Editing for Fiction Authors

General Information

I applaud all your hard work spent writing a book. I know it can be nerve-wracking to have someone else critique your manuscript, so while I will be honest, I will encourage you along the way, acting as a beacon guiding your editing journey.

And since stories have the ability to transform lives, you too are a beacon, sharing your story with the world. I make sure nothing stands in the way of that story by helping you strengthen your characters and plot and ensuring appropriate pacing. I can help you avoid author pitfalls like head-hopping and info-dumping and reduce your errors so your readers stay connected to the story.

As an additional service to you, I provide resources and guidance to help you with the steps that come after editing.

Let’s build a partnership to make your book the best it can be in the time allotted.

Genres I edit

I offer both copyediting and developmental editing.

  • Young adult fantasy, dystopian, supernatural, mystery, and thriller
  • Adult dystopian, mystery, thriller (clean content)

  • Children's picture books and chapter books
  • Middle-grade novels

  • These are my favorite genres to read, and as such, I have informally studied these genres for years. Now as an editor, I have read up and studied best practices for each of these genres.

    *I am open to projects outside these genres except historical, literary fiction, dense science fiction (I will edit light science fiction like the Cinder series), and graphic novels. I will edit romance, but only if there are no graphic sex scenes.

Resources for you

Visit my writer's resources center for articles and ebooklets focused on helping you.

My resource center offers resources in a variety of categories:

  • Working with an editor
  • Self-editing
  • Style sheets
  • Self-publishing tips
  • Fiction writing tips
  • Nonfiction writing tips
  • Grammar and punctuation help


Testimonials

Rates and Services

My rates include two and a half passes for one service (or for each service if you get both in separate rounds) and three and a half passes for my combined package. 


Rates depend on the depth of editing needed. After I complete a free sample (1,300 words or less), I will determine your rate.

COPYEDITING ONLY

  • Rate: $0.016–$0.026 per word

  • Deals with word- and sentence-level issues. My copyediting service includes stylistic editing, what some call line editing.
  • Correcting mechanical issues: spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
  • Correcting all errors and infelicities in grammar, syntax, and usage
  • Rewriting any wordy or awkward sentences according to best writing practices
  • Conducting light fact-checking, names, places, dates (Complete fact-checking is the responsibility of the author.)
  • Creating a style sheet to ensure consistency in punctuation and style preferences as well as character facts
  • Pointing out and offering suggestions to fix info dumping and head-hopping
  • Ensuring dialogue is true to the character and has a good balance of action beats when needed
  • Pointing out and offering suggestions to fix too much telling and not enough showing

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

  • Rate: $0.02–$0.04 per word
  • Deals with big-picture issues. This includes in-text edits, comments, and an editorial letter.
  • Ensuring it meets genre conventions and works for the intended audience
  • Offering suggestions to fix plot holes and pacing issues
  • Strengthening characters: making sure they are fully developed, have clear motivations and goals, and stay consistent
  • Ensuring story has a strong, compelling core conflict
  • Pointing out and offering suggestions to fix info dumping, head-hopping, and point of view inconsistences (also included in copyediting)
  • Ensuring a good balance of showing and telling (also included in copyediting)
  • Offering suggestions on how to close the narrative distance and go into a deeper POV when needed
  • Ensuring scenes are well-organized and match a clear timeline
  • Writing a multi-page editorial letter detailing strengths and weaknesses and how to fix big-picture issues

COPYEDITING & DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING PACKAGE

  • Rate: $0.03–$0.045 per word

  • This combines copyediting and developmental editing in one round at a discounted rate. I offer this to help meet authors' budget and deadline needs.

  • Note 1: While I strive for high quality, combining them is a lot to focus on at once. I do multiple passes and have learned how to appropriately prioritize to ensure a good quality. But you will get an even better quality if you pay for each service as a separate round.

  • Note 2: This does not include formatting, proofreading, or designing the cover. I will suggest colleagues to contact for those services.

Learn My Process and Style

Process and Style Page »

Meet the Editor

Meet Me Page »

Ready to discuss a possible partnership?

Just click the button below to get a quote, and let’s start writing your future.

Portfolio

Total to date: 56 fiction books, 8 Adult Fiction (1 mystery, 3 thriller, 4 dystopian), 5 Young Adult (1 fantasy, 2 dystopian, 2 supernatural), 5 Middle Grade, 6 Chapter Books, and 32 Picture Books

  • All
  • Adult Novels
  • Young Adult Novels
  • Middle-Grade and Chapter Books
  • Picture Books

Not Yet Published Titles

Professional Memberships and Associations

                  
       
*Disclaimer: I don't accept any projects with graphic sexual content or excessive expletives—some use of curse words is fine, just not if it it is excessive.

Welcome to Beacon Point Subscriptions

As a subscriber, you will always be notified when I post new content.

My Blog Subscriber Content

  • Link of the Week: Links to other editors’ and writers’ blogs on relevant topics with tips from me on the topic, one a week
  • Bite-Sized Punctuation Blog: Help on one specific punctuation rule/guideline, one a month.
  • Writing Tips Blog: Specific writing tips on a variety of topics (fiction writing, resume writing, nonfiction writing, academic essay writing, etc.), one a month.

To receive my emails, please add kmchambers@beaconpointservices.org to your address list.

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