(in other words, We Help You Improve Your Writing and Craft)
You and I both know that writing is a craft. It’s a craft we spend all our time researching, perfecting, and creating...yet it somehow never feels finished.
There was one thing I found missing in the world of writing: the camaraderie.
It was the “You & I” part that I mentioned above.
While we know there are other writers out there, doing the same things and dealing with the same endless cycles, it can sometimes feel like you’re all alone.
Our Story
I’m Elisa Doucette, Founder of Craft Your Content. I’m a lover of language, always interested in where words come from and what history is behind them.
I've spent years (okay, almost two decades) writing my own articles and posts, working in the world of content marketing before it was a world we all knew about. As the rough and tumble world of bloggers transformed into a motley crew of professional writers and creatives, the mission to improve began.
Enter the elusive “editor.” Enter the boring grammar rules I didn’t want to follow. Enter the misguided help that resulted in changing my words and opinions into theirs.
I created Craft Your Content because, well, I was over this narrative.
I was tired of hearing frustrated writers at all levels, living in fear that they were getting stripped out of their own writing. I wanted the teamwork, and I wanted to go beyond just being fellow writers. I wanted to build a community, create a safe space (where you may hear the occasional cuss word, just warning you), and help give writers the confidence to finally feel that “ah-ha” moment.
To feel like your time, research, dedication to and perfection of your craft was worth every single moment spent behind your keyboard.
Want to learn more about us? Sign up for The Writing Rundown, and we'll send our best writing resources and content every weekend - straight to your inbox!
What We Do
In a world that is every-(wo)man-for-(her)himself, writing doesn’t have to be.
Our team knows those thoughts swirling around in your head because we’ve been there, too. We know what it’s like to second guess your work, to feel overwhelmed with deadlines and consistency, to wonder if it’s all really worth it, and to feel the surge of anxiety every time you press that “Publish” button.
The thing that Craft Your Content does differently than other editors is that we partner with you.
We want to be creative collaborators who help you to craft content that works for you, is high quality, and lets you release tension rather than live with it.
Our team offers empathy and banter in place of cold-editing and impersonal communication. We offer two-way conversation, not just critiques.
We work with you, not against you.
As a trusted partner in your writing and creative endeavors, we provide two different levels of support to professional writers and entrepreneurs who have a goal of rising above the noise of online content and make their own words, their own craft, even better.
Our first level of support offers:
Courses and Community where you can work alone or in groups to improve your writing and get the results you crave.
Want a more one-on-one approach? We offer that as well.
Our second level of support offers:
Proofreading, Content Editing, Content Management, Content Strategy, and Writing Coaching for those who are looking to achieve their maximum performance, go beyond superficial successes, and dig deep with our team of witty yet talented individuals.
Meet the CYC Team
A collaborative like this does not run on the power of any individual. We have an accomplished team of writing experts and business pros who are at the ready to work with members and clients to make their words exceptional.
We help writers who are looking to bring their writing to "the next level", are in the process of creating a brand, or want to use high-quality content promote a business. We love entrepreneurs, seasoned professionals, and anyone who is trying to upgrade their writing game.
We work with writers who want to focus on the quality and authority of their writing. We don’t offer generic instructions and don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
At the heart of it all, we care most about you as a human being.
Our team recognizes that you need to be your most genuine and authentic self, and we are firm believers in helping you do that. Rather than changing your voice or sacrificing your ideas in favor of perfect prose or correct grammar, we help make you (and your own words) even better.
While of course SEO and other “fun” details are important, we believe that they are all secondary when you are able to craft content that is good.
You can read more about our promise to our clients in our Editor’s Creed.
Elisa's advice and counsel as an editor has proven invaluable as she has a deep understanding of both the business implications of content as well as what makes good writing in the first place. Since we started working together, my brand presence has increased by an order of magnitude.
Taylor Pearson
Essayist, Author, Entrepreneur
Elisa and the CYC team have been such a gift to me in my pursuit to tell my business's story. I honestly think if it weren't for Elisa, I would not have been able to get the courage or words to land a writing gig I was excited about, nor the accountability and forward progress to keep it.
Carrie McKeegan
Greenback Expat Tax Services, Columnist at INC
We had a new business meeting with the head of marketing for a huge company and he said that he thinks our marketing/thought leadership (particularly the Medium publication) is some of the best he's ever seen. I attribute much of that to the editing help CYC has given us.
Sam Spurlin
Managing Editor at The Ready
Craft Your Content provides accountability, support, expertise, and gives you our dedication. All that we ask is that you give us your dedication, in return.
Welcome to the CYC family. We’re glad you’re here.
As a bonus for reading all about us, we want to share one of our most helpful starter resources with you. If you find yourself struggling to find your voice and vision, we’re here to show you how.
Our FREE 10-Day Course helps you define what you want to say, and how you want to say it. Like building up a personal resume of the “why” behind your craft.
You’ll also receive our fortnightly newsletter, filled with tips on how to write content that captures your voice.
We may be biased, but this is one you’re not going to want to miss.
As a bonus for reading all about us, we want to share one of our most helpful starter resources with you. If you find yourself struggling to find your voice and vision, we’re here to show you how.
Our FREE 10-Day Course helps you define what you want to say, and how you want to say it. Like building up a personal resume of the “why” behind your craft.
You’ll also receive our weekly newsletter, filled with tips on how to write content that captures your voice.
We may be biased, but this is one you’re not going to want to miss.
Disclaimer: We do make money when you click various links and offers, through their affiliate programs, including Amazon Service LLC Associates. There is NO increased cost for you, and sometimes we're even able to swing some sweet affiliate deals for our audience. It is important you know, we'd promote these resources even if we didn't make money from them. Which is why you can choose to purchase and show us some love, or just do business on your own. No hard feelings.
Elisa studied at the University of Maine, with a dual concentration in Creative Writing and Classics (focused on Latin linguistics), and serves as the Editorial Advisor to the Y-Combinator AI software startup Foster. A frequent contributing writer, podcast guest, and event speaker, her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Forbes, Yahoo! Small Business, The Shine Network, The Huffington Post, and Undomesticated Magazine, among others. She is a member of ACES - The Society for Editing, former curator for TEDxAberdeen, and a judge for the Page Turner awards.
She spends most of her time consuming unnatural amounts of coffee, tea - and totally reasonable amounts of red wine, microbrews, whisky/whiskey/bourbon; pretty much anything liquid and delicious. She can often be found randomly traveling the world looking for great stories to live, and interesting tales to share. When she’s not working or writing, she is likely curled up with her Kindle, devouring a new book.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Great writing must be your foundation for popular and authority-building content. Marketing tricks and tactics can get eyes on your site, and you can optimize and analyze for every button and metric – and you should absolutely consider them if you want to be serious about writing online or for an audience. But if what you have to say and how you say it are not well-thought out and presented, your audience will not care.
Specialties and Interests: Personal Essays, Email & Newsletters, Writing about Writing, Lifestyle, Learning, Self-Development, Marketing
Location:Hampton Beach, United States
Most Read Book:Leonardo's Notebooks: Writing and Art of the Great Master by Leonardo da Vinci and The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Favorite Story to Tell: Up to the age of 30, I had never lived outside the state of Maine or traveled further than Canada. Then, I landed a gig that put me on a one-way flight, with a shiny new passport, to live for six months in Bali, Indonesia. In my first three weeks living abroad, I got into a fight at a club, held hostage in a taxi, was robbed, and finally thrown off the back of a motorbike when we were hit head-on – ending in three surgeries on my knee. I managed to power through and have some badass scars to prove it. Been traveling ever since. This is either extreme confidence or complete idiocy. The jury is still out.
If you want to connect, it is usually easiest to catch me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Erika Rasso graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in English and marketing and the University of California, Los Angeles with an MFA in Screenwriting. She has worked as a writing consultant, an editor for literary and academic journals, and as an assistant to film and TV producers. In her free time, Erika enjoys playing games and writing screenplays (though mostly she just watches WAY too many shows on Netflix). She is the Director of Production for Craft Your Content.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Even though I love grammar and the strategic ways it is used to convey ideas, I don’t believe that your writing has to be mechanically perfect to be exceptional. If we look back on Nathaniel Hawthorne and James Joyce, their works are filled with run on sentences and misused punctuation, and they are still regarded as literary masters! Besides, grammar is always evolving. A mistake you’ve made in one article may no longer be a mistake a month or two later.
Location:Los Angeles, California, USA
Most Read Book:Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Favorite Story to Tell: When I was in Paris with my parents, we were taking a bike tour and I was lagging behind. We were crossing a busy street and a bus turned the corner and hit me! I was completely okay, the bus was going really slow, but I was very mad that the bus didn’t wait for me!
Sarah Ramsey holds a M.A. in Science, Technology and Public Policy. She has spent most of the last two decades doing strategic communications work for space-focused organizations like NASA. She wishes she could write space-based, because if she could live anywhere else, Mars would be it. In her free time, you can find her working through a long to-be-read list and an even longer to-be-written list.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion:Because I like contradictions, I believe that to write well you must always be thinking, but that you shouldn’t overthink how you write. Writing is like the overflow buffer for your brain – you get your thinking all out on the screen or in notebooks (or on napkins, the back of envelopes, old receipts buried in your purse). But it doesn’t help to overthink the how of writing - just get it all out and then you can make it better on the next draft.
Location:Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Most Read Book:Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire and The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Favorite Story to Tell:My high school had an exchange program with a school in Germany. During my month-long stay there, we took a three-day trip to Berlin. We were there when the country voted on keeping the still-newly unified country’s capital in Bonn or moving it back to Berlin. Berlin won the vote, and the city went crazy in celebration. Strangers were hugging each other, cars honked, people cheered, there was a massive crowd in the Breitscheidplatz – for a group of kids from a small town in Arkansas, this was like nothing we’d ever seen. We were welcomed to the celebration like we were from there, and that changed the way I looked at the world.
Chris Angelis has a PhD in English literature from the University of Tampere. Besides his academic research in Gothic/horror & science fiction literature, he is also a writer of literary fiction, and the owner of a literature blog, Home For Fiction. Furthermore, he develops programs focusing on literature, writing, and texts in general.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion:Writing is not about sales, recognition, riches, or glory. It’s not about pleasing others. Writing is about an attempt to understand the world and, if possible, to dream a better one into being. Ultimately, we all write for ourselves.
Location:Tampere, Finland
Most Read Book:For purely practical reasons (my doctoral dissertation), I must have read Dracula so many times that it’s embarrassing to count.
Favorite Story to Tell: When I was 11 or 12, vacationing at my grandparents’ house, I accidentally drank some lighting fluid that was kept in an empty water bottle. I was terrified, but even more so when I heard a neighbor suggesting I should be taken to the hospital. My grandparents thought there was no danger – they gave me to drink some milk and olive oil. I was fine a few hours later, though my breath smelled like a disintegrating diesel engine for a couple of days. Ah, fun times…
Joaquin is a graduate of Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with a degree in Business Administration. He was a software engineer for many years, working mostly for the U.S. government as a contractor. He has always enjoyed the idea of trying to interpret what people are saying, either verbally or in writing and has always been interested in languages. That’s how he found his way into copy editing and proofreading, which he really enjoys.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: If you want something hard enough, you’ll find a way to get it or get it done. Define your goal, draw up a plan, and execute the plan. Repeat or refine as necessary. This applies to writing too.
Location:Duncan, South Carolina
Most Read Book:1984 by George Orwell
Favorite Story to Tell: A friend of mine and I were in Australia many years ago, in the U.S. military. One night, we were approached by a couple of “characters” in a nightclub. They asked us to go somewhere else for drinks. We did. Came to find out, both individuals were from a couple of then unfriendly Eastern Bloc countries, trying to get my friend and me drunk and probably looking to get information out of us. We got out of there fast.
Lawina is a journalist by profession, with experience in Project Management, content writing and editing, and social media management. She has created content for websites, blogs, research, and technical fields. Previously, Lawina worked as a news editor for a local news and lifestyle website in Kenya. There, her favourite part of the job was to mentor new writers, as she loved to see them grow. As an Executive Assistant, she ensures the smooth operation of the company. With her previous experience in Project Management and customer service, she can handle client inquiries and other admin related duties. Lawina is also a dog lover who loves cooking, reading, and spending time with her family during her free time.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Writing should be expressive and conversational. Your readers should be able to feel closer to you while reading your content. They should feel like you are having a conversation with them (Make your content relatable). Also, you don’t have to be too formal to pass your message across. Let your personality stand out through your writing. Crack some jokes, engage the readers and just let your words flow.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Most Read Book:Think Big by Ben Carson
Favorite Story to Tell: I don’t really have a favourite personal story. I am naturally a storyteller and I narrate stories depending on what we are discussing at the time. I feel like my whole life has been an adventure, and therefore, I just tell stories as I remember without necessarily having a favourite one.
Allie holds a B.A. in psychology and philosophy and a M.A. in applied philosophy and ethics. She is currently a doctorate student studying developmental education with a concentration in literacy. She loves working with people on growing their writing skills and changing the traditional narrative in academia. In her free time, Allie enjoys snuggling her cat and dog, hiking, yoga, baking, and indulging in countless hours of Netflix. Her favorite thing to bake are sugar cookies – perfect for all times of the day!
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: There is no ‘right’ way to write and the process can be messy. Yes, there is an ‘academic’ standard and that is only one form writing. Let the words flow in whatever way they come to you and then keep going!
Location:San Marcos, Texas, USA
Most Read Book:Tisha by Robert Specht and Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Favorite Story to Tell: The 5th grade class at the school I attended always competed in a pentathlon after learning about Greek history. The pentathlon consisted of a race, long-jump, javelin throw, discus throw, and a wrestling match. I am not the most athletic person, but I went undefeated both in practice and day of pentathlon against the girls and boys in wrestling. The final round even had a do-over. My family still raves that it is one of my greatest accomplishments and it was a match to be remembered. What makes this story so hilarious to me is that if I run into people nowadays that were there, they bring it up! One lady came to a yoga class I was teaching and shared that her family and her regularly discuss it at their dinner table!
Julia Hess graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Master of Arts degree in English. She has worked as a college writing tutor and instructor, a contractor at a major tech company, and a freelance editor and writer. An avid podcast listener, Julia provided editorial feedback, consultation, and detailed show notes for CYC’s podcast, Writers Rough Drafts when it was still active.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: You don’t always need a super rigid outline to produce a powerfully written piece. Organization is definitely important, but it can sometimes be easier to reorganize ideas and paragraphs once it’s all been written out, since some of your best ideas may form organically while you’re writing. Making a loose outline is great if that’s your style, but it’s also good to be flexible with your own ideas – they could totally develop in new and exciting ways beyond what you envisioned in the first place!
Location:Seattle, Washington, USA
Most Read Book:A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Nick graduated from Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Canada with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Soon after graduation, he was recruited for a Community Manager job by a tech startup, which sounded a whole lot better than working in an insurance company call center. When the startup failed to start up, Nick went through something of an existential crisis as he figured himself out. He tried multi-level marketing, B2B sales, acting, wrestling, and writing. The latter stuck. Nick went through the Fiverr trenches and the content mills, but these days he works whatever full-time job he needs to in order to pay the bills. He really comes alive when he's writing, usually on a powder blue typewriter he snagged for $25. His dream is to be a best-selling author—currently at novel attempt #3—but until then he's just happy to have his work read.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: Strive to write every day. Accept no substitute
Location:Montréal, Québec, Canada
Most Read Book:The Hobbit
Favorite Story to Tell: I learned to scuba dive at 15 during a family vacation in the Dominican Republic, while my father was simultaneously pursuing rescue diver training. His training included an exercise that was basically an underwater game of hide and seek. So I found a cozy hiding place by some coral and watched tropical fish swim by overhead. His job was to find me and take me back to shore while I played dead. Problem was, the instructor didn't tell anyone on the beach that this was a drill, including my mother. She had something of an extreme reaction.
Sena Gürdoğan is a graduate of English Language and Literature from Istanbul University. She worked as an editor, publishing cordinator and translator in many publishing houses. Science fiction is her favorite genre, and she likes to discover new sci-fi writers whenever she has time. Sena also likes to watch underwater documentaries, watch educational videos on Youtube and her favorite shows on Netflix, and skateboarding whenever she finds a perfect spot.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: There’s always something to learn from people but in order to stand out and be original, we sometimes need to show the courage to be different and be our weird-selves by embracing our vulnerabilities.
Location:Istanbul, Turkey
Most Read Book:The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
Favorite Story to Tell: I’ve always heard from my friends how my mother’s diction is so beautiful and she speaks so delicately but since she’s my mother, I didn’t really take notice of it. Lately, I’ve read a couple of writings she’s done about some incidences that happened in the last years (with her permission, of course). And I was surprised to see how her writing is also delicate and so nice to read, like she has some kind of original style. It made me think about how we might not notice things so close to us, and hopefully I’ve inherited some of her qualities.
Alice Sholto-Douglas completed her Master’s in English Language, Literature, and Modernity at the University of Cape Town in 2019. Additionally, she holds an Honours degree in Contemporary Culture and Creative Production (Global Liberal Studies) from New York University. For the last four years, she has taught English at the University of Cape Town, and she currently works as an editorial assistant for Social Dynamics Journal (Taylor & Francis). Writing and teaching are two of her favourite things in the world. She believes that anyone can write well with enough time and the right instruction.
Location:Cape Town, South Africa
Most Read Book:The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
Favorite Story to Tell: When I was little, about ten years old, I wrote a letter to Dumbledore (from the Harry Potter series) because I was under the illusion that Hermione was me in the future, and I needed him to know. It made complete sense in my head. In the letter, I wrote, "I have a ginger cat, like Hermione, love school and books ... like Hermione. I think I might be Hermione. I know it's silly! But I think it's true" – and then, scrunched up because I'd run out of space – "Please write back." I left it on the windowsill for an owl, and Dumbledore never wrote back.
Danielle graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA in History and a Minor in Applied Ethics. She finds writing about herself a tad awkward but is willing to give it a shot! She worked in the hospitality industry for six years where she learned exactly how to keep people happy and is now working on the same for herself. Danielle has a passion for correction, perfection and making things shine. This is truly all-encompassing—from washing dishes to photo retouching and, of course, editing! She happily lives in the PNW of Canada, and loves exploring forest trails, paddleboarding at the lake, and generally being near the ocean in her free time.
I believe in this principle, even though it isn’t always the popular opinion: The world doesn’t hate us for making something imperfect. Perfectionism gets in the way of greatness. I’m slowly rewiring my brain to fully believe this myself.
Location:Victoria, BC, Canada
Most Read Book:Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Favorite Story to Tell: In 2015, I was in Nepal with my cousin when a massive earthquake hit, not far from where we were staying. When I got back from my excursion, my cousin was quite shaken up about it, but I hadn’t felt anything and didn’t know what was wrong. Turns out that exactly when the first earthquake shook the entire area, I was up in the air, paragliding! It was a wild coincidence (and the best place to be!), but I did experience the many aftershocks on the ground.
