“Dani Shaw checks every chapter and project for technical accuracy, and I confidently rely on her eagle eyes to catch mistakes and contribute improvements.”
– Jill West, Author
CompTIA Cloud+ Guide to Cloud Computing
Dani Shaw
Senior Technical Editor @ Cengage Learning
2001 to present
Responsible for textbook quality by testing the manuscripts’ steps, follow along as both the instructor and student role with the appropriate software, analyzing the veracity and accuracy of the technical content. Troubleshoot the cause of any errors, and generate a detailed report for each chapter including individual corrections and solutions.
Technical editing
As a Technical Editor, I not only check for inconsistencies and factual errors in the technical content of a book, I also provide insight and help the authors tweak their lessons and text. I have a unique position of having worked with many different authors through the years and can quickly identify their style and help with any queries. Sometimes, it’s as simple as confirming keyboard shortcuts for obscure Photoshop tools and other times a lesson may be riddled with errors and in need of an “eagle eye” to pinpoint where it went wrong.
Authors have all different kinds of backgrounds, some are professors while others are professionals in the industry. This page includes a collection of higher-education titles I have worked on recently for Cengage Learning.
My job ensures a high-quality product.
My career as a Tech Editor, although primarily behind the scenes and not exactly glamorous, gives me a good feeling at the end of the day. I’m happy that the title I worked diligently on will help others learn about the industry I am so passionate about. These books, because of the work of a Tech Editor with the team, and not just running the copy through AI, will be more accurate and more complete than they would have without my help.
Sometimes, I make it in the book credits.
I’ve provided technical editing and quality assurance (QA) for hundreds of MindTap and Practice Lab activities from different Windows, Server, and Linux environments for Cengage Learning. A sampling of my latest work includes the following titles:
- MIS 12th Ed.
- Guide to Networking Essentials
- Hands-on Windows Server
- Microsoft Exam AZ-801
- CompTIA Linux+
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Cloud+
- CompTIA CySA+
- Sasha Vodnik’s JavaScript
- Shelly Cashman Dreamweaver Comprehensive
- Shelly Cashman Photoshop Comprehensive
- Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations
- New Perspectives on XML
- Joyce Farrell’s Java
- Android Boot Camp for Developers using Java
- Microsoft Windows, Illustrated Complete
- New Perspectives on Office, Comprehensive
- Shelly Cashman Microsoft Office
- Hands-On Information Security
Dani Shaw is nothing less than a super star. I have worked with her for 15 years at Cengage Learning where she has accomplished every task I have ever put in front of her. She has a skill set of a technical person who has been Technically editing every computer related text book Cengage has ever put out, ranging from Microsoft Office to Computer Forensics. I would make an attempt to list all her skills but (Network Security, Graphic Design, Mac, PC, Ethical Hacking, Adobe, Windows, Red Hat, any OS…list goes on). Her biggest strength in using these skills is that she not only takes direction extremely well, but she has an imagination that consistently brings it to the next level.
Dani is nothing but a professional and I hope to keep working with her in any capacity.
