Meet Rachel - ITN Publishing's Director of Editing

Edits lead to excellence. I’ve often heard writers say that the hardest part of finishing a

creative project isn’t the completion of the writing itself but the return to that project in

the editing phrase. How painful it can be to reread your own work! That’s why it can be

helpful to take a breath and ask for someone else’s feedback, someone who has more

space than the writer may have to their own work. I edit because I want to see a writer’s

words shine. I edit because I want to see our God glinting through those shining words.

We should write with excellence and edit with excellence for the glory of God, “for from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:36)!

Outside of In The Name Publishing, I’ve never been familiar with the word “bored.” After I sort through all my fleeting hobbies that never made it past my “hyperfocus research” phase, my interests lie with reading and writing, music, and gaming.

I’m always in the middle of a theological book (outside of the Bible), and I have always

enjoyed losing myself in a good sci-fi or fantasy story. I also write short fiction and

poetry, most recently being published in the Journal of New Jersey Poets.

A concert percussionist for over twenty years, I have recently started to play the drum

set for my church’s worship team. If I’m not listening to punk rock/pop punk or ska (and

believe it or not, there are Christian bands in those genres), I’m usually listening to a

good podcast (I’ve been very into Cultish).

My family and I are always breaking out a board game or card game to play! I could be

playing Uno with my nieces and nephew one day or clearing a night to commit to

Terraforming Mars. But my family’s go-to legacy game has always been pinochle; this

complex partnership card game has been taught to every generation, originating with

my great-grandparents.

I like to sneak each of these interests into my work with my church’s youth group. My

husband and I help lead the youth group, and at the end of the day, God’s main calling

in our life is discipleship—and that’s God’s calling for every brother and sister in Christ!

While I love my reading and writing, music, and games, all of that is secondary to the

mission God has given us. We are so thankful for how God has placed us in the position

to minister to the next generation of young Christians!

All my interests and talents come from God, and I’m blessed to be a part of In The

Name Publishing!