Tasteful Editing

making words delicious since 2009
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Hello!

Tasteful Editing is owned by Jenna Nelson Patton. I am an experienced editor with a specialty in cookbook editing. I work with large publishers and small presses, best-selling authors and first-time writers. When you work with me, you’ll find that I truly enjoy what I do.

Food

I edit food and cookbook manuscripts of all kinds—from Texas barbecue to cannabis cocktails to vegan baking.

Hobbies

I also specialize in projects that inspire readers to explore their creativity, pick up a new craft, or learn new techniques.

Wellness

I enjoy working with authors who help their readers make lifestyle changes and reach challenging new goals.

Meet Your Editor: Jenna

I began editing ten years ago because I enjoy working with languages and helping authors to set readers up for success. I like being a part of the team that turns a manuscript into a finished book. I learn something new from every project, and it seems like there is always a new trend or ingredient to keep things interesting.

Recent Work

Education

PhD, Emory University
MA, Emory University
MA, Université de Montréal
BA, University of Pittsburgh

Styles

Chicago Manual of Style
Recipes into Type
Recipe Writer’s Handbook
House Styles

Contact Jenna

Why Cookbooks?

For me, cookbook editing is probably the perfect combination of the things I know and enjoy.

  • I am the daughter of a food scientist. While I was growing up, I learned about ingredients in our backyard garden, and I learned to cook using the industrial stand mixer in our kitchen. I am an active, lifelong home cook.
  • I am involved in food communities. I serve on the board of directors for the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting Maine’s farmers, strengthening our local food network, and fighting food insecurity in our state. I am also a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
  • I test recipes for some outstanding cookbook authors. Recipe testing helps me approach every project with even more appreciation for the author’s creativity and hard work.

I understand the chef and the home cook, and I know how to balance their needs on the page.

For every cookbook editing project, I work to ensure that every page is clear, complete, and engaging. I apply your house style carefully, and I work with authors productively. I have extensive experience with special diets (e.g., vegan, vegetarian, raw, Paleo, and Keto).

I am comfortable working with nutritional analysis, metric conversions, and complex methods.

I take rush projects when I have the time available to do high-quality work. Please always feel free to ask.

It was a pleasure to see Jenna Patton copyedit one of the cookbooks I co-penned. Her expertise, attention to detail, and respect for the message to be conveyed, all greatly helped make the book even better than I hoped for. I look forward to working with Jenna again soon! Celine Steen

Cookbook Author & Food Photographer

Jenna Patton is an amazing editor, driven to improve the meaning and material in the author’s voice. She’s not content until both the publisher and the author are. Highly communicative, and with an intelligent and compassionate book-side manner, working with Jenna is a wonderful experience that I wish every author could share. Tamasin Noyes

Cookbook Author

What you can expect from Tasteful Editing

Quality Work

  • excellent nonfiction copyediting, line editing, and developmental editing
  • reliable turnaround times and availablity for questions after the edit is complete

Excellent Service

  • timely updates to the project manager and editor during the edit
  • a style sheet for every project to help your proofreader and indexer work efficiently

Author-Friendly Editing

  • quality comments and queries that are—above all—respectful
  • a flexible editor who enjoys working with authors to make every book the best it can be

Tasteful Editing Supports

 

 

 

When I’m not digging through style guides, I enjoy life in Maine with my husband, Russell Patton, and our amazing little agility dog. We like running, hiking in Acadia, and going to see live music—anything from the Descendents to David Byrne to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

Reading:  Norma by Sofi Oksanen
Listening: Ólafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm
Cooking: traditional Irish recipes

Tasteful Editing

making words delicious since 2009

Contact Jenna Nelson Patton to discuss your project. You can expect high-quality editing, excellent communication, and a positive attitude. I enjoy my work!

Tell me about your project
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