About Sharon
Professionalism, honesty, accuracy, discretion, commitment, timeliness
I strive to bring these characteristics to every editing job.
- Professionalism and honesty in communicating with an author
- Accuracy and discretion in dealing with a manuscript
- Commitment and timeliness in working through the editing process
Professionalism, honesty, accuracy, discretion, commitment, timeliness
I strive to bring these characteristics to every editing job.
- Professionalism and honesty in communicating with an author
- Accuracy and discretion in dealing with a manuscript
- Commitment and timeliness in working through the editing process
My credentials reveal my qualifications as a wordsmith.
- Credit analyst in banking (commercial bank and the Federal Reserve Bank)
- Researcher, writer, and editor in business, finance, and East Asian economics
- Editor for ESL authors, particularly Japanese
- Editor of community newsletter
- Education:
- BA in French language and literature, University of Pittsburgh
- MBA (emphasis in finance), San Francisco State University
- Specialized Certificate in Copyediting, University of California, San Diego
- Certificate for Writing in the Sciences, Stanford University online course
- Languages: French (reading) and Japanese (conversation)
- Media skills:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
- Google Docs
- Photoshop
My portfolio represents my accomplishments.
As Author
The World Bank
Eisuke Sakakibara and Sharon Yamakawa, “Trade and Foreign Direct Investment: A Role for Regionalism,” in Global Change and East Asian Policy Initiatives.
Eisuke Sakakibara and Sharon Yamakawa, "Regional Integration in East Asia: Challenges and Opportunities” (working paper, Part 1 and Part 2).
European Central Bank
Eisuke Sakakibara and Sharon Yamakawa, "Market-Driven Regional Integration in East Asia," in Regional Economic Integration in a Global Framework. Paper presented by Eisuke Sakakibara at the G-20 Workshop, Beijing, September 2004.
The Federal Reserve Bank
Papers on methods of analyzing commercial real estate and evaluating collateral.
As Editor
Eisuke Sakakibara, Structural Reform in Japan: Breaking the Iron Triangle (Washington DC: The Brookings Institution, 2003). This book is an English translation of the Japanese original. I refined the translation in consultation with the author and the publisher.
Sharon Yamakawa and Cathy Wada, eds., "IIST Members-Class of 1983" (Institute for International Studies and Training class of 1983 member directory, October 2018). I am the editor of the Japan-member section of this booklet.
Fox Point News, Barrington, IL, US. I was the editor (volunteer) from 2011 to 2014 of this community newsletter, which featured articles on architecture, fiscal affairs, civic affairs, sports, and others. Published monthly and distributed to 400 households.
My affiliations reflect my commitment to my craft.
SWET (Society of Writers, Editors, and Translators)
A community of writers, editors, and translators, as well as copyeditors, proofreaders, book designers, copywriters, teachers, researchers, rewriters, and others working mainly between Japanese and English, and mainly in Japan or for Japanese clients.
My Work Method
Software
I edit mainly in Microsoft Word using Track Changes. Additions and deletions are clearly marked using different characters and colors. I use Word’s Comments to query the author.
Editing in Google Docs may also be possible, depending on the length of the manuscript or document and the level of editing required.
Style Manual
I edit in American English using the rules and recommendations in The Chicago Manual of Style, the style manual that I am most familiar with. However, I will try to honor a client’s preference for a style manual, such as The Associated Press Stylebook or the client’s in-house style guide, if requested. Extra time may be required to complete the edit if I am asked to use a style manual I am unfamiliar with.
Editing Process
I will correct errors and impose a consistent style on the manuscript based on the style manual chosen for the project. For unclear or controversial passages, I will query the author with an explanation of the revision or a request for the author to make the revision. I will offer a suggestion for the change if possible and appropriate. Revisions that are routine or obvious will not be explained.
I will edit the entire manuscript and return it (as a Word document) with queries and an editorial style sheet to the author for review. The author will review the entire manuscript, make requested revisions, and answer any questions. The author will then return the manuscript to me for a final review and cleanup. Throughout this process, the author may feel free to ask about anything that is bothersome or not fully understood.