About Me
Hi, I’m Brent Thibodeaux. I’m a New Orleans-based editor and writer. I’ve published award-winning poems and copy edited manuscripts of various lengths and genres for publication.
The journey to my current profession started with an early trauma. My father passed when I was six, and I wrote my first poem after his funeral. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you why I did it or what my six-year-old self thought I would gain from the act. I wasn’t a child prodigy. I doubt I could’ve spelled grief correctly at the time. Nonetheless, I wrote a poem, and a lifelong passion took root.
I nurtured that passion academically since high school, studying creative writing at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where I received the Seth Daniel P. Memorial Award. I continued to develop as a writer and an editor at Louisiana State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in Creative Writing. While earning my B.A., I won multiple poetry contests and ran the Delta Undergraduate Literary Journal as editor in chief. That experience as an editor led me to pursue further writing and editing education at a graduate level. I earned my M.A. in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and Editing at the University of New Orleans. Beyond the classroom, I cultivated my editing skills at Chin Music Press where I copy edited three books for publication as an intern.
Where I first found solace, passion grew. In my efforts to develop this passion academically, I discovered an immense personal satisfaction in helping others exact their visions, their passions, into words. Editing is like sculpting. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to see the statue within the marble. I’m here to help you carve it out and polish it.
To view or download my resume, click here.
What I Offer:
Proofreading to enhance overall structure, clarity, cohesion, and consistency
Line editing for spelling, punctuation, syntax, and other grammatical and stylistic errors
Trimming out wordiness, redundancies, cliches, and other ineffective language
Sharpening diction to affect readers the strongest and produce the desired effect
Providing specific feedback, suggestions, and questions to consider
Remaining cognizant of each writer’s unique style throughout the editing process
Returning edited manuscripts back promptly and meeting deadlines without compromise
Education:
University of New Orleans
M.A., English
Concentration: Professional Writing and Editing
2017-2020
Louisiana State University
B.A., English (Magna Cum Laude)
Concentration: Creative Writing
2011-2015
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Creative Writing
2009-2011
Experience:
Copy Editor
Chin Music Press
Jan. 2019-May 2019
Editor in Chief
Delta Undergraduate Literary Journal
Aug. 2014-May 2015
Awards:
Dara Wier Award for Poetry
“Solve the Equation”
2015
Matt Clark Award for Poetry
“Procedures for Engineering a Cardiopulmonary Bypass Machine”
2014
Dara Wier Award for Poetry
“Define Displacement in One Paragraph”
2013
Other Interests and Hobbies:
Photography
I don't consider myself a professional in the discipline by any means, but photography remains one of my favorite pastimes and biggest sources of inspiration. The ability to capture milliseconds of light into a still image continues to fascinate me. Constantly learning new ways to utilize lighting, I shoot primarily models and nature. To see some of my photography, click here.
Video Editing
I began experimenting with cinematography and video effects somewhat recently, but they rapidly have become two new obsessions of mine. From digital found poetry, to short horror films on Premiere Pro, to Adobe After Effects loops of myself floating into the sky, I continually find myself pouring hours of work into different video projects. To see some of my videos, click here.
Drumming and Music Production
I started playing drums when I was ten, bless my mother. I took lessons for four years and played in bands since middle school. Scout, a post-rock band consisting of myself and guitarist Corey Cook, toured across Louisiana and Texas and released an E.P. Although I haven't played a show in years, I regularly enjoy playing music with my friends.
Beyond drumming, I started experimenting with electronic music during high school. To this day, I continue to create weird sounds on my laptop and pressure my friends to listen to them. I learned to compose songs on an electronic tube sampler and taught myself Ableton Live, a music production computer program. To hear some of my songs, click here.