Storytime Part 3: From Scrolling on Facebook to Book Editor

When I was in high school and on the cusp of adulthood, my dreams were filled with moving to New York City and becoming an editor for one of the major publishing houses. Harper Collins, Simon and Shuster, and Random House were all on my radar. I’d edit the books of up-and-coming authors by day, enjoy the underground music and fashion scenes by night, and, of course, live in a tiny eclectic and ultra-artsy apartment that won’t even fit a full-sized couch.?

Download my FREE guide, 10 Essential ChatGPT Prompts for Building Your Personal Brand.

My dream of moving east was held firmly in check by my practical side which reminded me I needed to help out at home. So, instead of diving into book editing, I pursued investigative writing and reporting to make my other dream of becoming a journalist come true. As newspapers stopped hiring and even closed up shop, I made the transition from doing local writing and reporting to content writing for small women and minority-owned businesses, brands and nonprofits.?

Always an avid reader, I remained in awe of the power of books every time I held one in my hands even as my career aspirations changed course. Books can uplift, motivate, educate and free your mind. But at that point in my life, becoming a book editor seemed as unlikely as climbing a beanstalk and finding a golden goose, so I filed it away in the back of my mind under cool things I’d like to do one day. Eventually, I decided to put my hours of studying creative writing to use and began to take on freelance projects, editing fiction manuscripts for self-published authors.?

I thought that was as far as my editing dreams would go. I never imagined that mindless scrolling on Facebook would give me the chance of a lifetime, but it did. Among the endless stream of baby pictures and memes was a post seeking editors for a start-up that provided literary services to self-published authors. I let it float upstream, but it nagged me so much that I searched for it the next day and applied. I call that divine intervention. I was hired as a developmental editor, and within two years, I was promoted to senior editor.??

In my seven years with Good Ground Literary Services, I’ve helped several self-published authors build their fiction and nonfiction manuscripts from concept to completion and have overseen the projects of many authors who used the books we helped them write to build businesses or kickstart speaking careers. Many of the books we’ve worked on have become Amazon bestsellers and received five-star reviews. I also continue to take on freelance clients because I enjoy guiding people through the writing process and helping them tell their stories.?

When you don’t give up, dreams can come true at any age and stage of your life or career. You never know what opportunities are waiting for you. So, find creative ways to use your skills and build on them, and go for those opportunities that seem just out of reach. Who knows, it may lead you to unexpected success.??

Thanks for reading The Chanel Polk Writes Newsletter, a weekly newsletter where I share tips and insight on brand building and content writing in the age of artificial intelligence.

If this is our first time meeting, welcome! Please subscribe and click or tap here to learn more about me and what I do.