About

Hi. My name is Chris O’Byrne and I’m the founder of Editing Your World.

I was born on a farm in southeastern Minnesota and graduated in a class of 16. After a stint in the Air Force and various odd jobs, I went to college and received a degree in chemical engineering. I worked in the paper industry for a few years, but eventually left when I realized my career path would end in mid-level management, running production and personnel schedules. No thanks.

I went back to school for a teaching degree and taught in rural schools in Minnesota. I helped start a charter school for the arts where I eventually taught every science and math class, from basic algebra to physics and calculus. During this time I received my Master’s degree in Earth Literacy.

A polymath in training, I’ve learned web design, Internet marketing, photography, videography, copywriting, Photoshop, InDesign, and all the ins and outs of self publishing and e-books.

I’m a voracious reader and have been writing in blogs forever. This led me to take writing workshops and that led me to the field of editing. I met an amazing editor and teacher—Harvey Stanbrough—who has been a generous guide and mentor. I love editing. I love helping authors improve their work by helping them with all of the nit-picky details that drive most people nuts. Whether it’s developing a story, creating an argument, copyediting, or proofreading—I love it all.

So that’s my brief history. I also play guitar, fiddle, and mandolin, and sing. I’m a traveler, birder, and hiker and am into Zen, minimalism, peace, community, and sustainability. I like balance and simplicity and quiet and reading. I usually live in the Southwest, but can be found just about anywhere my fancy takes me.