John R. La Plante
I am a freelance writer and editor specializing in non-fiction publications, with a focus on nonprofit organizations and public policy. Good policy comes from clear thinking, and clear thinking is advanced through clear writing. My goal in editing reports and other documents in public is to make the expert’s writing more understandable to the lay reader.
Current and former clients or employers:
- Humphrey Institute for Public Policy, University of Minnesota
- Thomson Reuters
- Mackinac Center for Public Policy
- State Policy Network
- U.S. Air Force
Types of publications or products I have worked on:
- White papers and technical reports
- Commentaries on public issues
- News stories
- Newsletters
- Summaries of legislation
- Amicus briefs
- Legal pleadings
- Customer testimonials
- Book reviews
- Direct mail appeals
- Grantee reports to foundations
- Work manuals
Media placements (as either an editor or writer) include:
- Wall Street Journal
- USA Today
- Detroit News
- Detroit Free Press
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune
- Kansas City Star
- Politics in Minnesota
- Wichita Eagle
- The Hill
Services include:
- Writing (including ghost-writing)
- Proofreading
- Fact-checking
- Copy editing
- Line editing
Style guides consulted:
- AP Stylebook
- Chicago Manual of Style (limited experience)
- AMA Manual of Style