Book devourer, Oxford comma devotee, typo chaser
Hi, there! I’m Zala and I suffer from a chronic case of unshakable editorial hat syndrome. I’m always on the lookout for rogue commas, em dashes masquerading as hyphens, and self-important capitals that have no business being anything other than lowercase.
Years of experience chasing typos and spotting plot holes make me the person you want reading through your story before it’s published. I’ll catch the mistakes that might otherwise bring a blush to your cheeks—and not the romantic kind! Or, if you’re not quite there yet, I’m a great partner in crime when it comes to brainstorming and finding solutions to any challenges you’re facing.
When I’m not reading, editing, or writing, you’ll find me hiking, baking, or enjoying a good board game in sunny San Diego, California. But really, I’m just waiting for you to reach out so we can create something amazing together!
My Projects
I’m one of those people who always have a bazillion projects going. When I’m not working, I like to volunteer for various causes and organizations. I believe in fostering creativity and diversity, and I love making a positive impact through my passion for literature. Here are some of the organizations I support:
The Selkie Publications
The Selkie is a publisher that champions traditionally marginalized voices. I have been involved with the publication as an editor since 2019, and I took over as chief editor in 2022. Since then, I’ve supervised the production of two anthologies and numerous web publications.
Hillfire Press
Hillfire Press is a collective of writers, publishers, and designers who come together every year to produce an anthology of short prose and poetry. I was the executive editor for Hillfire from 2021 to 2023 and supervised the production of Hillfire Anthology I and Hillfire Anthology II.
Local literary organizations
I am a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and a co-coordinator for the EFA San Diego chapter. I’m also a regular volunteer for the San Diego Writers Festival. In the past, I was involved with Acorn Publishing and San Diego Writers Ink. Follow the link below to see my EFA profile!