‘LIQOUR STORE PARKING’

‘LIQOUR STORE PARKING’

I stood looking at the stenciled words marking parking spots in front of the store that had recently opened near our house. Having been here several times before, I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed the problem sooner. In cases like this, I enjoyed imagining myself as a rogue guerrilla editor, setting out by night with red spray paint in hand to correct error-ridden signage with proofreaders’ marks. It would be so helpful to all involved. I would be like an editing superhero, righting the many public wrongs of the written word. The tall, smiling man who was often working here came to open the door for me. He had perhaps noticed me lingering. I lowered my umbrella and entered, considering whether I should tell him what I had noticed. My children are often appalled by my tendency to offer observations and suggestions to strangers. Going for it, I piped up, “So did you know that the word liquor is misspelled in your parking spots?” I said pointing at the white words painted on the concrete. “The U and the O should be reversed.” He turned to look outside. He looked back at me quizzically. “Our parking spots?” he asked, with a strong Middle Eastern accent. “Which parking spot?” “All of them,” I responded, sweeping my hand across all three. “See, The U should come before the O; after the Q.” He grinned like he wasn’t sure whether to believe me. “Really?” he asked, as if I might be pulling his leg. I nodded. His brow wrinkled and he looked back through the window. Turning back to me, his face was...
By way of introduction

By way of introduction

I’m Ashly Moore Sheldon, a professional communicator, writer, and editor. My main obsessions include soccer, gardening, literature, and pop culture, though I am knowledgable and inquisitive about dozens of other subjects as well. Generally speaking, I like to be “in the know.” I have experience writing and editing for nonprofits, academic institutions, literary publications, and corporate entities. I have been responsible for producing a variety of publications, such as event calendars, annual reports, grants, newsletters (both print and electronic), case studies, fictional stories, memoir, appeal letters, web pages, and more.  I live in a comfortably imperfect house in Seattle, Washington, with my sweet husband, two surly teenagers (they’re actually pretty lovely most of the time), and a beautiful, self-absorbed cat. Seattle has been my home for nearly two decades. Before moving here, I never lived in a place longer than five years. I am the oldest of seven. My siblings are varied, intelligent, and interesting and I am proud to be related to every one. My father, a retired orthopedic surgeon, taught me about fitness, cultural literacy, and the value of being a hard worker. My mother has consistently provided me with an example of patience, kindness, and unconditional love. Ever since I was very young, my favorite thing to do has been to read and write. Above all, I admire the beauty of well crafted language. My greatest pleasure is found in words that have been perfectly strung together to give readers palpable, chill-raising pleasure. This ideal provides the foundation for my work as a writer and editor and the intention I bring to every job that I...