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Editing Services

Whether you’re a published or unpublished writer, a novice or a veteran, getting words on the page can beat you down. I’m here to lift you up.

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Are you revising a manuscript and don’t know if you’re making the right stylistic/plot choices?

  • I’ll give you an expert review of your manuscript to make sure you’re on the right track.

Are you unsure if your revised manuscript is ready to query agents or be self-published?

  • I’ll give you thorough feedback to push your manuscript the last mile.

Are you looking for a professional eye on your work without investing in a full intensive edit?

  • I’ll give you a combined big-picture and intensive breakdown of your project.

Are you faced with query rejections, unsure where you’ve gone wrong?

  • I’ll help you polish that baby until it shines.

 

Writing is hard. Writing solo is even harder. As an editor, I’m here to help you craft the book you were meant to write. This is your baby. Your heart and soul is in every word you type. My job is to help YOU shape YOUR story, so others will get swept away in the riveting world you’ve imagined.

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Hand Writing

Why work with me?

 

  • Character development

  • Voice

  • Plotting

  • Pacing

  • Dialogue

 

My strengths lie in helping build strong characters your readers will care about. The elusive quality known as “voice” is one of my favorite things to help develop. Without a compelling voice, it’s near impossible to snag an agent or editor or keep a reader invested. Untangling rough plotting and pacing is at the heart of my wheelhouse. If your book suffers from the dreaded saggy middle, I’m your gal. Lacking tension? We’ll ratchet it up.  Dialogue! Sharp and snappy is my sweet spot. Tackling formatting issues, use of garbage and crutch words, and general grammar problems are my jam. I'm not a copy editor, but I'll flag all issues I see.

 

My editing style:

I’m honest to a fault, even if it isn’t what you want to hear. I’ll also cackle over your hilarious lines and swoon over your brilliant prose, so you can see where your writing shines. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the ugly and promise to always do my best to keep you inspired.

 

The genres I edit:

At this time, I'm only editing fiction manuscripts. I love working on YA, NA, and adult stories from writers of diverse backgrounds. All stories need strong structures, and I can help you strengthen your foundation. If you write middle grade, horror, or non-fiction, another editor will be better suited to your needs.

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Books
Typewriter

My writing stats:

I’ve been published since 2016. I'm a hybrid author with both traditional and self-publishing experience, giving me an informed bird’s-eye-view of the ever-changing publishing landscape. My work has been translated and sold in Italy, Germany, and Poland. I’ve worked as a Pitch Wars mentor, helping writers like you edit their books to pitch agents and get book deals. I get ridiculously excited to help writers reach their goals!

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"I sent a draft of my romance manuscript to Kelly because I was struggling with the latter half and felt I needed a second opinion. She gave me the good, bad, and ugly. She was able to provide not only stylistic and dialogue edits on the manuscript, but also provided brilliant suggestions on pacing (how to fix a sagging middle) and how to keep tone and character ARCs consistent. Her edit letter was so detailed and provided ample guidance, as she took the time to understand my vision for the story. She also provided her edits well within our agreed upon time frame and was so responsive throughout!

 

A month following the receipt of her edits, I tried my hand at querying my top 10 literary agents. I ended up receiving multiple full requests and 3 offers of representation within 3 days. It was surreal, and I am so grateful to Kelly for her hard work on this story with me! I highly recommend Kelly's services, especially to newer writers trying to find their voice."

~ Amy Lea, author of Set on You

TESTIMONIALS:

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"Working with an editor or coach can sound scary but here's the deal: working with Kelly is *fun*. You'll come away from your meetings with a full idea of how to make your book better, but also what makes your work good, what to keep, and places that you made her laugh or swoon. And because it feels like working with a smart friend, and not a scary industry person, you feel comfortable asking the questions you need to move forward. I can promise that Kelly will make you laugh, inspire you to make your work better, and she'll give you expert guidance that seems achievable every step of the way.

 

I can't recommend a better person to partner with on your work, whether you're an aspiring writer, or a published author dealing with a temperamental project."

~ Meghan Scott Molin, author of The Frame-Up

"Kelly played an integral role in the process of getting my story query-ready. She caught so many things I missed and really helped me fine-tune my plot and characters. Her style is tough but fair, with equal parts encouragement and cheer! Thanks to her help, I was able to find a wonderful agent for my book!"

~ Stephanie Eding, author of The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale

PRICING

(All pricing is in USD.)

 

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATIONS

You have a completed manuscript and want to make sure it’s the absolute best it can be.

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Broad Developmental Edit

Cost: $0.009/word

  • You’ll receive an editorial letter outlining character/plotting/pacing/writing issues, with suggestions on how to fix the problems. There are no in-line editorial notes with this evaluation.

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Intensive Developmental Edit

Cost: $0.018/word

  • You’ll receive an editorial letter outlining character/plotting/pacing/writing issues with suggestions on how to fix the problems.

  • You’ll receive detailed in-line notes, giving you insight into specific trouble areas. I’ll show you exactly where the characters and plotting are struggling and point out grammatical issues, crutch words, and clunky sentences. I’ll also tell you everything I love about your piece!

  • Includes a one hour video call to discuss any issues you're having with your revisions.

 

Combo Developmental Edit

Cost: $0.018/word on the first 50 pages, then $0.009/word on the remaining pages in the manuscript

  • You’ll receive an editorial letter outlining character/plotting/pacing/writing issues with suggestions on how to fix the problems. This covers a read of the entire manuscript.

  • You’ll receive detailed in-line notes on the first 50 pages of your manuscript, giving you insight into specific trouble areas. I’ll show you exactly where the characters and plotting are struggling and point out grammatical issues, crutch words, and clunky sentences. I’ll also tell you everything I love about your piece!

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BOOK COACHING SERVICES

Cost: $40/hour, including the time I need to work on materials or think through issues that arise when crafting replies and/or before meetings.

  • My book coaching services are tailored to the individual writer. Some writers create best when they brainstorm with someone during the drafting process. Some thrive with accountability, so we have set times to talk and discuss their progress. Others like to work with me to build their books from the ground up, through plotting and worksheets (where needed), sending material back and forth, only moving on when the character development and story are solid. This way they don't finish with a book that needs tons of revisions.

  • Coaching can be in the form of video or phone chats or emails. How much we work together is up to the individual writer, which leaves it incredibly flexible. 

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BACK-COVER COPY

This service if for authors looking to self-publish their books.

Cost: $75

  • After you fill out my book-blurb form, I'll send you a draft of your back-cover copy.

  • You'll read the copy and send it back to me with your thoughts and changes.

  • We will repeat that process up to two more times to make sure you're thrilled with the final back-cover copy for your book.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDANCE

Let me help you polish your pitch!

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Query Evaluation – 2 passes

Cost: $45

  • You’ll receive detailed feedback with in-line notes on two drafts of your query letter.

 

Synopsis Evaluation - 2 passes

Cost: $59

  • You’ll receive detailed feedback with in-line notes on two drafts of your synopsis. Synopsis must be written in 12 pt, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, maximum 3 pages.

  • A synopsis evaluation can often help identify big-picture developmental issues in the manuscript, without a manuscript evaluation.

 

Submission Package

Cost: $125

  • You’ll receive detailed feedback on one pass of your query letter.

  • You’ll receive detailed feedback on one pass of your synopsis. (See Synopsis Evaluation for specifics on length.)

  • You’ll receive detailed in-line notes on the first chapter of your manuscript, up to 12 pages.

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*All prices are in USD.

*All payments are made through Paypal.

*All bookings require 50% deposit, with the balance paid upon return of the work, prior to any scheduled phone calls, if applicable, except book coaching which requires a $100 deposit and is then charged monthly.

*Manuscripts must be in correct formatting: 12 pt, double-spaced, Times New Roman font.

To purchase one of these services, fill out the contact form below with the following information:

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  • Which service you’re interested in.

  • Your ideal timeline.

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Make your dream a reality!

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