I love making books, stories, and poems. When I’m not writing, I offer editorial services to authors of both poetry and fiction. My goal is to help writers, especially those early in their experience, make their novel, story, or poetry better. I will work with you to provide a sample edit and custom quote. If you are unsure what type of editing you need, simply contact me.
Kevin has been a great help with my series, giving me specifics on what is wrong and suggestions of how to fix it. Honest and direct.
Jay Perin
Novel Editorial
Since 2019, I’ve been helping authors through Developmental/Structural editing, critiques, and Beta Reading. I also copyedit novelettes and short stories. I provide feedback in the manuscript directly and through a detailed editorial letter.
Developmental/Structural editing:
This is big-picture level editing. I look for missing or deficient elements in a novel: characterization, plot, pacing, structure, POV, world-building, specific genre elements, and a high-level examination of prose. I work through questions of authorial choice and offer a view of what readers will feel throughout the book.
Novel Critiques:
A Novel Critique is less in-depth than a Developmental edit but is also more focused. Like a Developmental Edit, a Critique looks at the entire novel, but often involves focusing on specific elements, such as characterization or pacing.
Novel Beta Reading:
A Novel Beta Read can happen at any stage of a novel’s creation. It looks for significant gaps or problems and often deals with an author’s specific questions. It is not uncommon for authors to request a Beta Read to help when they are stuck in a manuscript.
Novelette & Short Story Copyediting or Proofreading:
For novelettes (under 20,000 words) and short stories (under 7,000 words) I offer copyediting focused on spelling, grammar, sentence, and paragraph structure, and overall prose. This is the final step before submitting or sending to a proofreader. I can also proofread your story or novelette.
I am a Poynter ACES Certified Editor
Poetry Editorial
I provide two areas of poetry editing. I can give a critical, close reading of a selection of poems, helping the poet bring forward their intentions on the page without imposing my own choices. This is a collaborative effort based on asking questions regarding the poet’s choices. I cover aspects such as line-breaks, word choice, meaning, voice, diction, and metaphor.
I also can assist with assembling a manuscript. Finding the best sequence for poems in a collection is not as straightforward as it might seem. Building theme and resonance through locating poems within a book requires multiple close readings and deliberate choices.
For both efforts, I also offer reference resources on deepening poetry craft, reading selections, and guidance on the submission process.
Kevin provided astute commentary and told me where the story worked and where it did not. He was candid, insightful and responsive all through our interactions. I sincerely recommend him to any author wanting to take their work to the next level.
Ita Ekhaletruo
Kevin J. Fellows 