Client: Michael Figueroa (aka “Coach South Speed”) — boxing trainer & author
Published: August 3, 2021 — available on Amazon
Services: Line editing & proofreading
The Challenge
Michael’s memoir chronicles how a New York City boxing trainer faced the collapse of his livelihood during COVID, rebuilt from scratch, and kept clients—and himself—moving forward. The draft needed a polish that preserved his voice while tightening chronology, smoothing tense/POV shifts, and preparing the manuscript for publication.
The Approach
Edit for clarity and momentum without sanding off the author’s grit.
- Line edit for voice & flow: clarified sentences, strengthened transitions, and kept the cadence conversational and true to the author.
- Chronology & continuity: aligned dates/events, fixed timeline slips, and standardized location details across chapters.
- Sensitivity & tone checks: ensured difficult moments (health, finances, isolation) were handled with clarity and respect.
- Consistency pass: unified spelling, capitalization (e.g., “Coach South Speed”), and trainer terminology.
- Proofreading: final sweep for grammar, punctuation, and typographic issues prior to upload.
Deliverables
- Editorial memo with chapter-level notes
- Tracked-changes manuscript (line edit)
- Clean proofread file for production
- Mini style sheet for capitalization, numbers, and recurring terms
The Result
A tight, readable memoir that keeps the author’s authentic voice while guiding readers through a challenging, ultimately uplifting arc—showing how determination outlasts defeat. The book moved smoothly to production and launched on Amazon in 2021.
