Editing Services

General Information

As the writer of any type of content, you have done the hard work. So first, congratulations! You did it! Now, you need a guide to help smooth out any potential issues.

I act as that guide—a beacon—building a trusting partnership with you through kindly worded queries, astute suggestions, and changes that preserve your voice.

Instead of paying for multiple editors, you can hire me for multiple editing needs in one package deal, saving you time and money. My package deal includes several passes so I can address big-picture issues while also focusing in on every detail.

My credentials

  • Completed professional editing courses (see course list)

  • Recognized as the top preferred editor for SPS within 4 months editing for their clients

  • Received a glowing recommendation from my nonfiction and fiction developmental editing teacher: she had never met anyone who picked up the art of developmental editing as quickly as I did

  • Edited over 200 books, 6 websites, 8 business documents, 37 resumes and cover letters, 48 biographies, and 5 personal statements

  • 7 years' editing experience

  • Earned my bachelor's in English education with honors

Editing services I offer

  • Substantive editing/developmental editing: suggesting and making changes to content and organization—ensuring clear, coherent delivery. With fiction this means looking at plot, characters, setting, pacing, and point of view.

  • Copyediting: fixing errors with grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; suggesting changes to sentence structure and word choice, ensuring your language is clear, fluid, and pleasurable to read; and ensuring consistency.

  • *My copyediting service includes what some call line or stylistic editing.

  • Proofreading: fixing remaining errors with grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; fixing formatting errors; and commenting on any awkward phrasing (this service comes after editing).

Clients I work with

Each client page contains my rates, portfolio, contact form, and testimonials specific to that type of client.

  • Fiction Authors: YA fantasy, supernatural; YA and adult dystopian, mystery, thriller; middle grade; picture books; and chapter books

  • Nonfiction Authors: self-help, business, how-to, memoirs, and religious guide books.

  • Business Professionals: website content, business marketing documents, and self-marketing documents (resumes, cover letters, biographies, and personal statements)

Want to learn more about my rates and services and discuss a partnership?

Just go to the individual client page, and then when you are ready to discuss a partnership, click the button on that page to fill out the form.

Testimonials

Featured Review from Nicholas Boothman, a New York Times Bestselling Author:

5 Stars! A great book is two hands clapping. One is the writer; the other the editor. I have worked with a lot of top editors over the years and while they all have talent the majority live in a world of their own timing – they are not reliable. So while there may well be two hands clapping they don’t clap at the same time which leads the writer into realms of frustration. Waiting, wondering and worrying. Not so with Katie Chambers. She is an excellent substantive editor and is prompt and reliable. A pleasure and a relief to work with. That being said the bottom line with any review is would you work with this person again? And the answer is a definite yes. And I will recommend her to my fellow authors and speakers. Thanks Katie.

Katie was easy to work with and made excellent recommendations for improving my manuscript. She clearly explained any changes she made and responded to my questions promptly.

Michael Wedaa
how-to book

Katie is very good at keeping in touch about the assignment regarding questions she has, and she also gets the work done ahead of time.

website content

I enjoyed my experience working with Katie. As a first time author, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the editing process. I heard horror stories about editors completely changing your words, and writers losing confidence and giving up. I never experienced any of these working with Katie. In reality, she motivated me to think deeper and create a product that my readers will find valuable. I’m passionate about helping social service professionals and the notes Katie provided pushed me to create a product that will make a difference. If you’re looking for an editor that will challenge you to become a better writer while giving your manuscript the transformation it needs, I HIGHLY recommend you work with Katie.

Sabrina
business book

When I first read about Katie, I felt an instant connection with her. Somehow I just knew I was suppose to contact her, and right away she made me to feel important, safe and at peace. (I was very anxious about turning my book/manuscript over to a stranger.) There are no adequate words to express how very pleased I am with what she has done with my revised book. Her organizational skills are phenomenal. She was able to take my very detailed, sometimes confusing personal story, and make it much easier to follow. She encouraged me, embraced my story, and validated me as a writer. Above all she was patient with this 78 year-old-woman who has limited computer skills, which caused me to be overly stressed at times, and is somewhat forgetful. I would highly recommend this kind, thoughtful, talented woman I call My Editor. I thank God continually for putting her in my path. Thank you, Katie; God willing, there will be more books coming your way from me. nk

Nola Trewin
memoir & self-help book

Katie is so professional and has impeccable attention to detail. Working with her has really taught me a lot, had it not be for her my book would be just average, she really elevated my work. Thank you Katie!

Becki Galea
how-to book

Katie Chambers is a delight to work with. She is prompt, efficient, incredibly knowledgeable and very good at what she does, editing. She has edited my three children’s chapter books and lifted them each to a higher level of writing. Even though she was contracted to specifically deal with grammar, and punctuation, and stylistic word choice and flow, she also gave insights into potential plot problems or suggestions for better character development. She took an interest in my work. I had written these books as a series with the first book initially quite a bit shorter than the other two. Katie helped me realize that as a children’s series, the books needed to be near the same word count to meet the requirements suitable for the intended audience. Thus, she has helped me in all aspects of children’s book writing, handing me a golden opportunity to have these stories reach their highest potential: as a series and a stand alone. The best part about about my experience with Katie is that she gives corrections and feedback professionally and matter of factly. I never once felt judged or diminished in the slightest way. She continually made me feel we were a team and from this positive experience, I have had every opportunity to grow as a writer. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Katie as a professional editor to anyone. I will always send my work to her for her critical expertise. My book venture absolutely depends on it. Thanks Katie!

Chatherine Russell
chapter book

Katie helped me in a very crucial moment of my book production. I was in the middle of editing with another editor when they stated book was ready. I felt it needed more. When I first communicated how I felt with Katie she was very understanding. She patiently explained her process and asked questions that I was not asked before. Being a first time author there are lots of things one can miss. I felt that she picked up the pieces of where I was at and she patiently helped in molding my manuscript. Also I was at times stuck in knowing what I wanted to say but having a hard time using the right words. She also patiently helped me overcome these obstacles without taking away my voice but rather helping me clarify. I am so happy with her service on so many levels! Highly, highly recommend her.

Neal Linares
memoir

Katie’s review of my manuscript was prompt and she significantly improved the quality and readability of my story for which I am sincerely appreciative. She made many insightful suggestions along with wonderful edits. I highly recommend her editing services.

Vernon Baumrind

My mom and I worked together to write her Amish memoir and we really needed an editor who would both have cultural sensitivity and help us provide clarity for the reader. Katie excelled, helping us tie up loose ends and providing suggestions that made this book so much better. Thank God for Katie! We’re so grateful that we chose to work with her.

Meg Delagrange
memoir

Katie is a highly organized professional who provided insight and suggestions to improve my writing. She guided me through the editing process and thoughtfully considered not only grammar and organization but also the flow and intent of the book itself. She took my project as seriously as I did and paid attention to every detail. I would work with her again in a heartbeat and won’t hesitate to recommend her.

Dr. Ed Foresman
how-to book

It is really interested to work with Katie, she is qualified , takes care of her work, does an effort more than the expected. That is why we paid an additional 50% of our agreed amount as bonus

Mahmoud Abdalla
business communication document

I received excellent support throughout this editing process. I was very pleased with how professional and precise my book was edited . The communication was great and ensured we were both on the same page from the beginning. Highly recommended!!

Sean Crane
memoir

This was my first book project and I really had no idea what to expect as far as the editing process. Beacon Point was extremely professional and clearly communicated the process and expectations. Everything went exactly how it was described to me. I really appreciate the responsiveness to my questions and expert guidance. Not only do I highly recommend Beacon Point to others, I intend to continue to use them for my future projects.

Nancy Miggins
self-help book

I could not be happier with the ease, professionalism, communication, and quality of feedback. We will without a doubt reach out to Katie again for future projects!

Jake Gunnoe
self-help book

I love working with Katie. She is a great editor and critic. She took the time to really improve my book and make it the best it could be. Will definitely use Katie on my future projects!!!

Maitha
self-help book

I was referred to Katie Chambers by a trusted mentor and was thrilled when she agreed to edit my children’s book manuscript. I thought it was pretty good when I submitted it, but it was so much better when she returned it. I am thrilled with her work. She set forth clear parameters, worked quickly, and gave me excellent return for my money. I would encourage any author to work with Katie to greatly improve any manuscript.

Shannon Carpenter
picture book

Extremely quick turnaround, great communication, and a solid job proofreading my resume!

resume

It was a wonderful experience working with Katie. She was proficient, professional, punctual, easy to work with, etc… She accompanied her edits with comments when appropriate; she clearly knows what she’s doing and is very good at it. She has my highest recommendation and she’ll be my first choice to edit my next book!

Vincent Huffaker
religious guide book

Katie is amazing to work with. She was responsive and communicated well with me throughout our time in editing processes. She kept me informed and explained it all in detail. It was a very easy, simple, worry-free, stress-free process to have my book edited by Beacon Point.

Zuleyka Betancourt
Self-help book

Katie managed to complete her job way before the deadline. She’s a very talented writer. I will definitely hire her again!

Marzy
personal statement

I was very nervous about sharing my first attempt at professional writing with anyone, let alone an editor. Like most authors, I had self-edited and utilized an editing-application to help minimize errors. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Katie, but I envisioned shamefully receiving my edited draft back from her, covered with red-pen “corrections,” just like in middle school. When my first edited draft was returned, however, I was amazed. Katie caught errors that the editing application hadn’t, offered suggestions for re-wording sentences (I tend to write in the passive voice) to enhance the clarity of the message, and suggested moving chapters, and relocating paragraphs, (or to delete them entirely because of redundancy.) She took what I wrote and simply made it better, without detracting from my personal voice or writing style.

We had a slight misunderstanding in the beginning, regarding the number of rounds of edits. Once it was discovered we laughed it off, and got on a solid track, communicating easily and frequently.

I found her directness to be refreshing. She doesn’t waste time coddling your ego or telling you what you’d like to hear. She tells it “like it is,” yet she does this in a respectful, affirming, and kind manner. Katie understands that writing a book is hard work. She meets the writer right where they are, then gently challenges them while concurrently strengthening their writing skills. I highly recommend Katie Chambers.

Diane Metcalf
how-to book

I greatly enjoyed working with Katie. Not only did she make the necessary technical editing, but she did a fantastic job of rearranging blocks where needed and providing feedback from the reader’s perspective.

Jesse Beeson
general nonfiction book

I was excited about the critiques. Katie made insightful recommendations/clarifications. I hope she is available for editing in the future. The deadlines were all met.

Lois Azmy
self-help book

I really enjoyed working with Katie. She understood what I was trying to accomplish and provided the guidance I needed. If I have another book in me, maybe, someday, I hope to work with Katie again. Katie – Thank you for your support, advice, and feedback to make me look like a rockstar.

Jay Helms
self-help book

I was a joy to work with Katie on my first full book experience. I feel she really cared and connected with the goal of making my story cohesive and compelling as well as grammatically correct. Her suggestions were good and needed edits. She had a natural ability to create better flow over the whole book in the spots where I had mixed up ideas or gotten out of order. I highly recommend her for substantive and copy editing. She met every deadline and turnaround on my project of 50K words was quick. Communication via email was quick and painless. I would use her services again.

Katy Patrick
religious guidebook

Professional Memberships and Associations

                  
       

Professional Development Courses

ACES COURSES

  • Substantive Editing: Untangling the Weeds

EFA COURSES

  • Developmental (Substantive) Editing of Nonfiction
  • Developmental (Substantive) Editing of Fiction, Three-part Series: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced
  • Copyediting Fiction
  • Copyediting Intermediate
  • Introduction to Children’s Literature
  • Book Mapping for Developmental Editors
  • Line Editing for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

COPYEDITING.COM WEBINARS

  • Copyediting Fiction
  • Editing for the Web

MISCELLANEOUS COURSES

  • Fiction Copyediting and Line Editing (Jennifer Lawler)
  • Using Sentence-Level Clues to Diagnose Developmental Issues in Fiction (Jennifer Lawler)

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