About
What’s In The Name?
An odyssey is “a long journey full of adventures” or “a series of experiences that give knowledge or understanding to someone” (Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary).
My life has been an odyssey, allowing me to experience an array of cultures at home and abroad. I even lived on an island visited in Homer’s epic “The Odyssey.”
I’ve traveled to 43 states; I’ve lived in 8 states in the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West
I’ve traveled to 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America
I’ve lived in 4 countries outside the United States: France as a graduate student; Italy (Sicily) as a fellow/employee at ISISC (International Institute for Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences); and Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean) and Slovakia while on staff with TWR (Trans World Radio).
Helen Overmyer
While working in Washington, DC, I met my husband John, who had already lived in 7 countries and was in transit, moving from Russia to Central Asia. After we married, we continued our odyssey together.
Visiting an intriguing destination
Revisiting the Paris apartment building where I lived as a graduate student
Living on the island of Sicily
Living on the island of Bonaire
Living in Slovakia
Visiting an intriguing destination
Revisiting the Paris apartment building where I lived as a graduate student
Living on the island of Sicily
Living on the island of Bonaire
Living in Slovakia
How Am I Qualified?
I’ve had a lifelong love of words, and I’ve sharpened my English skills through the study of eight languages: French, Latin, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Papiamento, and Slovak. I’m fascinated with the art of language interpretation and translation.
Each time I’ve moved to a new state or country where I wasn’t familiar with the culture or the language, I’ve learned to thrive through the art of observation. I inherited detailed observation skills from my engineer father, my classical pianist mother, and my business manager grandfather who enjoyed reading encyclopedia entries before bed each night. When I was young, my father awarded me an “FBI badge” each time I made a keen observation of something.
Copyediting, Writing
Copyedited academic monographs for Yale University Press, Stanford University Press and Penn State University Press
Copyedited AI-generated video transcripts for Chance Multimedia
Copyedited scientific and management journal articles for Cambridge University Press
Copyedited PhD dissertation for seminary student
Copyedited more than 1000 hours for seminary graduate students, including international students
Familiarity with various style guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), AP, MLA, SBL, APA, and CWMOS
Copyedited marketing materials for several small businesses
Copyedited various church-based communications materials
Copyedited several articles for proposals to magazines and rough draft book copy for a published author
Wrote several articles for organization’s in-house news magazine in Slovakia and attended a writer’s workshop sponsored by the communications department
Wrote bios for church newsletter and conference publications
Marketing Communications
As senior market analyst for COMSAT International Ventures in Washington, DC (COMSAT Corporation later merged with Lockheed Martin), wrote and edited marketing materials for satellite business communications ventures in Latin America, Turkey, Russia, and India
As marketing communications coordinator for NetSolve in Austin, TX, an information technology company (NetSolve was later bought by Cisco Systems), wrote and edited marketing communications materials for wide area network management services
Language Translation
Translated technical documents from French to English on a freelance basis for Ralph McElroy Translation Company, Austin, TX
Evaluated children’s animated videos for accuracy and quality of translation from English to French for Nest Entertainment
Translated informal conversations French-Italian-English for conference participants from the Arab World at ISISC in Siracusa, Sicily
Education
MA, French Language and Literature, Middlebury College Language Schools, Paris, France
Received certificate of French business from the Paris Chamber of Commerce
BA, French and Political Science, Wheaton College, Illinois
Memberships
Testimonials
“As a PhD candidate, I rely on Helen’s expertise as a copyeditor. I trust her keen eye for detail, her close attention to the finer points of grammar, and her extensive knowledge of various formatting guidelines. She also provides excellent feedback and always completes her work in a timely manner. I consider Helen an excellent and invaluable partner in the writing process and highly recommend her.”
“When it comes to writing and publishing, having the right editor is essential. Helen has been my primary and sole editor for over a decade through my graduate and doctoral seminary studies. I have come to rely on her expertise, integrity, and continual pursuit of perfection. I cannot imagine a finer editor.”
“Helen has worked as a volunteer at our church for many years in the area of copyediting. We know that when she reviews a publication for the church, it is ready to be presented without errors. She is also a very gracious and kind person while still very professional. It is always a pleasure to work with her on projects.”
