My name is Karen Bernardo, and I'm the director of the Coburn Free Library in Owego, New York. (If you're wondering, though, they don't finance this site in any way.) I'm also a freelance writer and editor; and at various points in my life, I've been an in-house editor for a small press, an in-house editor for an academic publisher, a graphic designer, a desktop publishing consultant, and a staff writer for a weekly paper. I have a degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Binghamton University (known as the State University of New York at Binghamton when I went there).

At www.storybites.com/storybites.html , I review short stories because I write and love them. I think short stories are the perfect juncture between poetry and novels -- they're big enough to paint a picture, but brief enough that every word counts.

On my companion site, www.storybites.com/kbds.html, you'll find my freelance editing and writing spot. My philosophy is a little different from most editors; it's more important to me to help you learn to write than it is to make money off you. This doesn't mean I don't charge for editing -- I definitely do -- but I don't change your manuscript and send it back without any explanation of why I've changed what I've changed. I'll work with you until the manuscript is the best we both can make it.

And I've just set up a blog on WordPress so we can talk about writing -- both our own and other people's (in other words, if you want my take on Flannery O'Connor, I'll give it to you, and I'd be happy to hear yours). I may also weigh in on various other personal rants, like the United States' need for universal health care, but my initial intention is to keep those to a minimum.

Thanks so much for supporting literature with your time and attention!