Letters to the Editor

I so looked forward to writing this email, Jill. I am now Dr. Koretz. My defense was last week. The hearing went very well. Committee members asked me to write 3 different articles for journals in my field and to submit a proposal for a conference in England with regard to the NVivo qualitative software program I used to analyze the data.

Through your feedback, I realized that the final two chapters needed additional revamping to state intended meaning more succinctly. Based upon your recommendations, I modified Chapter IV both in charts and content, and reorganized Chapter V in ways that allowed me to capture the research intent; sharing the interactive literacy and referral stories of each participant in my study. I could not have accomplished this goal without your guidance and direction.

Your expertise in so many areas--dissertation writing, editing, knowledge in word usage and APA (to name a few)--were key instruments in helping me organize and report my research project as a cohesive document. Based upon your critique, valid questions, professional standards, and detailed suggestions and changes, my dissertation research was presented as a cohesive study.

Your understanding of both the dissertation process and the concepts conveyed in my study were direct hits! Your explanations were explicit. Your choice of words, grammatical structures, skilled manipulation of APA, and elimination of unneeded extras made the content precise and the message to the point.

I humbly appreciate both your skills and your dedication to making my work the best it could be. Your desire and ability to take personal interest in me as your client, your professionalism, and your skills in molding a piece of writing to ensure that the research message is distinct and clear, is truly a measure of how gifted you are in your field. As a tribute, I personally acknowledged you in my dissertation by writing, "To Jill Eastwood, I sincerely thank you for teaching me both the art of 'word-smithing' and the intricacies of APA." Although this message was short in words, it was large in meaning.

If you ever need a reference to communicate with prospective clients, I would be more than happy to share my positive experience working with you.

Again, I thank you.

Ellen Koretz, Ed.D., University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Graduate School of Education
Language Arts and Literacy Education

Jill, I thank you for so many things.

Your impeccable communication, fabulous and well-timed sense of humor, and ability to keep me on the path; your depth of integrity, holistic approach to the project, and ability to "turn a pet rock into a diamond"; your amazingly quick turnaround and eloquent presentation of ideas while always keeping the reader in mind; and your magical touch in simplifying, clarifying, and ordering ideas in formulating a cogent, thought-provoking work.

I learned as much from you, and your editing, as I did from the actual research project. This was an unexpected gift! It was as if I'd taken a critical thinking course, along with a writing course, in addition to the actual research! I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity to work with you; you're "top notch." You came highly recommended from a variety of sources (professionals in the field, as well as university faculty), and I also would absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend you and your work!

I hope ours will be a long-term partnership, and I thank you so much for "taking me under your wing" as a newcomer to the research process. You really helped take what initially seemed a dry and, at times, intimidating process, and turned it into a rewarding, poignant, and meaningful opportunity.

Heidi Clarke, M.A., Notre Dame de Namur University

Department of Counseling Psychology

Belmont, California

Thank you for your exceptional editorial support, Jill. You consistently approach my projects (both academic and business related) with an exacting eye. You're an expert in your field and your ideas, constructive criticism, and solid editing continuously bring my work to a much higher level, which has served me invaluably!!

I am grateful for the quality of your work, as well as the level of organization to which you adhere in terms of creating client systems that make working across the miles most efficient. Your prices are extremely fair, and have always been well worth the investment for the high level of expertise and professionalism you provide.

Krista Wells, Ph.D., Alliant International University

Wells Consulting Services, Hartford, CT

Dear Jill:

I am writing this correspondence with the intent to express my sincere gratitude for your edit of my dissertation proposal. To be quite frank, your role in this process was indispensable. Due to the fact that I am not an expert in the fields of English grammar or the publishing guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association, I would have "never" accomplished the completion of this milestone on my merits alone. Because of your expertise in the field of non-content editing, I was able to get my thoughts on paper without the constant worry of such ambiguities as phraseology, paragraph structure, grammar, and university requirements for the document layout. Accordingly, I can emphatically state that your reputation definitely "lives up" to your work.

In addition, I would like to commend you for your caring demeanor. Although I have never met you, I feel as if I have known you for years. I really appreciate the fact that you would always find time to answer my telephone calls and respond to my e-mails. Also, you never made one of my "many" questions sound hebetudinous through your answers; you always took time to explain--sometimes very complex issues--in a most painstaking manner.

Finally, I wish to commend you on the appearance of the final document. It is perfect with regards to the layout requirements set forth by Mississippi State University and it reads fantastically. No matter what my committee decides, I am proud of what I have produced thanks to your "extra set of eyes." When I defend my proposal, I will be able to attend that meeting with the utmost confidence that I have submitted a "very" professional document.

Jill, I highly recommend your services to all dissertation writers. You are awesome! Thanks!

Phillip Crenshaw, Ph.D. Candidate, Mississippi State University

East Central Community College, Decatur, MS

Although compliments may be difficult for you, Jill, I must continue. Honestly, without you, I would still be working on my dissertation. Because of you, I never felt overwhelmed. When stress bubbled up, you were the voice of reason and sanity.

Indeed, a dissertation is a team effort. One that includes families, pets, and all who were supportive. In many ways, you joined my family by being an integral member of my team. Unknowing to you, you sat at our dinner table, came on vacations, and shadowed me through the tedium of research. In the end, you transferred my life's work into a polished masterpiece. I have received incredible feedback, and never hit even a "bump in the road" because of how complete and polished it was.

Jill . . . a dissertation is a huge "monkey" on one's back. Thank you for taking the animal off my back, bearing the burden, and then gently releasing it to a safe, wonderful place.

Christine Racanelli, Ph.D., Walden University

Riverdale Mental Health Associates, Chappaqua, NY

Ms. Eastwood, my dissertation has been approved. Thank you so very much for your assistance; I cannot put into words how much it has meant to me and done for me. I know you hear this type of thing all of the time, and I really wish there was some unique way I could let you know how I am feeling, but words fail.

Mechell Toles, Ph.D., Walden University

Whitehaven Southwest Mental Health Center, Memphis, TN

Jill, You were recommended by both Walden University and APA itself . . . and recommended as the best! What a careful, superior job you have done on Julie's master's project. Thank you for your effort!

Nancy Lees Fountain for daughter,

Julie Rosser, M.A., Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

Dear Jill, I attended commencement last week and had my doctorate officially conferred. My wife, children, and parents were all there. I wanted to say a special thank you for your guidance, assistance, mentoring, and kick in the butt!! You are an awesome person and I hope that one day I can repay the favor.

Chris Reynolds, Ed.D., Argosy University

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Tampa, FL