Editing for Nonfiction 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 work, so while I will be honest, I strive to encourage you along the way, acting as a beacon guiding your editing journey.

And since words have the ability to transform lives, you too are a beacon, sharing your message with the world. I want to help ensure that nothing stands in the way of that message by reducing errors and strengthening your content.

As an additional service to you, I will 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 substantive (developmental) editing.

  • Self-Help/How-To Books**

  • General Informational Books (excluding highly scientific texts)

  • Religious Guide Books
  • Memoirs and Biographies

**I specialize in self-help and how-to books. Having studied best practices for that genre, I know the common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and I can offer specific feedback on how to best appeal to your audience.

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

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.

Rates and Services

My single service and combined package rates include two and a half passes. If you opt for each service separately, then it will be three and a half passes.

Rates depend on the depth of editing needed. After I complete a free sample (1,000 words or less), I will determine your rate.

COPYEDITING

  • Rate: $0.018–$0.028 per word

  • Deals with word- and sentence-level issues. My copyediting service includes stylistic editing, what some call line editing.
  • Correct mechanical issues: spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
  • Correct all errors and infelicities in grammar, syntax, and usage
  • Elevate word choice and sentence structure, according to best writing practices
    • rewriting awkward-sounding sentences, querying sentences with an unclear meaning, varying sentence structure, suggesting more powerful word choice, etc.
  • Check that endnotes and footnotes are correct and consistent
  • Conduct light fact-checking, names, places, dates (Complete fact-checking is the responsibility of the author.)
  • Create style sheet to ensure consistency

SUBSTANTIVE EDITING

  • Rate: $0.025–$0.043 per word
  • Deals with big-picture issues. Some refer to this as developmental editing.

  • Improve the organizational structure
    • rearranging sentences, paragraphs, and/or chapter order
    • adding additional headings and subheads to aid the reader
    • adding transitions between sentences and paragraphs

  • Improve the content
    • deleting repetitive material
    • adding or querying content to ensure fully explained ideas
    • ensuring content meets your readers' needs

  • Ensure it meets genre conventions and has a unique selling point

COPYEDITING & SUBSTANTIVE EDITING COMBINED

  • Rate: $0.032–$0.055 per word

  • This combines copyediting and substantive editing 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 separately.

  • 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: 190 nonfiction books, 66 self-help, 39 how-to books, 28 business books, 4 general informational books, 24 religious guide books, 27 memoirs, and 2 creative nonfiction.

Click on any cover to see the book’s Amazon page.

  • All
  • Self-Help Books
  • Religious Guide Books
  • Memoirs
  • Business Books
  • How-To Books

Not Published Yet

Professional Memberships and Associations

                  
       
*Note: If you quote, paraphrase, or use information from other sources, you will need citations.

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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