Editing Services

The Kelly Rae Roberts Collection

CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW EDITING PROJECTS

The children’s publishing industry has become increasingly more competitive, which is why having an outsider’s professional perspective can sometimes be invaluable: it can help you strengthen your story and provide you with a competitive edge. As a freelance editor, I will offer objective feedback and suggestions on your plot, characterization, concept, grammar/spelling, and structure. Note that while I do and will point out what’s working well, I also don’t shy away from telling you what needs work. I know it can be terrifying to entrust a stranger with your words, but I promise you that after we’ve gone through your manuscript, not only will it be stronger, but you will also grow as a writer. My goal is to give you the tools you need to revise with confidence.

For detailed information on my services, see SERVICES below.

I’m an editor by nature and by trade. I’ve been teaching and evaluating writing for over nineteen years. I’m a former Associate Professor of English–and current adjunct professor–at Broward College, where I teach composition and creative writing courses; I’m an instructor at UCLA Writers Extension, where I teach Picture Book writing; and I’ve served as a mentor through PitchWars and Las Musas, helping writers get their manuscripts ready for agents. I received my BA and MA degrees in English from Florida International University and a Certificate in Fiction from UCLA, where I focused on children’s fiction.

Aside from teaching and mentoring, I’m the award-winning author the children’s books Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! (Albert Whitman, 2020),  Isabel and Her Colores Go to School (Sleeping Bear Press, 2021), and The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía, with three more books coming in 2024: Our World: Colombia, Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas, and Grow Up, Luchy Zapata.

In addition to my education, work experience, and writing career, I’ve had the pleasure of learning from and being inspired by some of the best in the industry, including PiBoIdMo/Storystorm authors, agents, and editors; SCWBI FL conference faculty throughout the years; and my own PB and MG/YA critique partners, who are both published and pre-published. I’m a firm believer in never remaining stagnant and I make it a point to attend conferences and workshops every year, as well as staying informed about the state of publishing. This is what allows me to stay on top of my craft and the market, allowing me to offer you the best possible service.

SERVICES — Picture Books

Query Only (for PB, MG, or YA)

I love queries and will read your query with care, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and hook. I will also do some light line edits, looking at sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Picture Book Critique—Content Edits Only 

This option is best for those who want to focus on plot, characterization, and structure as opposed to sentence-level errors. I will read your picture book * with care, looking at big picture items like voice, point of view, plot, structure, characters, and tension. While I will not correct grammar, spelling, diction and syntax, I will let you know if there are glaring errors that need your attention.

Your feedback will be in the form of an editorial letter, usually 1-2 pages long, and light in-line edits using MS Word Track Changes.

Picture Book Critique—Complete Edits 

This is perfect for those who wish to have both broad stroke and line edits. I will read your picture book* with care, looking at big picture items like voice, point of view, plot, structure, characters, and tension. I will also do line edits—which will look at redundancies, repetition, use of dialogue tags, etc.—along with some light proofreading for grammar, spelling, diction, and syntax. I will also address, if necessary, the formatting of the manuscript.

Your feedback will be in the form of an editorial letter, usually 1-2 pages long, and thorough in-line comments using MS Word Track Changes.

Picture Book Critique—The Overachiever Package

With this three-phase option, you will receive three distinct reads plus a query critique. First, I will read your picture book* with care, focusing on big picture items like plot, characterization, structure, voice, and tension. In this first phase, I will do some light in-text edits using MS Word Track Changes and offer the bulk of my feedback in an editorial letter, usually 1-2 pages long.

Once you’ve received and implemented the changes, I’ll re-read your manuscript, offering again a critical eye and objective feedback. In this second phase, I will do deeper in-text edits using MS Word Track Changes, focusing specifically on sentence-level edits and big-picture items that remain. In addition to the in-text edits, you will receive a second editorial letter, usually shorter than the first phase.

After you’ve finished revising your manuscript, we move to phase three, where you resend your manuscript along with your query letter. I will use MS Word Track Changes to do some light proofreading and check manuscript format, and I will offer comprehensive, objective feedback on your query letter, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and hook in addition to sentence structure, grammar/spelling, and punctuation.

*PB rates are for picture books 1,000 words or less. For longer works, please contact me for pricing.

SERVICES — MG/YA Novels

NOTE: Not taking MG/YA clients at this time.

My rate for novel-length manuscripts starts at $0.10/word for proofreading and $0.25/word for developmental (big-picture / content) edits. I have limited slots for these.

PAYMENT

I only accept payment via PayPal at this time. I request 50% of the estimate upon signing of contract, and the balance once I finish, before I send the notes. However, please don’t send your fee until I accept your project. This will avoid any unnecessary refund fees.

REQUESTING A FREE ESTIMATE

If you’re interested in purchasing a service, your first step is to send me an inquiry. Paste the following in the body of an email:

  1. your name,
  2. requested service (see above)
  3. A brief (1 paragraph max) summary, including manuscript title and word count,
  4. Any relevant information regarding the status and history of this project, and
  5. The first page (if PB) or first 10 pages (if MG/YA) of the manuscript, so I can assess compatibility

DO NOT send me your manuscript at this point.

Once I receive your request, I will email you with my availability and turnaround time.

SUBMISSIONS

If we both agree to the timeframe, you will

  1. send me the initial 50% of estimate via PayPal (I will send you specific instructions at this time, including PayPal email), and
  2. email me your manuscript as a *.doc or *.docx attachment. Manuscript should be double spaced and formatted according to industry standards. If you don’t know what these are, click here. Please put the following in the subject of the email: MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE/ Your Name.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, don’t hesitate to contact me.

I’m looking forward to working with you to make your manuscript shine! While I cannot guarantee acceptance, this process will ensure you have a strong manuscript that will rise above the others.