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Refining and polishing stories while carefully preserving the author’s voice

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services

I specialize in fiction, particularly the romance, speculative, historical, and suspense genres.

Proofreading

1–1.5¢ per word

Free your writing from common errors. This is the final check before publishing that looks for typos and errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, formatting, and word use.

I use The Chicago Manual of Style unless otherwise specified.

Copyediting and Line Editing

2–4¢ per word

Copyediting looks at the four Cs: clarity, coherency, consistency, and correctness. It includes everything covered by proofreading plus correcting syntax to improve readability, checking facts, and creating a style sheet to maintain consistency.

Copyediting looks for problems such as misplaced modifiers, words used out of context, contradictions, plot holes and missing information, potential libel and copyright issues, and awkward phrasing.

Line editing looks at the tone, flow, clarity, and language of content. It involves evaluating the writing line by line to ensure the author is making the most of every sentence. The goal is to improve the content so that it is effective and engaging for the target audience.

Line editing looks for problems such as redundancies, unnecessary modifiers, empty words or phrases that add no value, passive voice when active should be used, unparallel items or phrases, and ambiguity.

Since copyediting and line editing overlap and my clients usually need both, I offer these together as one service.

I can do a free sample edit so that I can more accurately estimate how much time your content will need and you can get a better idea of what to expect from my editing.

For more information about the different levels of editing and how this applies to fiction, see this post.

Fiction Manuscript Evaluation

$400+

This consists of reading the manuscript and writing an in-depth editorial report that analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the fiction writing techniques. This is not a line-by-line edit, and nothing in the manuscript is changed. Instead, examples from your manuscript of what was done well and what needs improvement are used to show you how to improve the writing.

I take the opportunity to point out any big-picture issues that ought to be addressed before the copyediting stage but focus on line craft issues such as viewpoint slips, effective use of descriptions, overwriting or underwriting, use of filter words or tentative language that can be cut, showing versus telling, and dialogue techniques, as well as a general assessment of the grammar, punctuation, and word usage.

This service is included in line editing, so if you hire me to do a manuscript evaluation then a line edit, the cost of the evaluation will be credited toward the line edit.

How it works

1

first

Send me an email with information about your content (such as topic, genre, length, target audience, publishing goals, which level of editing it needs, etc.) and any questions you have for me, and I will respond with my availability.

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2

Second

If the time frame is acceptable, send me your document, and I will give you a quote along with a free sample edit. I can edit in MS Word with the Track Changes feature and in Adobe Acrobat with Comments. 

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3

Third

Sign the letter of agreement and pay the deposit. I accept payment by credit card, bank payment, or Zelle.

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4

fourth

I will send you an invoice for the final payment and email your document. 

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about me

I am a freelance editor with a background in education and a love for effective communication (and for really good books). I correct the errors and improve the flow for writers so their message is unimpeded.

I have a BA in communication (technical writing) and worked as a private tutor while editing academic papers on a volunteer basis, but my passion is the craft of editing fiction so it is clear, correct, consistent, and compelling for readers. When I became a professional editor, I completed the High-Level Proofreading and Copyediting Pro and the Art of Line Editing training courses taught by Edit Republic and Fiction Boot Camp taught by The PEN Institute.

 My love of language has turned into a career that allows me to help writers communicate their ideas and stories clearly.

Books I Use

Testimonials

"Prompt, professional, precise, thorough, easy to understand, helpful. She is a pleasure to work with. Her work is superb. I would highly recommend her services to anyone who needs an expert, detail-oriented eye to take a piece of writing to the next level of excellence."
Wesley Tillett
"I would one hundred percent recommend Katy. She was right on time, every time, and always responded to emails quickly. She is prompt, professional, kind, and incredibly detail oriented. The notes she gave were great, and I really like that she took the time to send me extra materials. It shows that she really cares about her clients and the quality of work she’s doing. She is a pleasure to work with!"
S.M. Reeve
"I appreciated her skillful eye and knowledge about how to make the manuscript the best it could be. Her responses were timely, and I felt like she was available if I needed to ask questions. She made me feel as comfortable as possible even though the very idea of hiring an editor and investing money in my manuscript was terrifying. If anyone asks me about this process, I would recommend her for sure. Her work was thorough and excellent."
Emily Getzfreid
"I would refer Katy to any friend who needs a manuscript proofread. She is incredibly professional, efficient, and relatable. Being a busy person, I really appreciated being able to hand my manuscript over to her and know I would get quality results with no need for back and forth on my part. Her edits are clean, succinct, and with helpful explanations. She is an excellent proofreader."
Hayley Bennett Lyle
"When I completed my thesis for my MS in emergency and disaster management, Katy was very helpful in making sure I met all MLS referencing standards and guidelines. She never tried to change my content or thoughts. She did make sure that they were presented accurately and properly. If I ever decide to go down a doctoral path, I would want Katy working with me!"
Gavin F.
"Katy is very professional, and I enjoyed working with her. She is always clear with price/time estimates and always sticks to the deadline. Highly recommend!"
Alexandra G.
"There is a lot I could say, but I will just say that she is fast, professional, and rich in ideas and different ways to propose changes. If you need anything to be written, Katy is the right professional for you (and for me as well because I will hire her again)."
Luciano D.
"I can’t begin to say how unique Katy is to work with. One hundred and ten percent in every important category: work quality, professionalism, and punctuality. Her conscientiousness is more than unusual in the world we live in today."
Jack Studnicky

Contact Me

Contact me with any questions at katy@bookhoundediting.com.
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