You want your readers to stay engaged with your words, but you’re concerned they won’t keep reading. Let’s figure out together how I can help you with that!
I can look at big picture issues during a manuscript critique or a developmental edit, or I can fine tune your grammar and punctuation through copyediting.
Whatever service you choose, my goal is for you to hone your writing skills so your next work will be even more spectacular.
EXPERIENCE
I hold a BA in Creative Writing (Fiction), a Professional Certificate in Editing, an MS in Instructional Design, and I’m a graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. Along the way I went to culinary school for an AS in Culinary Arts. Now I’m uniquely qualified to copyedit cookbooks (some of my favorite projects)!
I’m a proud member of the Bay Area Editors’ Forum, the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Northwest Editors Guild, and ACES: The Society for Editing. (Yes, one of those association names calls for an apostrophe and the other doesn’t. This is the type of attention to detail you can expect from me!) I participate regularly in professional development classes through these leading editing organizations to remain current on industry trends and keep my skills up to date.
SERVICES
Light Copyediting
- Style sheet
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Typographical errors
- Consistency
Medium Copyediting
Includes Light Copyediting services, plus:
- Sentence structure
- Clarity
- Tense
- Tone
- Dialogue
- Word choice
- Point of view
Heavy Copyediting
Includes Light and Medium Copyediting services, plus:
- Rewrite wordy or overly complicated sections
Developmental Editing
- Content organization
- Restructuring (e.g., for transitions)
- Character development
- Flow
- Includes comments on manuscript and multi-page critique report.
Manuscript Critique
- A review of the same issues covered in a Developmental Edit.
- Feedback provided only through a multi-page report (no comments on the manuscript).
Course Consulting
We’ll chat to see what you’d most like my help with, such as:
- Your course outline
- Course development and design
- Course maintenance or revision
- Delivery of your course
- Online
- In-person
- Asynchronous
- Instructor-led
Manuscript Submissions
Please send your manuscript in .doc or .docx format. PDF and hard copy markup service is available, but you will need to make the corrections in the original word processing program.
SCHEDULING & TURNAROUND TIME
Projects tend to be scheduled 2–4 months out, with a 1–4 week turnaround depending on the time of year and the size of the project.
PRICING
My rates are based on industry guidelines, but I create a personalized estimate for each project. For examples of various service rates, visit the Editorial Freelancers Association rate page.
Contact me for a project estimate.
I accept payment through PayPal, money order, cashier’s check, or personal check. (Note: services will not begin until your check has cleared.)
Before the start of your project, I will email you an invoice for 50% of your project fee. Once that first invoice is paid, I start working on your project. Before I send you back your edited manuscript, I’ll email you a second invoice for the remaining 50% of your project fee. Your final edits will be returned once payment has cleared on the second invoice. For projects less than $200, full payment will be due up front.
Rush Fee
A rush fee will be added to any project with a rush turnaround time.
Contract
Before the start of your project, I will send you a contract that outlines the scope of work, schedule, project price, and legal language regarding ownership and confidentiality.
CONTACT
Send me an email:
kristen@kristenedits.com
Say hello on Facebook:
@kristenedits
Join the conversation about words and publishing on Twitter:
@kristentatroe
Meet virtually:
I’m happy to set up a virtual meeting, on- or off-camera. Just send me an email and I’ll set up a time to chat.

Photo by De Joy Photography
CLIENTS AND PROJECTS








FROM THE BLOG
Why do you need an editor?
“I just use spellcheck. I don’t see why I would need to pay you to do what my computer can do.”
read moreHello, and Welcome!
Nearly 20 years in the publishing industry, and this is the first blog post I’ll have written for myself, ever.
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