LANGUAGE + human connection
Wald is dedicated to elevating your work without diluting your voice.
It can be hard to see the forest. It doesn’t have to be.
The whole matters. The details matter. The context matters. It all matters.
Hi—I’m Gwen McCarter Nagle. In a previous life, I studied cultural anthropology, worked as a brand strategist, and spent more than nine years helping clients craft messaging that would resonate with their intended audience. I know good editing isn’t only about “fixing” content; it’s about helping content connect.
The passion I have for a finely crafted message is grounded in more than just a love of finding typos and correcting grammar (though love those things I do). It’s also based on a deep respect for you and your goals. As a lifelong writer myself, my approach honors your individual voice while also ensuring your ideas come across in a polished way. From the forest on down to the trees, I’m here to help you achieve a balanced whole.
My nearly 20 years of experience include editing and ghostwriting:
book chapters | essays | book manuscripts | magazines & journals | website copy | marketing materials | grant and other fundraising proposals | presentation decks | pitch decks | posters | blog posts and other long-form thought leadership content | social media posts | briefs
FOR THE CURIOUS:
ICYMI, Wald or /valt/ is the German word for forest. Right up there with my affection for language in general is a specific adoration of the German language specifically. I spent my junior year of college living and studying in Freiburg im Breisgau, located on the edge of the Black Forest—or Schwarzwald. That dreamy, storied landscape stuck with me, and I think about it almost as often as I do making good ideas flourish.
What People Are Saying:
“Gwen is an excellent, highly professional editor. I have a lot of experience as a former journalist and the highest compliment I can give is that she made my writing better. Gwen has an eye for detail but takes a ‘do no harm’ approach that makes her a pleasure to work with.”
— Writer & Activist
“Gwen is a rare find, offering a blend of scholarly rigor and empathetic understanding. She’s got a strong command of language, with the attention to detail you’d expect or a great editor. It’s her background in anthropology that gives her this special edge. She sees the words on the page, and the human stories behind them. Gwen can turn jumbled thoughts into coherent narratives that make big ideas accessible. As a collaborator, she offers respect and empathy that can only come from someone who has spent years studying human cultures. With Gwen, your writing and your perspective will be in the best of hands. Highly recommend!”
— Communications Consultant
“Communication with Gwen was great! She was prompt and professional, and I always felt more calm and confident about my work after each of our meetings.”
— Wellness Consultant
“When I talk to Gwen, I know that she gets it. Her writing is 5 out of 5 stars.”
— Management Consultant
“I was impressed with not only Gwen’s attention to detail such as catching nuances and errors that I had overlooked, but also her ability to provide me with suggestions that enhanced the clarity and flow. She was able to apply critical thinking and emotional intelligence skills that helped me elevate the quality of my work, as opposed to working with someone who simply corrected grammar and spelling.”
— PUBLIC HEALTH Professional
“Gwen is one of my all-time favorite humans to collaborate with. She not only brings her unique perspective to the table but also has a knack for truly listening to your vision, enhancing your ideas, and pulling out insights you didn’t even know you had. If you want your craft to stand out from the sea of mundane AI-generated crap humanity is wading into, let Gwen be your guide back onto the shores of inspired, thoughtful work.”
— BRAND STRATEGIST
“I really appreciated that throughout the process she respected my voice and style, and that the work still felt like my own work in the end. The final product made it possible for me adapt it for multiple audiences with ease.”
— Education Specialist
“Working with Gwen as our Editor In Chief was a transformative experience for the team. Amid the fast-paced and often chaotic environment of content creation, Gwen stood as a beacon of calm and clarity. Her ability to produce and curate high-quality content consistently impressed us all. She possesses a rare combination of speed, efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to excellence that made our projects successful and enjoyable. Her leadership skills are only matched by her warm and approachable nature, making her a joy to work with. I wholeheartedly recommend Gwen for any endeavor she chooses, as she will undoubtedly elevate the work and the team she is part of.”
— Design/Build Professional
“Saying that Gwen has a knack for words would downplay her magical abilities. She is able to stitch together words with intent and paragraphs with purpose. Gwen will make your work the envy of any college English professor.”
— Leadership Executive
“Gwen is a masterful editor with a thoughtful ability to find just the right words to convey an author’s message. I’d recommend her to anyone wanting to bring their writing to a higher level of professionalism.”
— CIVIL SERVANT
“Gwen’s expertise as an editor was invaluable when I was publishing my first book.”
— Writer & Entrepreneur
QUESTIONS?
I’d love to hear from you.