So you've written a story? Fabulous!
Do you know what to do next to get it ready for readers?

BFF Editing offers kind, professional editing services and personal, detailed beta feedback
to help you polish and refine your message
to more effectively entertain, edify, or inspire your readers.
​“Kate did a very thorough job proofing my manuscript. ​The book even made it to the finals of the RONE Awards! I highly recommend her.”

-Lexi Post, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

Because every story and author is unique, BFF Editing offers tailored services to meet a variety of editorial needs and budgeting realities:

  • Beta reading and developmental feedback - 
personal and professional feedback for big picture issues such as plot holes, pacing, inconsistencies, and character arcs

  • Line and copyediting - 
checking for redundancies, inconsistencies, and passive construction; ferreting out issues of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, style, tone, etc.

  • Copy cleanup and Final polishing - 
eagle-eyed scrutiny of your manuscript to detect any overlooked issues

This careful and conscientious work of shoring up story foundations, clarifying language, maintaining consistency, and reducing distractions makes a difference to readers.
(If you write stories of hope, community, romance, humor, kindness, etc. check out my  discounts!)
“I loved how personable Kate was during our chats and emails, making it feel like I was talking to a good friend, and she was always open to explaining her suggestions if I didn’t understand something. ... I felt like Kate wanted what was best for my story and really put her heart into helping in any way she could.”

- Michelle A. Marie, Author ​

Hello! I'm Kate Schieber (she/her),
lover of stories and wrangler of words.

  • As my "friendly" business name implies, I celebrate the accomplishments of my author friends and encourage them, honestly and collaboratively, to refine their work. I ask lots of questions to ensure I understand their vision, and I am always happy to explain my suggestions or brainstorm as we work together to clarify a story's message so that it will more effectively engage their audience.

  • Authors benefit from my decades of living and reading experience, my acquired editing skills, and my expertise in the art of storytelling.

  • As a human editor in this age of AI, I guarantee that you'll be working with a person rather than a program or algorithm. I bring empathy, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence as well as my understanding of subtlety, tone, humor, nuance, and flow to any project.

  • The creativity, discipline, and courage it takes to craft and share a story is incredible. And protecting an author's creative vision, voice, and intellectual property is a high priority for me. Your words and ideas are safe in my hands. (Read my description of editor and writer roles and responsibilities in   "fingerprint-free" editing philosophy and in Inviting and Dealing with Critique.)
 
  • I also advocate for readers who expect and deserve a quality experience when they open a book. This includes not only sensible and strategic adherence to conventions but also to the use of conscious, caring language.

So, would you and I make a good team?

Not every editor is right for every project or author, and vice versa. I prefer to work with writers who are motivated to produce quality stories (regardless of genre) that uplift, inspire, or entertain. (Check out my  preferred genres, and   discounts.)

Not every story needs the same level of editing. I specialize in line and copyediting, but have some training and experience in proofreading and developmental editing as well. (See   Editing Stages if you aren't sure what I mean by "level of editing.") For the most part, editing stages should be done in a certain order, but there is often some overlap. 

A comfortable working rapport between author and editor makes collaboration easier and, frankly, more fun. Authors and editors should honestly discuss expectations, which I then spell out in a contract. But it takes time to develop a relationship of trust and respect.

You might start to learn about me by exploring my website, starting with   Testimonials from other authors who've worked with me. Go to   Meet the Editor   for more about my background, and Working with Me for a description of my process, fees, discounts, etc.

While you are here, I invite you to wander through the rest of my website. You'll find helpful hints to educate and equip you on your journey toward publication, such as publishing terminology  and the writing & editing process; plus resources to help you develop your Word Craft.
If you'd like to start a conversation about your story and its editing needs, Contact BFF Editing today!