Meet Erin Arcand | Developmental Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Arcand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I love this question, because it is so important to me that I am making a positive contribution in some way with the work I do. I was a social worker for 15 years before I became an editor, and felt like I was making a difference every day. Unfortunately, though I loved so much about that work, burnout caused me to step away and reflect on what was important to me. I had young kids and felt like I wasn’t showing up for them the way I wanted to. I was doing good work in the community, but I was exhausted and didn’t have much left to give my kids when I got home. This realization came just before the pandemic, and the silver lining of Covid for me was the time to reflect and pivot. I was able to focus and earn a certification in developmental editing (around helping the kids with remote learning), which has allowed me to be present for my family while also doing a job I love.

Now I spend my days helping writers tell the best stories they can! My focus is middle grade manuscripts (books written for kids between the ages of 8 and 12) both because I LOVE middle grade fiction, and because I know what an impact books can have on kids in this age range. Developmentally, this is when kids start thinking about themselves outside of their family unit, and about who they want to be in the world. Middle grade books tackle important subjects like friendship, bullying, standing up for yourself and others, family relationships, etc. But many of them also talk about bigger issues like racism, sexuality, trauma, and living with a disability. I love that books can be mirrors (readers see their own lives reflected in the story) or windows (readers get the chance to see lives and stories different from their own). Being exposed to other perspectives is so important
– especially at this critical age – and I truly think that books can inspire empathy and understanding in a significant and meaningful way. Helping these stories make it out into the world is a privilege, and I still feel like I am making a positive contribution albeit in a different way than I did as a social worker.

As a bonus, I can do my job from anywhere – we are currently spending time in Portugal, which has been amazing for our whole family! Helping my kids become global citizens is so important to me, and I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to do so. Plus I get to wander through Portuguese book stores, which is the coolest!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think middle graders as an audience often get overlooked, so I love that I get to be a bit of a champion for books and authors who focus on that age group. Kids are really starting to explore longer texts and more challenging concepts, and many are voracious readers who need more amazing reading material!

I also feel especially able to help clients who are writing for young people because my focus as a social worker was working with kids and families. I have a great foundation in child development and family dynamics, and experience with kids within a wide age range. I have a good feel for what will connect with kids and what misses the mark, whether it be dialogue that doesn’t quite ring true or a scene that is too scary or adult (or the opposite – too babyish) for the intended audience.

My biggest challenge as a business owner is marketing. As an introvert, I struggle with putting myself out there! I haven’t quite figured out what works best for me, but I’m getting better! I do love connecting with writers, so much of my business comes through conferences and online writing groups.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our family likes to spend a lot of time outdoors, so if we had a visitor we would make sure to show them the beautiful landscapes we have near Denver! We would: – check out Redrocks Amphitheater
– hike in Roxborough State Park
– take a boat out on Chatfield Reservoir
– do a day trip to Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
– visit Rocky Mountain National Park
– go to a Rockies game

Our favorite spots to eat are Snooze and Toast for breakfast, and for lunch or dinner we love Wash Park Grill, Farmhouse Restaurant at Breckenridge Brewery, Angelo’s Taverna, and Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria

And of course we would visit Union Station for the fun atmosphere and some delicious cocktails!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My number one supporter has always been my husband, Stephen! He encouraged me to follow my heart from day one, and was the sole earner for our family while I took classes and slowly built my business. I’m so grateful for his unwavering faith in me!

Jennifer Lawler was such an amazing mentor as I was learning the craft of developmental editing. Her teaching style was clear and comprehensive, and her feedback was detailed and kind. I learned so much, and every minute was a joy!

My kids think my job is “so cool” which keeps me motivated even when things are slow, and Kellie McIntyre was the first writer to let me work on a real manuscript, and gave me invaluable feedback as we worked together. Her book, The Passport Project, will always have a special place in my heart!

Website: https://www.grayowlediting.com/

Image Credits
Kathleen Peachey (1st photo)