Editing Services

Kathy was nominated for BEST EDITOR in the Preditors and Editors Poll, January 2003.

“Traditional publishers are increasingly demanding that authors deliver submissions in nearly publishable shape (which may mean they have to pay for an independent copyedit if they don’t want to be embarrassed by their book down the road).” -- Finding Go! Matching Questions and Resources in Getting Published (Winterwolf, 2004).

I love working with writers at all stages, from aspiring beginners to established authors. Whatever stage you're at in your writing, I can help you get to the next level.

My comprehensive editorial services include the following areas. (You may choose whichever ones you need most.)

Overall critique. I analyze your manuscript to assess the marketability of the concept, organization of the material, and the overall tone of the writing.

Substantive edit. I check for such things as development, consistency, pace, and ease of readability. I suggest ways to increase smoothness, eliminate ambiguity, and tighten the writing. I also look for words and phrases that may be offensive to certain readers, and advise authors of the appropriate guidelines for use and permission of quoted material.

Line-by-line copyedit. I check for pronouns that do not modify the appropriate nouns and verbs that do not match their subjects. I point out cliches, jargon, dangling modifiers, repetitive words or phrases, and run-on sentences or paragraphs. I indicate where the writing sounds stilted or unrealistic. For fiction manuscripts, I highlight areas where the author needs to "show, not tell" and use active voice rather than passive. For nonfiction, I indicate how certain fiction techniques can improve the manuscript. I also proofread for typos and errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation according to the publishing industry's standard references (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition, The Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition, and, where appropriate, A Christian Writer's Manual of Style).

Marketing assistance. Proofreading, editing, and critique of cover letter, synopsis or summary, and other facets of a book proposal.

Mentoring service. If you're interested in a long-term working relationship, in which you will learn a variety of writing techniques using your own manuscript(s) for the lessons and assignments, I can provide a variety of instructional material and specific suggestions on how to improve your manuscript while honing your skills and taking your writing abilities to the next level. Click here to find out more.

Ghostwriting/Collaborating
Got an idea for a book, but don’t want to go to all the time, trouble, and expense of learning how to write professionally? I can help you:

• get your thoughts on paper
• organize your material
• categorize your book concept
• identify target readership
• get the manuscript written
• edit, proofread, and polish
• determine which publishing options work best for you

All work can be done in a document file sent by e-mail (using the Track Changes feature) or in ink on handwritten pages. Printed pages generally take less time to edit, which would therefore cost a little less.

I charge by the hour rather than by the page. That way, the more polished your manuscript is when you send it to me, the less you pay!

Click here to e-mail me  about your current work-in-progress so we can determine how I can best help you. Please include:

• a paragraph describing your manuscript content/focus/theme
• an indication of the type or level of editing you're looking for
• whether you're shooting for a commercial publisher or planning to self-publish
• your deadline/turnaround goal

If you've had your manuscript professionally edited, you would say so in your cover letter or query letter to potential publishers. James Russell Publishing says, "Informing the editor the manuscript has been professionally edited will increase your probability of being published 1,000% or more!" (See his advice here.)

Click here to find out about Editing, Critiquing, and Proofreading Projects I've Done

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