Jennifer Oberth

 

Hello, my name is Jennifer Oberth. My mother started to read to me when I was in the womb, and I was hooked on stories from that moment forward. I’ve kept a journal since I was seven, completed my first novel when I was ten, and published my first short story in 2011.

I’m a lifetime member of the Sisters In Crime, a mystery writer’s organization, and served on the board of the Sisters In Crime Chicagoland chapter as the treasurer for two years. I also sat on the programming committee. Back in 2009, I was on the Why Join? panel at Love Is Murder, a popular writer’s convention. I regularly attend the Writer’s Police Academy, easily the best writer’s convention I’ve ever been to. I love National Novel Writing Month and have written 50,000+ words in the month of November for several years.

As a part of improving my own writing, I’ve joined writing groups and helped other authors by critiquing their work in the process. I’ve been critiquing other authors’ stories for years. I discovered that I have a knack for editing due to my attention to detail, my care for the works, and the fact that errors jump out at me. As a kid, I used to love finding a mistake in a traditionally published book, and now I can’t pass a billboard without spotting common blunders.

I believe it’s a necessity for independent authors to have their books as professional as possible. They should be indistinguishable from a traditionally published book (or whatever high level of quality you hold books to) and the good news is, you don’t have to do it yourself. You likely can’t, as you’re too close to your own work to see those pesky, sometimes persistent, problems. That’s where I come in.

My goal is to make your book the best it can be, without changing your voice, vision, or story. It’s my job to make your book stronger, smoother, and of the highest quality.

I love mysteries, and will read any genre except horror or erotica. I prefer to avoid novels with extreme violence, gore, or harm or abuse to animals or children. The style guide I go by is The Chicago Manual of Style – 16th Edition. I can’t wait to read your book!

 

Contact me now by clicking here.

 

What Jennifer's clients are saying:

 

"Jennifer proofread my 67,000-word mystery, Courage Resurrected, turning the project around in just a few days. When I submitted the book to her I felt good that the manuscript was almost ready for publishing. Was I wrong! Jennifer found numerous mistakes that I had overlooked because I had just gotten too close to the material. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style, an incredible eye for detail, a writer's sensibilities, and an engaging personality that makes her a pleasure to work with. I plan to use her as an editor for my next novel later this year. If you are a writer, I strongly encourage you to hire a professional editor and proofreader. They can make all the difference between a professional manuscript and an amateurish one. And, if you do look for an editor or proofreader, you should seriously consider Jennifer. Just don't book her when I need her to work on my next book!"

 

~  Scott Mackey, author of Courage Resurrected

 

"I have known Jenny Oberth for a year and a half since we first began a writing group at our public library. In that time, Jenny has not only critiqued my pieces, but has also edited my work, which has helped immensely since my background is neither in literature nor creative writing.

I have submitted five long fiction pieces to our writing group. Each time, Jenny has read and critiqued my work within the deadlines. Of the several writers who critique within our group, I go to Jenny's critiques first when I revise. Her editing skills are perfect, but what I appreciate most is that Jenny comprehends and evaluates with razor clarity. She understands the themes that I intended as well as my characters and the direction of my plot. Because of her clarity she has also been crucial in asking the right questions which have helped me address the holes in my writing. Jenny's critiques are honest and encouraging. Her intention is to make me a stronger writer, to make my pieces the best they can be." 

 

~   Julie Lehay, soon to be published author