I'm Kate (she/her) - lover of stories and wrangler of words -
and I created Book Friends Forever Editing.
and I created Book Friends Forever Editing.
The BFF Editing Philosophy, Values, and Invitation:
I firmly believe that if you have a story to tell,
you should tell it!
Someone in the world needs to hear it.
I also believe that storytelling is more fun with an audience.
And for your story to have the greatest impact on its audience,
it should be well crafted.
I am passionate about stories and the impact they can have on our lives, both in the telling and the hearing. Stories can make a powerful difference in the world!
I believe that books are magic!
(See: The NY Times article: Mirrors for my Daughter's Bookshelf, where Sara Ackerman cites education professor Rudine Sims Bishop, who developed this metaphor.)
I believe that books are magic!
- Books build bridges that span historical, cultural, and physical differences, transporting readers to places and times outside their own experiences.
- Book contain stories that 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 lenses through which we see others, inspiring us to compassion and understanding.
(See: The NY Times article: Mirrors for my Daughter's Bookshelf, where Sara Ackerman cites education professor Rudine Sims Bishop, who developed this metaphor.)
My philosophy - the role of editor:
The editor's involvement should be invisible to the reader. All decisions are the writer's. My influence as your editor may be felt but should not be seen or heard.
Edith Wharton said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it."
I think there is actually a third way. A lighthouse lens spreads and even amplifies the light of the flame.
If the writer's message is the flame and language is the lens, then my job is to make that lens/language all clean and shiny so that the writer's flame/meaning can shine forth without distortion or hindrance.
In my mind, the role of the editor is to polish that lens without leaving any fingerprints behind.
Edith Wharton said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it."
I think there is actually a third way. A lighthouse lens spreads and even amplifies the light of the flame.
If the writer's message is the flame and language is the lens, then my job is to make that lens/language all clean and shiny so that the writer's flame/meaning can shine forth without distortion or hindrance.
In my mind, the role of the editor is to polish that lens without leaving any fingerprints behind.
Humans are hardwired to appreciate and respond to stories. Through well-crafted stories, we can learn, understand, and connect with one another.
People bond over good books. "Book friends" may meet regularly over coffee or a glass of wine, or they may meet virtually. They could be any age, any gender. They could have the same or different politics, beliefs, or backgrounds. Book friendships transcend differences.
Fun, supportive communities can form under the media banner of a popular author. And to become a popular author—one that gets positive reviews—one needs to make a connection with readers' hearts and minds. If the message is confusing or inconsistent, the text filled with typos, the characters flat, or the plot riddled with holes, those mental and emotional connections may not be made.
My goal as a book friend editor is to help writers create stories that engage readers.
People bond over good books. "Book friends" may meet regularly over coffee or a glass of wine, or they may meet virtually. They could be any age, any gender. They could have the same or different politics, beliefs, or backgrounds. Book friendships transcend differences.
Fun, supportive communities can form under the media banner of a popular author. And to become a popular author—one that gets positive reviews—one needs to make a connection with readers' hearts and minds. If the message is confusing or inconsistent, the text filled with typos, the characters flat, or the plot riddled with holes, those mental and emotional connections may not be made.
My goal as a book friend editor is to help writers create stories that engage readers.
Respect for your readers is important. You want to provide them with your best work and not frustrate them or leave them feeling that their time has been wasted. This means working with beta readers, critique groups, and publishing professionals to polish your story before publishing.
I personally appreciate storytelling that makes me feel things and that expands my understanding. I am committed to offering honest, supportive, and creative feedback to my author friends, pointing out where the message has touched me or where it could be clearer or more engaging.
Whether your goal is to entertain or inspire, successfully crafting a book that resonates with readers requires an honest look at what you've written.
I personally appreciate storytelling that makes me feel things and that expands my understanding. I am committed to offering honest, supportive, and creative feedback to my author friends, pointing out where the message has touched me or where it could be clearer or more engaging.
Whether your goal is to entertain or inspire, successfully crafting a book that resonates with readers requires an honest look at what you've written.
What will it take to reach your goal of being published?
Whether you publish independently or traditionally, your book needs to stand out and make a positive impression. You have a better chance of doing that if you aren't working alone.
Making your publishing dream come true requires considerable sacrifice and investment. You've already experienced the personal cost in loss of sleep, leisure, etc. and have hopefully considered the financial cost of hiring professionals. And don't forget, when creating your budget, expectations, and publishing plan, to factor in time. Most new writers vastly underestimate how long it takes to read, absorb, analyze, critique, make suggestions, communicate reasoning, etc.
It's never too soon to start reaching out to editors, so I'm glad you are here. We might make a great team!
Making your publishing dream come true requires considerable sacrifice and investment. You've already experienced the personal cost in loss of sleep, leisure, etc. and have hopefully considered the financial cost of hiring professionals. And don't forget, when creating your budget, expectations, and publishing plan, to factor in time. Most new writers vastly underestimate how long it takes to read, absorb, analyze, critique, make suggestions, communicate reasoning, etc.
It's never too soon to start reaching out to editors, so I'm glad you are here. We might make a great team!
What kind of editing help do you need to make your dream a reality?
I do my best to customize the editing experience for my writer friends.
You need an editor who will work with you to balance out the areas in which you need the most help. Please be honest with yourself and your editor about your situation. The better I understand your circumstances, experiences, and expectations, your publishing goals, writing strengths, and editing weaknesses, the better I can help you.
Professional editing and proofreading services are not cheap, but I’ve done my best to separate as well as package my services to give options that can be tailored to your needs.
And if I think you need help beyond the scope of my services or expertise, I’ll let you know and will happily refer you to someone who is better suited.
You need an editor who will work with you to balance out the areas in which you need the most help. Please be honest with yourself and your editor about your situation. The better I understand your circumstances, experiences, and expectations, your publishing goals, writing strengths, and editing weaknesses, the better I can help you.
Professional editing and proofreading services are not cheap, but I’ve done my best to separate as well as package my services to give options that can be tailored to your needs.
And if I think you need help beyond the scope of my services or expertise, I’ll let you know and will happily refer you to someone who is better suited.
BFF Editing Competence:
- decades of reading from an array of genres
- BA (in English literature) and MTS degrees
- 6+ years of editing experience and training
- research skills
- active membership in professional editing associations and groups
- consumption of multiple newsletters, webinars, reference books, and other resources
- participant in forums and workshops for professional editors and writers
BFF Editing Core Values:
- honesty
- sincerity and respect
- friendly support and encouragement
- conscientious striving for excellence
BFF Editing Goals:
- to help you polish your message while staying true to your vision and voice
- to help you clarify your story to better inspire, inform, or entertain
BFF Editing Invitation:
Your story deserves a proper launch into the world.
Your readers deserve a rich experience, free from distracting editing issues. We want them to appreciate the wonderful tale you have to tell.
If you'd like to collaborate with a friendly, supportive editor who'll work conscientiously to help you refine and articulate your message to better resonate with readers, fill out my contact form.
Your readers deserve a rich experience, free from distracting editing issues. We want them to appreciate the wonderful tale you have to tell.
If you'd like to collaborate with a friendly, supportive editor who'll work conscientiously to help you refine and articulate your message to better resonate with readers, fill out my contact form.
“Kate was incredibly thorough and her editing skills are impeccable, but she also handles an author's ego with humor and grace. I learned to trust her instincts. She is skilled, insightful, intuitive, and has a keen sense of what makes a book engaging. I feel fortunate as an author to have her by my side.”
- Scott Gibson, M.D. - aspiring author
Everyone has a story.
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:
My parents were my first teachers - always modeling and insisting on proper grammar, and if we wanted to know how to spell something or the answer to some question, they'd tell us to "look it up." I'm curious by nature and like to learn things, so I've learned how 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 (with honors, woo hoo!) is in English Literature, and I later earned a master’s degree 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 (with honors, woo hoo!) is in English Literature, and I later earned a master’s degree in Theological Studies.
Eye/Ear:
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), a number of years ago, I began to explore the world of e-books. So convenient! And while I purchase special books in audio and digital formats, we are fortunate that our town has an extensive library of both, or I'd be broke!
And while I have an extensive personal and professional library of physical books (just ask my husband), a number of years ago, I began to explore the world of e-books. So convenient! And while I purchase special books in audio and digital formats, we are fortunate that our town has an extensive library of both, or I'd be broke!
Experience:
Over the years (as I was raising my kids, supporting my husband, taking care of the house and garden, maintaining relationships and communication with friends and family, and volunteering at the school and church) 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.
The editors in various groups I've joined and classes I've taken 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, 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.
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 Editorial Freelancers Association, Editorial Arts Academy, Writing Mastery Academy, Institute of Professional Editors, CMOS Online, ProWritingAid, Writing Brave 2024, Women in Publishing Summit, 2024, masterclasses and webinars on writing memoir, word craft, and writing disciplines, as well as numerous books on writing and editing. (Check out the Website Resources page for more!)
The editors in various groups I've joined and classes I've taken 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, 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.
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 Editorial Freelancers Association, Editorial Arts Academy, Writing Mastery Academy, Institute of Professional Editors, CMOS Online, ProWritingAid, Writing Brave 2024, Women in Publishing Summit, 2024, masterclasses and webinars on writing memoir, word craft, and writing disciplines, as well as numerous books on writing and editing. (Check out the Website Resources page for more!)
As a reader, I gravitate toward certain genres, so these are what I mostly 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, structure, etc. in order to ensure you've avoided cliches while also crafting a strong 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 needs to know the appropriate conventions of language mechanics (punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.) for whatever style guide you follow. I am most familiar with Chicago Manual of Style but have also worked with the New Oxford Style Manual.
Even if you’ve written a book in another genre (see my Miscellany and Add-On Services section) or one that defies classification—exciting!—please feel free to contact me anyway.
If your story needs genre-specific or developmental work beyond my scope, I’ll be honest and tell you so then offer to refer you to one of my peers. Similarly, if your story needs a sensitivity reader, I’m happy to refer you.
- Fiction: historical, contemporary, speculative, and women's literature
- Romance: contemporary, historical, humorous, mature, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi
- Retelling, adaptations, and modernization of fairy tales, legends, and classics
- Memoir
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, structure, etc. in order to ensure you've avoided cliches while also crafting a strong 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 needs to know the appropriate conventions of language mechanics (punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.) for whatever style guide you follow. I am most familiar with Chicago Manual of Style but have also worked with the New Oxford Style Manual.
Even if you’ve written a book in another genre (see my Miscellany and Add-On Services section) or one that defies classification—exciting!—please feel free to contact me anyway.
If your story needs genre-specific or developmental work beyond my scope, I’ll be honest and tell you so then offer to refer you to one of my peers. Similarly, if your story needs a sensitivity reader, I’m happy to refer you.
Entrepreneur:
As you probably know, it's not just about telling a great story!
Whether traditionally or self-published, writers work hard and make sacrifices. You have to research trends, develop a brand and a platform, become business and tech savvy, negotiate with bloggers and distribution companies, build websites, cultivate and maintain a social media presence/following, market your 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 you want to publish, you must hire your 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 educate ourselves in the ways of this ever-changing publishing industry. And running a business is challenging. I have to create contracts and keep track of invoices, pay for professional memberships, subscriptions, and software, as well as continuing education courses and workshops, electricity, internet, taxes, insurance, etc.
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 job 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 work hard and make sacrifices. You have to research trends, develop a brand and a platform, become business and tech savvy, negotiate with bloggers and distribution companies, build websites, cultivate and maintain a social media presence/following, market your 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 you want to publish, you must hire your 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 educate ourselves in the ways of this ever-changing publishing industry. And running a business is challenging. I have to create contracts and keep track of invoices, pay for professional memberships, subscriptions, and software, as well as continuing education courses and workshops, electricity, internet, taxes, insurance, etc.
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 job 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, and enrich.
I'd love to chat with you about your writing journey.
If you have questions
or think we might make a good team ...
“Kate exceeded my expectations while helping me with my first historical novel. She has a gift for explaining her edits clearly and succinctly with tact and sensitivity. I found her well-organized, and she communicates promptly.”
- S.D. Speer, aspiring author
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