Welcome to Iridescent Inkwell
My name is Courtney (Coco) Diles Henderson. As a writer, editor, and mental health advocate, I created Iridescent Inkwell to encourage, inspire, and hype great writers, projects, and nonprofits.​
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I currently offer a range of services editing books, writing grants and technical proposals, and providing mental health sensitivity reading.
My skill set and interests are broad. Common advice tells use to pick a type of specialization and only focus on the one. I am proud to have a range of skills and a wide-ranging Honors College education to back them up.
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I am a lifelong learner and the skills I offer will always be evolving.​ Please take a look around and let me know if I'm a fit for your needs. ​
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None of the content on this site will ever be AI-generated.
Career Summary
I have a BA in English with a Writing Concentration from the University of South Carolina Honors College and fourteen years of publishing industry experience dating back to 2008. I started going to writing conventions when I was in high school. After my internship with Penguin Random House in 2012, I began editing for authors on a freelance basis. As I expanded my professional interests, books remained an inextricable part of my career. I specialize in YA fantasy, paranormal romance, and comics.
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I have nine years of experience in the more technical side of writing. I have offered quality assurance, proofreading, and technical writing and editing services to companies such as GP Strategies Corporation, Amatrol, inc., Talentopia, EPAM Systems, Bank of America, Gulfstream Aerospace Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance, and more.
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To supplement my freelance work, I currently work part-time at my local library!
Have We Met?
If I look familiar, you might have seen me around. I've been on hiatus from conventions for a couple of years to manage my disabilities, but I'll be back soon!
Conferences, Workshops, & Conventions
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Southeastern Writer's Association Conference 2008–2013 (St. Simon's Island, GA—I got married here!)
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South Carolina Writer's Workshop Conference 2008–2015
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GenCon 2017, 2018, 2019 (Indianapolis, IN)
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BookExpo America 2012 (NYC
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Basics of Self-Publishing Writing Workshop with Robert Kent 2016 (Indianapolis, IN)
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MadCap Writing Cross-Culturally Retreat 2018 (Nashville, TN)
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Elements of Grantwriting with Clarence Bolden 2019 (Indianapolis, IN)
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Imaginarium Convention 2018, 2019, and 2020 (Lousiville, KY)
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Southeastern Writer's Association
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South Carolina Writer's Workshop Rock Hill Critique Group 2009
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South Carolina Writer's Workshop Columbia II Critique Group 2009-2013
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South Carolina Writer's Workshop Board 2013-2015
- NaNoWriMo Bloomington!
- Louisville Writer's Meetup 2017-2022
- Society of Children's Book Writer's and Editors 2010–2016