Big Picture Editing Services

Do you have a novel, memoir, or other creative writing project that is in serious need of some TLC?

Are you ready for more feedback than your best friend saying “I loved it!”?

Do you wish you had a book professional on your team who could tell you whether your characters are vibrant on the page, find your plot holes, discuss your thematic development, and more?

I’m a trained creative writing professional, award-winning author, and experienced developmental editor, and I’d love to work with you on your project!

“I came away from Katherine’s edit with a newfound sense of confidence in my book’s worth, and inspired with real tangible ideas to make my novel as impactful as it could possibly be. I couldn’t be happier!”
— Louise Mayberry, Author of The Rain and the Light

What is “developmental editing”?

Developmental editing focuses on big picture feedback. A developmental edit considers character development, world-building, story logic, plot holes, pacing, and generally answers the question: “Does this story work?”

As developmental editor, my goal is to help you put together a revision plan that will prepare your project for its next step, whether that is publication, querying, or sharing with your friends and family.

Usually, this comes earlier in your project than other edits—perhaps after you’ve finished a first draft, or after you’ve gotten beta reader and workshop feedback.

What is not developmental editing?

When people think of “editing,” they often imagine someone with a red pen correcting your typos, fact-checking your history, or suggesting better sentence flow. That’s copyediting or line editing, and that is not included in my editing packages.

Why hire me?

  • I’m an experienced developmental editor! With Booktrope and Pink Fish Press, I edited 10+ published books, ranging from literary fiction to fantasy to memoirs.

  • As a romance author, I’ve kept my editing skills sharp by regularly serving as beta reader to my peers.

  • I’m an award-winning author, so I understand what it takes to craft a story and receive feedback about it.

  • I majored in creative writing at Northwestern University, led writing workshops, and edited a campus literary magazine, so I am experienced at sharing feedback with my fellow writers.

What’s Included

My standard package includes:

  • A developmental edit letter with feedback on plot and story logic, character development, world-building, themes, and other “big picture” questions about your story

  • A 60-minute Zoom call to discuss my feedback and help you decide next steps for your project

If that sounds good to you, reach out via the form below and I’m happy to discuss scheduling and pricing!

Reach out about a developmental edit!

 

Get in touch about your project!


“Working with Katherine was such a joy! She took the time to truly understand my creative vision, and she worked with the single goal of enhancing it—of pinpointing exactly where that vision wasn’t coming through in the text and giving inightful ideas for improvement rather than attempting to force solutions.

She has a genius for separating the threads of a narrative, testing their individual strength and identifying where and how they could be strengthered—all while holding and honoring the broader context and ensuring the author feels safe, understood and seen.

I came away from Katherine’s edit with a newfound sense of confidence in my book’s worth, and inspired with real tangible ideas to make my novel as impactful as it could possibly be. I couldn’t be happier!”
— Louise Mayberry, Author of The Rain and the Light