ABOUT ME
Hello, I’m Katherine Kirk. I help writers to clear the errors from your prose so that your message is clear of ambiguity and your books exceed your readers' expectations.
I can help you to make your writing read as well on the page as it does in your mind by removing the stumbling blocks that trip up your readers at any level, from story to semicolons.
My friendly, personal approach gives you much more than better writing; I provide a human touch that is impossible to achieve through spell-checking software.
My goal is to be the bridge between author and reader, so that your readers can enjoy the story the way you intended them to.
I abide by the CIEP’s Code of Practice.
How I help authors
Line editing
I make the sentences on the page sound as good as they did in your head by using rhythm, cadence and flow to carry your reader along.
I get into your head and help you to make your writing sing with the unique voice that is inside you. You retain full creative control throughout the process.
I suggest tiny changes that bring out the soul of the story, make characters feel real and compelling, and avoid common stylistic missteps that take away from the reader’s enjoyment of the text.
Copyediting
Copyediting comes before typesetting (or design), and is where I’ll be catching sentence-level problems that might confuse your readers. I make changes to spelling, grammar, usage and sentence structure, directly in your document, and tracking it all the way so you have final approval.
I’ll make sure your sentences are clear and unambiguous for your readers, facts are consistent within your text, and your text is easy for readers to navigate.
I look at all the elements, from headings to illustrations and all the text between, and make sure that they’re styled consistently and meet your target reader’s expectations. I also check for logic, sensitivity, and idiomatic English usage. I look at your language usage in the context of your writing and with respect to your voice, catching things that spell-checking software misunderstands.
Proofreading
The last stage in publishing, proofreaders check documents that have already been laid out or typeset, I act as a fresh, final eye on your manuscript. I’ll check for sneaky errors that may have slipped by in earlier stages.
I’ll check that the style choices you have decided to follow, such as your publisher’s house style, your personal preferences, or the Chicago Manual of Style, have been applied consistently, so your reader can stay immersed in your writing. I’m looking for typos, upside-down pictures, widows and orphans, and any remaining spelling and grammatical errors.
Once you’ve confirmed the changes and addressed all the queries, I’ll clean up the edited file for you, saving you time and avoiding the introduction of new errors.
IMMERSION
I’ll help you navigate the storytelling issues that bug your readers, like pacing and flow.
Qualifications
I have successfully completed all three levels of the Proofreading and Copyediting courses offered by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), as well as numerous courses in proofreading, developmental editing, copy-editing, line-editing, and other editorial skills through the CIEP, the Publishing Training Centre, Editorial Freelancers Association, and the American Copy Editors Society. Achieving the level of Advanced Professional Member of the CIEP means my skills and experience have been tested, attested to and verified by a panel of my peers, and I am held to demonstrate a high level of professional competence and substantial experience.
I also hold a Bachelors of English Literature and Philosophy, and a PGCE in Teaching English.
Am I right for you?
Who I work with
- Self-published and indie authors
- Traditionally published authors
- Book packagers and publishers
- TTRPG designers and publishers
Who I don't work with
- Students
- Medical writers
- Academic journals
- Court reporters
Genres I love
Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction
I love to figure out the worldbuilding rules you’ve created, and then ensure they’ve been consistently applied so your readers can escape into that world.
Thrillers
I’ll help you build suspense while making sure that readers don’t get hung up on details like accidentally infinite bullets or red herrings that feel like plot holes.
Historical Fiction
I’ll help you to make sure your writing is consistent and appropriate to the era it’s set in, so your readers can focus on the story. I am especially interested in stories set between 1900 and 1970.
Romance
I’ll help your readers fall in love with your characters, keep steamy scenes from having too many elbows, and sweep away errors that pull your readers out of their ultimate fantasy.
Working with Katherine was a joy. Not only is she superb at her editing craft but she was supportive of my writing and respectful of where I was coming from. There is no question my book is better now after her work. She also has a great sense of humor, so even when she suggested changes, it was never a criticism as much as a friendly suggestion to improve. We laughed a lot in our emails back and forth, and I will miss our creative times together. If you need an editor or proofreader, you will not find anyone better.