“I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma.
In the afternoon I put it back again.” –Oscar Wilde
“Oscar Wilde realized the importance of good punctuation. For you, the process will go
a lot quicker and be far less laborious.” –Flo Selfman
In the afternoon I put it back again.” –Oscar Wilde
“Oscar Wilde realized the importance of good punctuation. For you, the process will go
a lot quicker and be far less laborious.” –Flo Selfman
Flo Selfman has been a lifelong reader, a valuable asset when copyediting and proofreading written material including book manuscripts, web copy, screenplays, press releases, and press kits. Being a reader also served her well during her long career as an entertainment, arts, and literary publicist.
Flo was one of the first in Los Angeles to teach lively grammar and punctuation review workshops for adults (“Grammar for Grownups” and “Where Do I Put the Apostrophe?”) outside the academic setting. She has been an instructor or guest speaker at UCLA, UCLA Extension, Pepperdine, Loyola, and other academic and nonprofit institutions.
Flo’s editing, copyediting, and proofreading credits over the past 15 years include books in many genres, both fiction and nonfiction. They include memoir, self-help, biography, historical fiction, true crime, middle-grade/YA fiction, sci fi-adventure-romance, humor, local history, and reference. Among them are such award-winning titles as Dragon Head by James Houston Turner, Fighting Chance by Alicia Doyle, Super Job Search IV by Peter Studner, Manson Exposed by Ivor Davis, and God Spelled Backwards by Sylva Kelegian. She has even proofread a tech manual, a high-end retail holiday catalog, and copyedited a cookbook.
Flo is also available for PR/publicity consultation.
A graduate of UCLA, Flo earned a California Secondary Teaching Credential and UCLA Extension’s Instructor Development Certification. She spent four years as a researcher on a national TV morning show, “Dinah’s Place.” She then entered the world of PR, honing her craft at three boutique agencies before establishing her own, Selfman & Others Public Relations, creating and implementing PR campaigns for over twenty years for television stars, sports figures, theatre productions, arts festivals, and books and authors.
Flo served an unprecedented twelve terms as President of Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC.org), one of the area’s most active and respected organizations for writers. Other professional affiliations include Book Publicists of Southern California (charter member; winner IRWIN Award for Best Book Tie-In Campaign), and Publishers Association of Los Angeles.
Among her proofreading/copy editing clients are publishers, authors, screenwriters, graphic design firms, and public relations agencies. She delivers expert editing and eagle-eye proofreading on time and on budget, with complete confidentiality. “I value the trust my clients place in me, and I put my heart into every project, large or small,” she said. “I can do the same for you. Let’s talk!"
Outside of work, Flo, an Ohio native, loves photography, architecture and historic preservation, classical music, animals, family, the great outdoors, and writing short stories. She volunteers with West Adams Heritage Association, among others. Find her at Wordsalamode.com, LinkedIn, and facebook (Flo Selfman // Selfman & Others Public Relations // Grammar for Grownups // L.A. Discoveries: Architecture, Art, History, Culture).
Editing and proofreading samples upon request.
What people are saying about Flo’s editing and proofreading:
- “Flo Selfman has done superb copyediting/proofreading work for my clients. She is expert in her field, responsive, timely and an absolute joy to work with. I highly recommend her.” −Jose Ramirez, CEO, Pedernales Publishing, LLC www.pedernalesauthorservices.com
- “Thank you, Flo, for the way you jump in on our projects with your professionalism and responsiveness. You are a lifesaver!” −Rick Markovitz, President, Weissman/Markovitz Communications www.publicity4all.com
- “Thanks also to my editor, Flo Selfman, who helped make this book shine.” −James Houston Turner, author, Dragon Head - An Aleksandr Talanov thriller Foreword Reviews 2020 "BOOK OF THE YEAR" Finalist (thriller/suspense) www.jameshoustonturner.world
- “A big thank you and shout out to Flo Selfman, who copyedited and proofread my manuscript of Milton's Secret ─ a YA novelization of the film opening this weekend ─ in record time, and so elegantly. She's my hero, and I highly recommend her to all my fellow authors out there!” –Tinker Lindsay,author, Milton’s Secret www.tinkerlindsay.com
- “Flo is very professional. And she sure knows her stuff, backwards and forwards! It was fun working with her.” –Ruth Frechman, MA, RD, CPT, author of The Food Is My Friend Diet
- “Flo Selfman’s superb editing put a polish and shine on my manuscript that I could never have done myself. Her suggestions, opinions and discerning eye made all the difference in my confidence in putting my manuscript out to the world. I’ve been recommending her everywhere and I hope she’ll be available when it’s time to polish and shine my next book!” −Petrea Burchard, author, Camelot & Vine www.petreaburchard.com
- “I’ve been referring my clients (and writer friends) to Flo Selfman for many years. I use her on my own writing projects as well. Why hire a mere mortal when you can tap the power of a Grammar Goddess?” −Paula L. Johnson, Copywriter/Designer www.PaulaLJohnson.com
- "You did a great job with all this." –Ray Richmond, ghostwriter for a 146,000-word celebrity autobiography
- "You're the best editor I've ever had." –David Edmund Moody, PhD, author, Krishnamurti in America: New Perspectives on the man and his Message
- "Splendid." –Ivor Davis, author, Manson Exposed: A Reporter's 50-Year Journey into Madness and Murder
- “Flo is a joy to work with, always responsive, efficient, and good humored. I feel so lucky to have found her.” –Gail (G.L.) Carriger, NY Times best-selling author; Flo copyedited Defy and Defend, The 5th Gender, and three titles in the San Andreas Shifters series GailCarriger.com
- “Flo is the detail-oriented person we need when we’re all moving too fast. She remembers our preferences, and proactively created and keeps a style sheet for us and our clients. On a regular basis, Flo saves us from embarrassment by bringing her eagle eye and attention to detail on projects large and small.” −Lilli Cloud, President & Founder, bluefeet Branding & Thought Leadership www.yourbluefeet.com
- “Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Great work. I accepted just about all your changes and suggestions….Many thanks again for your hard work and amazing turnaround. I'll be singing your praises to my writer friends.” (Bring Me to Ruin)
And: “Thank you so much, Flo, for another stellar job editing my book. It's always such a pleasure to work with you!" Before My World Turned Blue (The Haunted Hollow Book 2) − Therese Rittenbach, author www.TessRider.com
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- “Thank you! I love what you did – you really made it better.” –Alicia Doyle, author, Fighting Chance
- “First, I commend you for your red pencil editing. You have taught me more about editing than any manual. And again, thanks for your support. Your willingness to jump in during a critical moment kept me focused on the work ahead. I don't know how anyone could put a price tag on what you've done, but I'll happily pay it.” – Jane Howatt, author, The Killer, The Cop and Me www.janehowatt.com
- “I gave Flo a manuscript to edit. The author was sure it was perfect – and Flo found 800 errors!" −Kathleen Kaiser, book publicist www.kathleenkaiser.com
- “Thank you, Flo. Excellent, as always. And just in time.” −William Leidenthal, graphic designer (brochures, magazines over ten years for international tech manufacturing company based in Europe) www.leidenthal.com
- “I had the lucky experience of finding my way to Flo as my copy/line editor through a mutual writer friend. I was delighted with her work. She is a total whiz at editing. Most important, she was easy to locate whenever I had a question, answered promptly, and I always had confidence that her opinion was correct. If you have the opportunity to hire Flo, do not hesitate.” −Judge Katherine Mader (Ret.), author, Inside the Robe: A Judge's Candid Tale of Criminal Justice in America
Additional testimonials upon request.
Think you don't need a proofreader?
Neither did the professionals who signed off on documents that contained these errors and many more! *
≈ "Atheletic Hall of Fame" (from a bank's annual report)
≈ "Faulty artists Leonard and Fitz-Gerald play sonatas for cello and piano...." (Los Angeles Times Calendar section)
≈ "Two Night's Lodging" (full-color ad in national magazine)
≈ "The Ox-Box Incident" (from a TV network press kit)
≈ "So I take Flex-A-Min everyday. It works for me." (James Brolin quote in full-page, four-color ad in "Modern Maturity" magazine)
≈ "...which inspires him to pursue a rigorous workout regime to the amazement of his mother." (from a film review in Daily Variety)
≈ "The United States Veteran's Wish To Thank...." (headline from a full-page Los Angeles Times ad for a fundraising dinner honoring major political and entertainment industry figures)
≈ "...which was reproduced from an original design by Elsa Shapperelli" (from a major film studio press kit)
≈ the director's name spelled two different ways in studio press kit for a new film
≈ "hor d'ouevres" (from an all-day PR conference brochure sent by a Southern California chapter of a national PR organization)
≈ "Repeated a boilerplate sentence." "Repeated a boilerplate sentence." (TV network press kit document)
* If you don't recognize the above as errors, ask Flo!
Neither did the professionals who signed off on documents that contained these errors and many more! *
≈ "Atheletic Hall of Fame" (from a bank's annual report)
≈ "Faulty artists Leonard and Fitz-Gerald play sonatas for cello and piano...." (Los Angeles Times Calendar section)
≈ "Two Night's Lodging" (full-color ad in national magazine)
≈ "The Ox-Box Incident" (from a TV network press kit)
≈ "So I take Flex-A-Min everyday. It works for me." (James Brolin quote in full-page, four-color ad in "Modern Maturity" magazine)
≈ "...which inspires him to pursue a rigorous workout regime to the amazement of his mother." (from a film review in Daily Variety)
≈ "The United States Veteran's Wish To Thank...." (headline from a full-page Los Angeles Times ad for a fundraising dinner honoring major political and entertainment industry figures)
≈ "...which was reproduced from an original design by Elsa Shapperelli" (from a major film studio press kit)
≈ the director's name spelled two different ways in studio press kit for a new film
≈ "hor d'ouevres" (from an all-day PR conference brochure sent by a Southern California chapter of a national PR organization)
≈ "Repeated a boilerplate sentence." "Repeated a boilerplate sentence." (TV network press kit document)
* If you don't recognize the above as errors, ask Flo!
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