About · Inkling Editorial

Hello, I'm Jami!

I'm known for my . . .

curiosity about the culture that surrounds us, from politics to education, celebrity, tourism, consumerism, work practices, technology, health and wellness, and more.
dedication to practical conversations about teaching and learning, particularly surrounding literacy education.
awareness of my blind spots, biases, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps.
eagerness to learn how I can be a better editor, teacher, advocate, friend, daughter, mother, and human.
creativity, especially when it comes to cocktails, Halloween costumes, and getting dinner on the table with what's left in the fridge.

Qualifications

Training

Certificate, Editing, University of Chicago

Master of Arts, Literacy Education, Hamline University

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and English, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Ongoing Professional Development

Document Accessibility Certification, Utah State University

Master the Art of Editorial Style Guides, Dragonfly Editorial Learning Hub

AI for Editors, Servais Training Company

Professional Associations

Member, International Literacy Association

Member, Editorial Freelancers Association

Member, ACES

Background

copy editor (credentialed through the University of Chicago)

teacher with a current tier four Minnesota teaching license
educator with extensive experience evaluating content for readability, relevance, and cultural suitability and assessing vocabulary, syntax, and structure to determine appropriate text complexity
substantive textbook editor
copy editor and writer for educational business service providers, influencer marketing agencies, and online learning platforms

AI Policy (Updated September 2026)

Although I stay current with developments in AI and am excited about some of the things it can do, at Inkling Editorial only I read and edit your work. I will not upload your work to any AI platform unless you ask me to. I will not use AI to write content for you (unless specifically requested), nor will I use AI to replace credible sources such as original research and trusted reporting.

Unless you ask me not to, I may use AI to assist with

offering SEO recommendations.
getting up to speed on an unfamiliar topic (fact-checking information to verify).
suggesting headlines.

Rather than leaning on AI, I continue to invest in my own expertise, sharpening my writing and editing skills through professional development and conversations with colleagues.

If you have specific concerns about AI use, please don’t hesitate to bring them up.

Jami Vandenberg

(pronouced jay-mee)

Editor + Writer + Sounding Board

Let’s work together to ensure your message reaches your intended audience.

My Story

For over two decades, I taught readers of varying abilities how to make sense of complicated texts, which meant spending my days evaluating books for structure, clarity, and any detail that might trip a reader up. As their teacher, I was my students’ go-to editor for classroom writing assignments, of course, but also for speeches, writing competition submissions, and school newspaper articles, among other things. If you’ve ever worked in a middle or high school classroom, you probably know that editing for students (and getting them to actually consider your suggestions) provides a level of preparation (for a range of challenges) that is hard to come by outside the school walls!

My path to Inkling Editorial actually started before teaching, though. My undergraduate degree in journalism and English led me to roles in advertising and public relations early in my career. Then, after falling hard for the first linguistics course in my graduate program, I went on to focus on literacy and language acquisition for over twenty years.

In many ways, this chapter, dedicated to editing and writing, is less a career change and more a shift in how I get to engage with language and words. Editing lets me do what I’ve always loved: facilitate the transfer of knowledge and story by making complex ideas and stories accessible. The challenge of this work and the learning I do along the way invigorate me.

Speaking of things that invigorate me...outside of work, I’m usually cheering my daughter on at a soccer game, hunting for agates (preferably along the shores of Lake Superior, but sometimes in the landscaping rock in my neighborhood), crocheting, or reading on the deck as early in the spring and as late into the fall as weather allows. I live in Lakeville, Minnesota, a suburb south of the Twin Cities, and am lucky to enjoy a wealth of biking and walking trails, amazing restaurants, and farmers' markets.

Maybe we can connect about your editing needs or maybe over a shared love of something random:

Jigsaw puzzles
Card games
Millie (our Bernedoodle)
Cheese
Dining al fresco (which sounds too fancy, but “eating outside” sounds weird)
Mowing grass
Shoveling snow < 8” (IYKYK)
Long walks
Podcasts
Exploring new places
The West Wing
Crashing waves and rocky shores

Every part of my journey has led me here. I hope you’ll choose me to be a part of yours.

Working with Jami has been an absolute pleasure. She consistently delivers high-quality edits, providing work that is polished, professional, and ready to shine. Not only is she talented, but she’s also reliable, communicative, and a joy to collaborate with.

Becky Curran

VP, Account Management IZEA

Let's Connect