Jeanette "the Writer" Smith

Hey there! I’m Jeanette—a professional editor, content and fiction writer, and someone who’s never been afraid to take an unconventional path. Before I started working with authors, I was a scuba diving instructor, worked in a cemetery, and sold high-end knives. All of these experiences eventually brought me to my true passion: helping people tell their stories clearly and confidently.

 

This love for language and storytelling led me to become a freelance editor in 2017. Since then, I have worked with both indie authors and established publishers like Greenleaf Book Group to help refine the style and grammar of fiction and nonfiction projects, ensuring that each writer’s unique voice shines.

 

I’m an active part of the writing and publishing community, regularly speaking at industry conferences like EFACon and the ACES Conference, where I share insights with fellow editors. I also give talks to author groups, both virtually and through my local writing organization, the Carrollton League of Writers, where I serve as president. Helping others improve their craft—whether through editing or education—is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

 

I’m also a published writer myself. In 2024, I released Modern Mer: Become the Mermaid of Your Dreams, a nonfiction book about the sport and lifestyle of recreational mermaiding. I’ve had eight short stories published in various magazines and journals, and I’m working on a short story collection expected in 2026. When I’m not editing or writing, you can usually find me crafting, mermaiding, trying to make my cats Instagram famous, or making a case for the Oxford comma on my social media.