Welcome storyteller!
I'm Kate Schieber, and I created Book Friends Fiction Editing in 2018.
The BFF Editing Invitation
I am passionate about stories and the powerful impact they can have on our lives and the world, both in the telling and the hearing.
Would you and I work well together to make your story shine? Well, let me tell you a bit about myself...
Would you and I work well together to make your story shine? Well, let me tell you a bit about myself...
I believe that books/stories are magic!
- Books build bridges that span historical, cultural, and physical differences, transporting readers to places and times and into the footsteps of people outside their own experience.
- Books entertain, inspire, help, and sustain readers through tough times.
- Stories act as mirrors, reflecting the experiences of readers so that they feel seen.
- Stories act as windows through which we see others, inspiring us to compassion and understanding.
My editing philosophy
An editor's involvement may be felt, but it should not be seen or heard.
(This is one reason why I prefer to not be officially listed as the editor of a published piece. I am just a collaborator, working behind the scenes. Therefore, I take neither credit nor responsibility for the final outcome, as I am not the creator or publisher and have no control.)
Imagine the collaboration between writer and editor to be like a lighthouse. The lens of a lighthouse amplifies the light of the flame, spreading it far and wide. If a writer's message is the flame, my job is to make the mirror and lens all clean and shiny so that the writer's meaning can shine forth without distortion or hindrance.
My goal as editor is to polish that lens without leaving any of my own fingerprints behind. I offer feedback in the form of reader impact, editorial suggestions, and recommendations. I will never tell you what to do with YOUR story.
(This is one reason why I prefer to not be officially listed as the editor of a published piece. I am just a collaborator, working behind the scenes. Therefore, I take neither credit nor responsibility for the final outcome, as I am not the creator or publisher and have no control.)
Imagine the collaboration between writer and editor to be like a lighthouse. The lens of a lighthouse amplifies the light of the flame, spreading it far and wide. If a writer's message is the flame, my job is to make the mirror and lens all clean and shiny so that the writer's meaning can shine forth without distortion or hindrance.
My goal as editor is to polish that lens without leaving any of my own fingerprints behind. I offer feedback in the form of reader impact, editorial suggestions, and recommendations. I will never tell you what to do with YOUR story.
Speaking of spreading the light...
I personally appreciate storytelling that makes me feel things and that expands my understanding of my world and fellow human beings. I'm also quite empathetic and gravitate toward stories that uplift with humor or hope. When I'm editing, I dive deep into a manuscript and live with the story for weeks or months, so I prefer not to go too dark.
As a matter of fact, if your writing is geared toward sharing comfort or hope,
whether through humor or healing, romance or reconciliation, community or kindness,
you might check out my Mates' Rates Discounts.
whether through humor or healing, romance or reconciliation, community or kindness,
you might check out my Mates' Rates Discounts.
Genre Preferences
As a reader, I gravitate toward certain genres, topics, or tones (*hope, humor, community, romance, etc.) so these are mostly what I edit.
Especially for developmental editing and beta reading, it's smart to hire an editor who knows, reads, and enjoys the genre of your story. Your editor must understand the conventions, tropes, rhythms, and structure of a genre in order to help you avoid cliches while crafting a story that readers of that genre will expect and appreciate. Even if your story is a mashup of genres, this familiarity is important.
When it comes to copy editing and polishing, however, your editor should know the appropriate expectations and conventions of language mechanics (punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.) for whatever style guide you follow. I am most familiar with editing fiction using the Chicago Manual of Style but have also worked with the New Oxford Style Manual.
If I think you need help beyond the scope of my expertise or outside my comfort zone, I’ll let you know (and may even be able to refer you to someone who is better suited).
- Romance: historical, contemporary, queer, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi
- Fiction: historical, contemporary, speculative, young or new adult, and women's literature
- Retelling and adaptation of classics, fairy tales, myths, and legends
Especially for developmental editing and beta reading, it's smart to hire an editor who knows, reads, and enjoys the genre of your story. Your editor must understand the conventions, tropes, rhythms, and structure of a genre in order to help you avoid cliches while crafting a story that readers of that genre will expect and appreciate. Even if your story is a mashup of genres, this familiarity is important.
When it comes to copy editing and polishing, however, your editor should know the appropriate expectations and conventions of language mechanics (punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.) for whatever style guide you follow. I am most familiar with editing fiction using the Chicago Manual of Style but have also worked with the New Oxford Style Manual.
If I think you need help beyond the scope of my expertise or outside my comfort zone, I’ll let you know (and may even be able to refer you to someone who is better suited).
How can I help make your dream a reality?
Whether your goal is to entertain or inspire ... to successfully craft a book that resonates with readers requires an honest look at what you've written, and I do my best to customize each editing service to meet the needs of my writer friends and their work.
So share with me the areas in which you need the most help. The better I understand your circumstances, experiences, and expectations, your publishing goals, writing strengths, and editing weaknesses, the better I can help.
Though professional editing and proofreading services are not cheap, I’ve done my best to separate as well as package my services to give options that can be tailored to your particular needs.
So share with me the areas in which you need the most help. The better I understand your circumstances, experiences, and expectations, your publishing goals, writing strengths, and editing weaknesses, the better I can help.
Though professional editing and proofreading services are not cheap, I’ve done my best to separate as well as package my services to give options that can be tailored to your particular needs.
BFF Editing Competence:
- decades of reading from an array of genres
- BA (English literature) and MTS (theological studies) degrees
- seven years of editing experience and training
- innate curiosity and honed research skills
- active membership in professional editing associations and groups
- consumption of industry newsletters, webinars, reference books, and other resources
- participant in forums, workshops, and groups for professional editors and writers
(For more details, see My Story below.)
BFF Editing Core Values:
- honesty
- sincerity and respect
- friendly support and encouragement
- conscientious striving for excellence
BFF Editing Commitment:
Your story deserves a proper launch into the world.
Your readers deserve a quality experience.
- So I am committed to helping you clarify and polish your message while staying true to your vision and voice.
Your readers deserve a quality experience.
- So I am committed to helping you eliminate distractions so that they can fully appreciate the wonderful tale you have to tell.
If you'd like to collaborate with a friendly, supportive editor who'll work diligently to help you refine and articulate your message so that it resonates and communicates better with readers,
fill out my Contact Form to start the conversation.
fill out my Contact Form to start the conversation.
I love hearing other people's stories and thought someone might be curious to know more about me and how BFF Editing came to be.
Education:
I've always been curious, and my parents were my first teachers—always modeling and insisting on proper grammar. If we wanted to know how to spell something or had a question, they'd tell us to "look it up." So I've learned to question and research until I find answers.
We always had books around the house and were regulars at the public library. My folks were also supportive, or at least indulgent, of my love of reading and even of my chosen major. My bachelor’s degree is in English Literature, and my master’s degree is in Theological Studies.
We always had books around the house and were regulars at the public library. My folks were also supportive, or at least indulgent, of my love of reading and even of my chosen major. My bachelor’s degree is in English Literature, and my master’s degree is in Theological Studies.
Eye/Ear/Experience:
Besides being a voracious reader my whole life, over the years, I've discovered the joy and freedom of audio books. I tell you what, nothing makes time fly while cleaning the bathroom or weeding the garden like listening to a good story. ;)
And while I have an extensive personal and professional library of physical books (just ask my husband), I am also a fan of e-books. So convenient! I purchase special books in audio and digital formats, but I'm fortunate that our town has an extensive library of both or else I'd be broke!
Over the years, I came to do more volunteer beta reading, proofreading, and editing of e-books. The authors of these stories encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming a fiction editor.
I am a native US English speaker who's read a lot of British English books and currently resides in New Zealand. And I would love to work more with my fellow Kiwis! (If this is you, please contact me and we'll discuss Mates' Rates!)
So a particular knack I have—which might help authors who are not native US English speakers but who are writing books with US characters or that are set in the US—is for spotting words and phrases that Americans wouldn't typically use.
And while I have an extensive personal and professional library of physical books (just ask my husband), I am also a fan of e-books. So convenient! I purchase special books in audio and digital formats, but I'm fortunate that our town has an extensive library of both or else I'd be broke!
Over the years, I came to do more volunteer beta reading, proofreading, and editing of e-books. The authors of these stories encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming a fiction editor.
I am a native US English speaker who's read a lot of British English books and currently resides in New Zealand. And I would love to work more with my fellow Kiwis! (If this is you, please contact me and we'll discuss Mates' Rates!)
So a particular knack I have—which might help authors who are not native US English speakers but who are writing books with US characters or that are set in the US—is for spotting words and phrases that Americans wouldn't typically use.
Professional Training:
As a freelance editor since 2018, I have helped dozens of authors. Along the way, I've also engaged in continuing education, both self-guided and professional through the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association), Editorial Arts Academy, Writing Mastery Academy, IPEd (Institute of Professional Editors), CMOS Online, ProWritingAid, Writing Brave 2024, Women in Publishing Summit 2024, WorldShift Summit 2025, masterclasses and webinars on writing memoir, word craft, and writing disciplines, as well as numerous books on writing and editing. (Check out the Online Resources for more!)
The publishing professionals in these courses and in the many editor groups to which I belong have also been super helpful and encouraging. I am grateful to these individuals and communities which generously share their wisdom, knowledge, resources, and experience. Indeed, the authors I've worked with have also taught me many things. On the whole, I've found the indie publishing industry to be amazingly supportive and encouraging.
The publishing professionals in these courses and in the many editor groups to which I belong have also been super helpful and encouraging. I am grateful to these individuals and communities which generously share their wisdom, knowledge, resources, and experience. Indeed, the authors I've worked with have also taught me many things. On the whole, I've found the indie publishing industry to be amazingly supportive and encouraging.
Entrepreneur:
As you probably know, it's not just about telling a great story!
Whether traditionally or self-published, writers need to research trends and comparable titles ("comps"), develop a brand and a platform, become business and tech savvy, collaborate with pod castors, bloggers, and distribution companies, build websites, cultivate and maintain a social media presence/following, market their books, network with other industry professionals, manage newsletter lists, develop Beta and ARC reader groups, etc. Added to all this, to varying degrees depending on how a writer decides to publish, they must hire their own editors, formatters, proofreaders, cover artists, etc.
(I hope I didn't scare you away, but this is the modern reality.)
Similarly, freelance editors have to not only continue to learn our craft but also create a brand, network, market, and continually educate ourselves in the ways of this ever-changing industry. And running a business is challenging. I have to create contracts and keep track of invoices, network and market myself, continue to learn through courses, workshops, etc., and pay for professional memberships, subscriptions, software, electricity, internet, taxes, and insurance.
And while part (let's face it, most) of me wishes I could offer my services for free and just “wallow in the words” as my friend used to say, another part of me relishes the professional challenge of holding myself to a level of excellence that deserves respect and fair compensation.
Becoming a published author is a LOT of work and responsibility, and my goal is to make at least the editing process as stress free and rewarding as possible. Most hard things are easier or more fun with a friend by your side!
Whether traditionally or self-published, writers need to research trends and comparable titles ("comps"), develop a brand and a platform, become business and tech savvy, collaborate with pod castors, bloggers, and distribution companies, build websites, cultivate and maintain a social media presence/following, market their books, network with other industry professionals, manage newsletter lists, develop Beta and ARC reader groups, etc. Added to all this, to varying degrees depending on how a writer decides to publish, they must hire their own editors, formatters, proofreaders, cover artists, etc.
(I hope I didn't scare you away, but this is the modern reality.)
Similarly, freelance editors have to not only continue to learn our craft but also create a brand, network, market, and continually educate ourselves in the ways of this ever-changing industry. And running a business is challenging. I have to create contracts and keep track of invoices, network and market myself, continue to learn through courses, workshops, etc., and pay for professional memberships, subscriptions, software, electricity, internet, taxes, and insurance.
And while part (let's face it, most) of me wishes I could offer my services for free and just “wallow in the words” as my friend used to say, another part of me relishes the professional challenge of holding myself to a level of excellence that deserves respect and fair compensation.
Becoming a published author is a LOT of work and responsibility, and my goal is to make at least the editing process as stress free and rewarding as possible. Most hard things are easier or more fun with a friend by your side!
BFF Editing is dedicated to helping writers refine their stories to better
entertain, edify, or inspire readers.
I'd love to chat with your about your writing journey.
Contact BFF Editing today!
entertain, edify, or inspire readers.
I'd love to chat with your about your writing journey.
Contact BFF Editing today!
If you have difficulty accessing any part of this website, please contact us at: [email protected], and we will assist you.
Content Copyright © 2025, Kathryn Schieber,
BFF (Book Friends Forever) Editing. All rights reserved.
Logo created by Benjamin Schieber
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BFF (Book Friends Forever) Editing. All rights reserved.
Logo created by Benjamin Schieber
Proudly powered by Weebly