academic pursuits, career experiences, or assorted life experiences. I understand that sometimes writers want first-hand knowledge to make characters real.
I studied Animal Science and Agro-business, as well as World Religions and Christian Ministry. I love learning, however, so I continued to take various courses in my free time after completing my degrees. Some of my courses are listed below. If you are writing military, ranch, or outdoors-loving characters, I have expertise for your book.
I served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq, I was stationed in one of Saddam Hussein's palaces where I worked with members of various international intelligence agencies and high-level military officials. I traveled within Iraq via helicopter, accompanied by Army Special Forces. I analyzed the feed provided by various drones (the MQ-1 Predator, RQ-11 Raven, and the MQ-9 Reapers) to determine potential threats, enemy movement and activity. My pattern detection became the standard taught at the Army School of Intelligence.
If you are writing about weaponry, I am well-versed in the M4A1 carbine, as well as the M16 rifle and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, the M2A1 .50 caliber machine gun, the M240B 7.62mm medium machine gun, and small arms (pistols). I also practice Historical European Martial Arts, specifically the longsword.
I have gone skydiving, and I am an avid kayaker, zipliner, and hiker.
I've traveled to South Africa, Guatemala, Haiti, Canada, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, China, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Within the United States, I've lived in the south (North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia), the Midwest (Kansas and Missouri), the Southwest (Arizona), the West Coast (California), and Texas.
I've traveled by military helicopters (CH-47F Chinook and the UH-60 Blackhawk), and I've lived in Japan and England, as well as military bases in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am currently in a long-term committed relationship with Melissa (who is a novelist, graphic novel writer, and picturebook writer).
After growing up a "military brat" whose parents and siblings were military members or contracted to the Department of Defense, Amber became an Army Intelligence Analyst, whose work included high-profile intel analysis in Iraq and Afghanistan and even tracking a serial killer.
She has degrees in Animal Science (B.S.) and Ministry (M.A.), as well as assorted courses in Data Analytics, Conservation Biology & Environmental Sustainability, and Copyediting. Her former jobs included work for veterans affairs, financial crime analysis, and security work. She can also read texts for factual accuracy in the above areas, as well as sensitivity reads in LGBQ matters.
If you or an author you know is in need of her services, please reach out to Amber at:
Amber.L.Elrod @ gmail. com
STANDARD COPYEDIT INCLUDES CHECKING FOR:
I read many genres--thriller, UF, fantasy, cozy mystery, romance (straight & lesbian), YA (fantasy and contemporary), and nonfiction.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS (not in order!):
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel II
Microsoft Access
Environmental Sustainability
Grammar and Punctuation
Intermediate Grammar and Punctuation
Animal Science
Livestock Techniques (Animal Science)
Anatomy & Physiology (Animal Science)
Nutrition (Animal Science)
Dairy Cattle Production & Management (Animal Science)
Equine Production & Management (Animal Science)
Swine Production & Management (Animal Science)
Livestock Genetics(Animal Science)
Principles of Biology
General Chemistry I & II
Principles of Economics: Micro
Principles of Economics: Macro
Agricultural Accounting
Agricultural Law and Policy
Reproductive Physiology of Domestic Animals
Introduction to Agribusiness
Livestock Selection and Evaluation I & II
African Religions
Introduction to Religion
Introduction to Old Testament
Introduction to New Testament
Intercultural Communication
Small GroupMinistries
Family Discipleship
Systematic Theology I & II
Discipleship Ministries
Contemporary Evangelism
Multiculturalism
INTRODUCTORY COPYEDIT FEE:
Under 65k words: $150
Under 95k words: $200
NOTE: All jobs booked before March 1st will be completed at this rate.
READ FOR REALISM ONLY:
Under 85k words: $100