Hi! I’m Amanda Penn, a UCLA and UPenn grad with 16 years of professional writing, editing, and teaching experience, including four years as the managing editor at Shortform.

I’ve edited and written on a range of subjects, from science and health to history, pop culture, and business. My strength is structure: I turn collections of ideas into compelling narratives and cohesive arguments. My goal is to help you craft a book, essay, thesis, or report that clearly communicates your message and resonates with your readers.

Regardless of the service you choose, I offer:

• Experience: I’ve edited over 250 texts and coached over 60 writers and editors.

• Friendly support and enthusiasm: I believe the world needs your words, and I’m committed to helping you reach your audience.

• A passion for clear, impactful writing: I’ll help you clarify complex ideas, make abstract writing more concrete, and create text that’s smart, engaging, and actionable.

• Straightforward feedback: I’ll tell you where your book shines, where it’s weak, and how to move forward. You’ll know exactly what you need to do, and you’ll be excited to tackle the next stage of the project!

First time working with an editor? I love working with content experts and students who are new to professional writing. Please reach out!