Who We Are

HOLMES
EDITORIAL
SERVICES

Expert Help for the
Busy Professional

STAFF OVERVIEW

Sherrie Holmes, Proprietor (Also CEO, Office Manager, Marketing Director,
Chief Financial Officer, Receptionist, Dishwasher, Janitor, and Regional Director of
Litter Boxes.)

I've been a writer and word lover most of my life. In second grade I was placed
in an advanced readers group, my reading skills far outstripping those of my
tender classmates. From the age of seven on, I aced all my spelling tests.
English was my favorite class. I was on a first-name basis with the bookmobile
driver.

My first poem was published in the local school district's teacher newsletter
when I was eleven. Overnight I moved from chief eraser clapper to published
writer! With this epic start to my writing career I branched out into short stories,
limericks, more poetry, and parental excuse notes written for friends who
skipped school.

As an adult I joined writer organizations, attended writing seminars and
conferences, took courses in proofreading, editing, copywriting, photography,
newsletter layout and design. After a lifetime of gleefully catching typos in
newspapers and on cereal boxes, I decided to turn my obsession into a career.

Impressive statistics include:

-- Six published books dedicated to me in gratitude
    for editorial and critiquing assistance
-- Writing contest judge
-- Book reviewer
-- Member of Romance Writers of America (RWA)
-- Finalist in RWA's prestigious Golden Heart contest
-- Site manager for the Word Wenches
-- Site owner of personal blog News From the Holmestead
-- Member of numerous research listserves
-- Writing mentor
-- Active member of critique group
-- Former columnist, article writer, production assistant, and/or
   editor for the following magazines and newsletters:
          Rawhide & Lace research magazine
          Futures Literary Magazine
          Greenspring Health Services
          Gig Harbor Horsemen
          South Kitsap Citizens for Environmental Protection
          Tacoma Chapter RWA
          Greater Seattle Chapter RWA
          Peninsula Chapter RWA
          Beau Monde Chapter RWA
          Regency Readers Support Group
          The Regency Plume

Writing has always been my first love, and with it comes a desire to help others
with their writing projects, be they college papers, spreadsheets, novels, poetry,
business letters, promo pieces, business cards, brochures, company newsletters,
etc. I have a high degree of integrity and confidentiality, and a deep sense of
responsibility, tempered by an unrepentent and slightly scary sense of humor.
What more could you ask for in an editor except perhaps a pleasing personality
and a huge smile--and I have those, too!

Lord Byron
Human Resources Manager

Byron has been with the company for eight years. He started out as an intern while
still a kitten and worked his way up to Human Resources Manager by the time he
was a year old. Byron comes from the "good old boy" school of management and
enjoys acting the lord of the manor. He is adept at walking the floor, looking pompous
and important. His genuine care for the other employees is the only thing that saves
him from getting anything worse than noogies by various members of the staff. Byron
is in charge of employee morale and takes his job seriously. He always makes sure
we take our coffee breaks and lunch breaks. Whenever he notices that the CEO has
been working too hard, he likes to sneak up behind her chair, stand on his hind feet,
and poke her in the back when she least expects it. This generally results in a loud
shriek, which the staff find hilarious to the point of idiocy. It is an excellent means of
getting rid of built up stress, however, so Byron uses it judiciously and to devastating
effect.

Christopher the Assassin
Security Department

The company is located on a small farm in the country. Security is vital, since the
CEO often handles confidential material. Christopher patrols the grounds vigilantly,
killing anything that might be a threat to security. Because he is slightly dyslexic
Christopher misunderstood his job description--he thinks he must present all his
kills to the CEO for inspection and approval, and to make sure her gag reflex is
working properly. His motto is "semper eatum upus" which is Latin for "always
eat your prisoners." He practices his ambush skills by leaping at co-workers from
behind chairs or doorways. When the CEO is working with highly confidential
material, Christopher has been known to protect it with his body by lying sprawled
over the papers. Due to Christopher's diligence, employees of Holmes Editorial
Services work in a safe, secure environment. He is the recent recipient of his
five-year anniversary pin.

Windigo's Tempest
Corporate Lawyer and Groundskeeper

Tempest is the most senior member of the team, with 22 years under his girth.
He's bucking for his 25 year gold watch and has only 3 years to go. Tempest is
responsible for making sure Holmes Editorial Services is an Equine Opportunity
Employer. He doubles as groundskeeper and does an efficient job keeping the
lawns properly mowed and fertilized. (The fertilizers are strictly organic--no
chemicals!) One of Tempest's minor duties is that of Alarm Clock. If the CEO
is late to rise, he stands in the corner of his paddock closest to the bedroom
and lets loose with a volly of whinnies loud enough to raise the dead and scare
the eggs right out of the hens. He does this until the CEO gets out of bed and
feeds him.

StellaNova
Receptionist and Junior Financial Officer

Nova joined the firm as a receptionist in 2004 when she was an eleven-week-old
puppy. She performed her duties admirably, making instant friends with the FedEx
and UPS drivers who brought her cookies. Once she learned not to tinkle on the floor
when excited, she took on the additional responsibilities of junior financial officer.
Nova makes sure the CEO has a steady flow of work in order to keep the money
coming in. More money means more toys. And doggie biscuits. .