The Editing Field from an International Perspective: An Interview with Aisha “Ash P” Panjwaneey
The Northwest Editors Guild blog team had the fabulous opportunity to chat recently with Aisha “Ash P” Panjwaneey, owner of Ash P Reads Editing Services. Aisha has two decades of experience in editing across diverse genres and online content. Known among peers as "the book surgeon," she specializes in safe-for-work nonfiction and fiction for all ages. We’re excited to share with you everything we learned from that discussion and her experiences.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of editing you do?
A: I was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. I tried out a variety of professions before settling on teaching. Between 1996 and 2002, I was an early childhood educator. I became a stay-at-home mom because I felt my daughter, who was one, deserved my attention and energy more. I started my editing career as a volunteer in 2003. I returned to teaching 2008–2011. And since 2012, I have been editing full time.
I edit safe-for-work (meaning nothing explicitly sexual, obscene, or potentially offensive) fiction and nonfiction for all ages. I enjoy proofreading, line edits and copyedits more than developmental editing, which I do for nonfiction (memoirs, self-help, etc.) and children’s literature.
Q: What inspired you to enter the editing field?
A: I’m sure most of us editors started out as the one person friends and family members turned to when they needed something in their writing checked or fixed. I was that person in my circle as my English was better than most, and I had a keen eye for typos and sticky sentences. I edited cover letters, résumés, college applications and essays, legal documents, visa applications, etc. I was also the proverbial bookworm. I read a book a day. I’m a proud logophile, lexophile, bibliophile, and librocubicularist. Editing was a natural path for me to take.
Q: What kind of training or experience did you have that helped you break into editing?
A: No formal training for editing is available in Pakistan. You have to make do with what is available and teach yourself what you can. Certifications and courses from international associations like the EFA or CIEP aren’t affordable for the average working class.
I did my Bachelor’s degree in English literature, education, and mass communications. In 2003, I volunteered my skills for a nonprofit—I am still with them. I work on their website pages and social media content. I translate and subtitle (Urdu–English) lectures, podcasts, etc. I do some content creation and fact-checking as well. This is where I got my start. I’ve taught myself the language and skills for editing by reading books, scouring the internet, and in the last two years, through networking and webinars.
Then in 2007, I won two books from a fairly new indie author. I enjoyed the books, but they were chock-full of typos. I contacted the author and sent her a list of the typos. She sent me two other books in her series as a thank you, and I found more in those as well. Again, I sent her the list of typos. So when she began writing her new series, she gave me my first official editing job as a beta reader and proofreader. I’ve worked on every one of her books ever since.
Q: Upon entering the editing field, were you anticipating any kind of prejudice working with people outside of Pakistan? How did your expectations line up with your experience?
A: I did. Being from a developing country and especially one where the primary language is not English, I expected people to be wary of me. Unfortunately, the South Asian region is notorious for scamming and fraud schemes. I have faced nothing openly horrific, but the bias, be it for my name, my accent, or where I live, has been a factor for losing jobs that were otherwise “in the bag.”
Q: Have you faced any other unique obstacles with your editing work because of your background, current living situation, health considerations, etc.?
A: I wouldn’t really call them obstacles per se, but I always factor in my health issues and family responsibilities when determining how long a project is going to take for me to complete. It’s one of the perks of being an independent service provider.
My website has detailed lists of what subjects and genres I will or will not work with so I can avoid uncomfortable situations with potential clients. I am non-confrontational and introverted by nature, so I have had to work hard in the last two years to move myself out of my comfort zone. I often feel like a hermit crab without a shell, but I realized it was holding me back from learning and growing in my profession.
Q: How has your culture, background, or any other aspect of your personal identity influenced your entrepreneurship or goals?
A: I’ve never hidden that I am Pakistani, Muslim, neurodivergent, or that I have chronic health issues. The first two especially are part of my branding. My hyper focus helps me hone in on aspects of myself or my business that need tweaking. It helps me get through projects that are short on time. The downsides are I occasionally waste time on procrastination and dealing with burnout after a stressful project is over.
But I am lucky to have a fantastic network of edibuddies. The Northwest Editors Guild’s “Editors of Color Coffee Hour” and “Editing with Disability / Illness / Neurodivergence” meetings have been the most helpful. It helps to know I am not alone in my struggles.
Q: What benefits do you think your identity brings to you as an editor?
A: I have a unique perspective to offer as a sensitivity or authenticity reader as a Pakistani Muslim. I am a revert to Islam, so I also have the experience of living as a minority citizen in a Muslim-majority country. There is much about my life experiences that I can contribute when the right project comes along.
Q: What inspired ‘Ash P’ as your business name?
A: I started “Ash P Reads” as a book promotion Facebook page but then took a break from it when some real-life situations needed my attention. I revived and rebranded it in 2023 when I decided I wanted to expand and began networking actively. My name is pretty long, and it made more sense to shorten it. It’s easier to remember and pronounce for those unfamiliar with my name.
Q: Do you think editors should consider their unique identities when taking on projects or developing their businesses in the editing field?
A: Definitely. Your business, especially if it is one you have chosen, not fallen into, is an extension of you. How else would you stay invested in it enough to enjoy your work or build it up?
Q: How were you introduced to the Northwest Editors Guild? What has your experience been like within the Guild community?
A: I came across a post for the monthly free online events on LinkedIn. I've been attending several of them ever since. My experience with the Guild community has been wonderful. I’ve become acquainted with many Guild editors, and some are even friends.
Q: Would you like to see any changes within the Guild community in the future?
A: Opening up international memberships and offering courses that are affordable for editors in developing countries would be great. There aren’t enough opportunities for learning or membership that fit our budgets.
Q: What advice do you have for editors who are a part of minority groups within the editing field?
A: Don’t be afraid to explore unfamiliar fields in editing and learn what is the best fit for you. Networking and building a community for yourself is essential. You will need them if you want to make a mark in your chosen profession. For my part, I am currently building a networking community on Discord for Muslim women who are professionals in the publishing and publishing-adjacent industry. This is something I feel is still missing.
The Guild Blog Team would like to extend an enormous thanks to Aisha Panjwaneey for participating in this interview. The sincerity and transparency with which she answered our questions provide an invaluable perspective for our members and anyone who reads our blog. We appreciate the opportunity to learn about Aisha’s editing life and to welcome her to our community!
Aisha "Ash P" Panjwaneey is the owner of Ash P Reads Editing Services. She has two decades of experience in editing across diverse genres and online content. Known among peers as "the book surgeon," she specializes in safe-for-work nonfiction and fiction for all ages. Currently under the mentorship of a renowned comic book editor, Ash is expanding her expertise into new and exciting territories. She is particularly passionate about working with books for young readers and is eager to take on more projects in young adult (YA), middle grade (MG), and children's fiction, as well as graphic novels and comics.
You can find her online on her website, as well as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, and Substack.
