He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his head and hands is an artisan.
He who works with his head, hands, and heart is an artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings! I’m Aden Nichols, founder and principal of Little Fire Editorial Services. I view my work as sculpting with words—carefully chipping away and burnishing the raw material to reveal the masterpiece within. I am committed to polishing your prose just enough to let your brilliance shine through.
I work with my head, hands, and heart.

Why “Little Fire”?

“Aden” is an anglicized rendering of Aodhán, the Irish diminutive for “fire”—
hence, Little Fire.

Qualified

In addition to my Bachelor’s in Communications (Public Relations emphasis), I hold a Master’s in the Humanities (History emphasis). My dad was an English teacher (among other things), and one of my most prized possessions is his dog-eared copy of Strunk & White’s classic handbook, The Elements of Style—with pop’s numerous corrections inked in red.
I come by my linguistic geekiness honestly: it’s in my DNA.

Experienced

In-house—I’ve been in the trenches. I’ve held posts from staff editor to editor-in-chief with publishers great and small, producing everything from weeklies to one-shots. In senior editorial management positions, I nurtured freelancers, supervised creative teams, and guided the editorial process from storyboard to shipping. I know the ropes. Working in fields as diverse as the entertainment and defense industries, I’ve written and edited content of all kinds and collaborated with inspired designers to produce dynamic layouts. I am grateful for having studied under talented, generous mentors; I perfected my craft the old-fashioned way. I’m a perpetual student, and I’m as flexible as a green twig.
I have never missed a deadline.

Freelance—As an independent contractor for about a decade now, I’ve garnered an eclectic clientele including the University of Arizona Press, Hearst Communications, Texas A&M University Press, Ballantine Books, George Mason University Press, U.S. Naval Institute Press, Petersen Publishing, English Heritage, Antioch University Writers Exchange, University of Virginia, MicroProse Software, University of Georgia Press, U.S. Steel, and 1-800-flowers. My worldview is progressive and in keeping with my desire to “be the change,” I serve as a peer reviewer for Digital Humanities Quarterly.
When you’re a Little Fire client, you’re in good company.

Life!—When I’m not helping my clients make their writing kick butt, I can be found indulging in a variety of avocational pursuits: I’m a voracious reader, avid cyclist, hiker, horseman, historian, and pretty fair amateur barista. I firmly believe that passion is a vital ingredient of a fruitful creative life, and I bring my passion to bear in everything I do. In addition to my professional writing and editing gigs, I’ve been a rock musician, a Green Beret, a motion picture equestrian specialist, a repo man, a maker of bespoke historical saddlery and leather goods, a museum consultant, and a historical interpreter in many periods across the U.S. and Europe. And as you’ve probably guessed, I’m also a dedicated logophile—I have a passion for words.
“When setting out on a journey, do not seek advice from those who have never left home.” ~Rumi

Available

Flexibility is my watchword. I prefer to work via email, but I’m also available for meetings, conferences, or consultation by phone or on-site. I’ll be happy to discuss longer-term projects or assignments requiring travel or in-house work.
I’m here for you; I will do my best to meet your needs.

What can Little Fire do for YOU?

Now that we’ve been properly introduced, let’s get better acquainted. Drop me a line and tell me about your awesome project!