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Kris Emery Editorial

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EDITING...

But not as you know it.

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So you're here because you need an editor.

Or you think you need an editor.

Truth be told, you're not 100% sure what an editor does.

Something to do with punctuation, right?

Right! Well, partly...

There's all sorts of reasons you've started looking for a book editor:

Maybe you've been told outright that you need an editor.

Maybe locking in editing services is the accountability you need so you can actually sit down and get that book out of your head.

Maybe you've read about how to publish your ebook and you keep seeing references to getting it edited.

Maybe you've heard it's the next step to go pro with your writing.

Or maybe you just don't quite have the confidence to put your voice out there without someone else taking a look.

LET'S BE HONEST.
Your job isn’t to think about the grammar.

It’s hard enough to:

write what you have to write

figure out a structure that makes the best sense

make sure the message is strong

tell your story

get the words to express what's in your heart...

...without adding perfectionism into the mix.

You've spent countless hours on this already.

And that's not to mention the months (years?) it was bubbling away as an idea, before you even dared set pen to paper and write.

I have no doubt that finding the time to write this book was an effort of epic proportion. Let alone finding the initiative and inspiration.

You've come so far already that maybe you're wondering how there can still be so far to go.

Here’s the truth...

Over 97% of people writing books never finish.

Only 2% of books sell more than 5,000 copies.

Less than 1% of submitted manuscripts are taken on by publishers.

And that's enough to stop most people, even after all those hours invested in writing their book draft.

But not you.

I know you...

You haven't come this far to only come this far.

You have something to share that goes beyond you.

YOU KNOW WHY THIS MESSAGE IS NEEDED.

WHY THIS STORY MUST BE HEARD.

WHY IT MATTERS.

AND HOW IT WILL SET OTHERS FREE.

You want to share your insights with the world.

But you want to do it well.

So it's time to hand over your words.

No more tweaking and tinkering.

No more fiddling around with the order of Chapter 3.

No more fretting about how much repetition there is in Chapter 7.

No more feeling stuck about how to move forward,
because what if... what if... what if...?

YOU WANT THE DRAFT FINISHED, READY, DONE.

AND EDITING IS HOW YOU DO THAT.

(Believe me, there’s nothing like an editing deadline to make a book happen!)

It also reassures your Inner Self-Editor that you've got someone on the case...
...a real pro guarding against any risk of looking like a big idiot when you publish.

Because there'll be no big idiots on my watch, thanks.

This, in a nutshell, is
why you need an editor.

To be a creative collaborator, making your ideas irresistible to your readers.

To quiet the voices that say you can't or shouldn't. The voices that say your writing isn't good enough. The voices that say what you have to share isn't worth printing.

To help you put your best work out there with confidence and style.

To free you from agonising hours of writing then deleting, writing then deleting.

To feel certain about what you've written and how it connects with the people who will read it.

To get your book making the biggest impact in the most succinct and engaging way.

To help you dare to do this!

barbara

If I’m perfectly honest, I was dreading having my book edited as I was afraid of someone else reading it and ‘checking’ my work. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Working with Kris made the whole experience extremely painless. She outlines the entire process so you know exactly what’s happening, and then supports you from start to finish.

I really did feel like I was in safe hands.

As well as being a lovely person, Kris is an editing genius and knows exactly what you want to say, and more importantly how you want to say it. I loved working with Kris and can highly recommend her to anyone.

BARBARA NIXON
Boss Hat | barbaranixon.co.uk

What does an editor actually do?

When you reach the point of handing it over, that's when an editor's job really begins.

Editing is not a list of checks to tick off.

It's a continuum.

From a high-level overview down to the nitty-gritty detail, performed in that order.

Here's what that looks like:

structure

On the most zoomed-out end, there's structural editing which deals with the text on a high level. You might see this referred to as developmental editing, especially in fiction. Structural editing is a check that the overall book is in the right order and fit for purpose.

(Not everyone needs this, especially in non-fiction if you've already taught a certain format before, worked with one-to-one clients, had structure guidance from a writing or business coach, or used test readers to achieve the same result.)

content

Next comes content or substantive editing, which overlaps with heavy copyediting. This is a sense check. It means clarifying, querying and making editorial decisions on language, style and content.

Will the audience understand it? Is there a clearer way of putting it? Is it too wordy? Or not explained in enough depth? Are there omissions where the author has assumed too much prior knowledge? Is it overly simplistic? Does it make sense?

copy

Narrower again is copyediting, which is essential for every book. Here, your editor looks at language and style on a more in-depth level, ensuring consistency, tone good grammar, usage and word order, and improving flow, readability and word choice.

(Copyeditors will often pick up on bits included under content editing if this hasn't been separately. These areas can cross over significantly.)

proof

And the most fine-detail level is proofreading, where the editor ensures the manuscript is fully accurate and tidy.

These are the absolute basic, black-and-white, no-room-for-ambiguity changes. Errors, inconsistencies and typos are eradicated. Spelling, punctuation, headings, spacing and numbering are all perfected.

WANT AN EDITOR TO TAKE YOUR DRAFT TO SOARING HEIGHTS?

(LIKE MAKE IT SUPER SPESH?)

LOOK NO FURTHER.

You’ve found her.

APPLY NOW
books-1

Whether you need a lighter-touch or a more in-depth review, my job as your editor is to read a piece of writing and make sure it's as readable as it can be.

In short, we're talking:

typos

grammar

punctuation

spelling

word order

word choice

consistency

capitalisation

hyphenation

accuracy

pacing

headings

syntax

repetition

tautology

But we're also talking:

clarity

simplicity

interest

engagement

voice

repetition

style

tone

readability

flow

emotion

formality

appropriate examples

story-telling

wow factor*

*Totally a technical term

As your editor, I check that you've said what you want to say exactly as you want to say it and that the audience is going to lap it up.

As your editor, I check that you've said what you want to say exactly as you want to say it and that the audience is going to lap it up.

Whether you're self-publishing first or going straight to an agent, you must, must, must (please!) present an impressive manuscript that lives up to your audience's expectations and showcases your work, your story, your vibe in the very best light.

I CAN HELP YOU DO THAT.

BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

I'm Kris, editor of digital and print books, and language-loving communications creative.

Brace yourself. Official bio up ahead.

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With my travel obsession and linguistics knowledge lighting the way, I work with writers and entrepreneurs with a message to express and the drive to dare to do it.

Everything I create is infused with freedom and fun.

Starting a writing career in the City of London as a corporate reporter, I know well the need to communicate in tight turnarounds. It comes with the territory when you're working with the likes of Bill Gates, Tony Blair, Muhammad Yunas and other global corporate and government hotshots.

That's why in my editing intensives, I provide exceptional editing expertise in mindblowing time.

Enthusiasm abounds when I’m in the room, making my editing style uplifting as well as ultra pro. Expect to write more easily and sound more like you with me as your go-to words girl.

Using my innate curiosity, I help you craft impactful writing that captures your readers’ attention. My absolute dealbreaker is writing that doesn’t speak to the audience or sound like you.

From my academic background as a Master of Linguistics at the University of Westminster, I learned how to manipulate language to great effect, challenging as well as abiding by the wealth of word choice available to us as writers. As the definitive word-maker-upper, you’ll soon see how reinventing the rulebook is something I subscribe to wholeheartedly…

And the very basis on which I base my ebook and print book editing packages.

EDITING PACKAGES

SHORTER BOOK EDITING

FROM $1,995 AUD

Up to 25,000 words

Content reviewed within 5 days

Copyedited and proofread within 5 days

Email support on writing during the project

APPLY NOW

LONGER BOOK EDITING

FROM $3,995 AUD

Up to 50,000 words

Content reviewed within 10 days

Copyedited independently within 10 days

Proofread independently within 10 days

Collaborative writing of author bio and book blurb

Unlimited email support on writing and self-publishing until your book launch

APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW

With me as your editor, you have the freedom to write your way.
I make it clearer, snappier, more engaging.

I love playing with words and can rip the language to smithereens.

You get your writing back vibrant and new.

(With no typos.)

THE #1 COMPLIMENT I GET FROM MY CLIENTS IS:
"IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE ME... ONLY BETTER."

Heard enough?

LET'S DO THIS!
kelly

It’s been a couple weeks since I got my first book back from Kris and her work still blows me away. Kris has great attention to details and picks up on things that I can’t always see when I’m “in” the process.

n the beginning I was simply looking for an editor who could get my book to market without embarrassing typos or incomplete sentences, but in the process I got an amazing partner on this project who invested her all into each word.

I’m certain that without Kris’ competent help I’d still be in editing hell, working by myself and slogging through it, never fully confident enough to hit publish. Instead, I know that this book is just the beginning of an amazing journey and I’m already editing book #2 for Kris now!

I’ve told all my friends and colleagues who are ready to go from maybe to YES in their book writing journey to call Kris now, she’s incredible and worth the investment in your project and peace of mind!

KELLY AZEVEDO
Every Entrepreneur Neeeds Systems Series | shesgotsystems.com

What happens when you hire me?

Here's how it works:

step-1

Whether you need your work proofread, copyedited, content edited, or even if you still don't know, the first step is to fill out some details about what you're writing.

(Please note, I am not a structural editor, but I can refer you to someone if you require this stage of editing before we work together.)

step-2

Next we'll schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.

We'll talk through your piece of writing, what it's all about, who it's for, and how you're going to publish it. I'll send you through some personalised recommendations of how to get your writing to a point where you're ready to work with an editor.

step-3

We lock in a date, do a lil' paperwork, and make sure you have everything you need to finish your draft.

step-4

By Monday morning Brisbane time of the week we agreed, you send me your finished-as-you-can-get-it piece of writing, which will become your print book or ebook. This is what we refer to as your 'draft' or 'manuscript'. (Although 'manuscript' sounds way scarier than it needs to be, don't you think? At the end of the day, it's just a Word document!)

You'll normally submit in a Word or Google Docs, unless we agree otherwise. (This is industry-standard.)

step-5

When I get your document for the first round of editing, I read it through and do the copyediting (and some light content editing if necessary). This means making it readable. This means looking at the more subjective voice and style stuff, like how acceptable it is to the intended audience and whether you've captured the right tone, used the best words in the best order, and sound natural.

It's where I sprinkle a little fairy dust... Make magic happen... You know, the usual.

step-6

Then you get two copies of your edited draft back to take a look at for yourself. One of those drafts has all the changes I've made, marked up so you can understand it. And the other document is all nice and clean for you to work in.

Now it's your turn to review the changes and comments. (Here's where you might shed a little tear of joy. Or maybe of relief. You're so close now... And it's starting to look like a real book!)

step-7

When you're finished rewriting parts of it or addressing my questions, you send it back to me. I apply all of your amendments and finalise your piece of writing by proofreading it.

AND YOU'RE READY TO PUBLISH!

Communication is key.

Only by chatting one-on-one can I get a feel for your voice and understand your audience.

The relationship is important...

...because editing isn't just about words on a page.

It's about the person.

The writer. Your story. you.

APPLY NOW
books-2

TAKE THE FIRST STEP. (IT'S FREE!)

Right this way...

BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Complete your project details for a free no-obligation consultation.

By submitting your contact info, you're permitting us to get in touch. It's a starting point to see if we get along and for you to suss out the world of editing.

After you apply, I'll review your project and be in touch.

EDITING PACKAGES

SHORTER BOOK EDITING

FROM $1,995 AUD

Up to 25,000 words

Content reviewed within 5 days

Copyedited and proofread within 5 days

Email support on writing during the project

APPLY NOW

LONGER BOOK EDITING

FROM $3,995 AUD

Up to 50,000 words

Content reviewed within 10 days

Copyedited independently within 10 days

Proofread independently within 10 days

Collaborative writing of author bio and book blurb

Unlimited email support on writing and self-publishing until your book launch

APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
sylvia

I have a book that I’m confident to send to print! As a numbers person, writing has never been my strong suit but Kris helped me see the value in my book and understand the value it could offer to women in business.

She transformed my words and made them sound better and flow more smoothly. She called me out on the grey areas and questioned where something made sense to me, but may not have made sense to others.

You’ve gotta work with Kris. Seriously. She promised me she would get it done in a certain timeframe and she did. She promised she would be thorough and she was. She was encouraging the whole way through. I felt supported and I knew what I had delivered to me was polished and professional. Plus, she’s such a cool chick.

Don’t walk, run. Work with Kris!

SYLVIA CHIERCHIA
Money Made Beautiful | sylviacheirchia.com

You know you want to...

FINISH THAT BOOK, BECOME AN AUTHOR!

YES, I'M READY!

Frequently Asked Questions

(and a few things nobody asks)

These are the most Frequently Asked Questions that I get asked ahead of editing.

I'll try not to get too geeky... But consider yourself forewarned!

WHAT DOES AN EDITOR DO? Expand

Metonymy? Semantics? Tautology? Say what? (I know. I told you it was geeky.) I spent several years studying language and have a Masters degree in linguistics, so you could say I love this stuff, but I know it's not for everyone.

I'll try to keep this sort of description to a minimum and use straightforward English words to explain what an editor does. Because the answer is: a lot. And it might surprise you to learn that it's not just about grammar!

An editor is a master of words and how those words communicate meaning. There are a number of ways you can do this, but all of them have the common goal of making your piece of writing (in this case, your book!) more readable.

There are several 'depths' of editing, which means different levels of scrutiny.

WHAT KIND OF EDITING DO I NEED? Expand

Here's an idea of the main 5 types of editing. Note that these are different skills and many editors do not provide all of them.

Rewriting

Substantially changing the text, usually to be used for a different purpose, for instance a webinar transcript turned into an ebook.

Structural editing

Looking at the overall order of ideas and how they work as a whole. (Also called 'developmental'.)

Content editing

Making sure the ideas have integrity and nothing is missing or superfluous. Checking for clarity, cohesion, gaps and repetition.

Copy editing

Making it read better for your reader, while still sounding like you. Ensuring there is no jarring of sentences and the words flow smoothly.

Proofreading

Making it strictly accurate, catching typos, and dealing with grammar.

Your experience as a writer does not necessarily determine what depth of editing you need. In fact, the more experienced a writer is, the more they are likely to understand the great benefits of editing.

With non-fiction, I tend to find that structural editing is optional, especially if you have taught your content before in a structure that you wish to use again for the book. Most people who are writing a book will need at least content editing, copyediting and proofreading and potentially several rounds of each, especially if they are self-publishing and the book is unlikely to be looked at again by an editing professional before publication.

For more info on what an editor can do, check out this post: 34 Things You Didn't Know Your Editor Could Help You Do

CAN I HAVE A TRIAL TO SEE IF I LIKE IT? Expand

While my schedule doesn't allow for individual test edits, my process does take into account that you might be nervous about selecting an editor you like.

It's important that you get along with the editor you choose and that you can work together collaboratively.

Your book is precious.

And working with an editor is a big decision and major investment.

You want to know if the editor you choose will take good care of you and your voice.

You want to get this decision right.

That's why I always:

  • schedule a meeting and speak to you face-to-face before we start, so that you can make a call on how well we gel
  • invite you to reach out to any of these past clients about their experiences
  • provide a list of works I've edited so you can go see if you like my style
  • suggest you take a look around at my own writing on this site to get an idea of my style*
  • offer samples of my work on my editing resources page**

*Editing is about your style, not my style, and I can work with any number of styles as an editor. However, many people who are in the position of choosing an editor are afraid that an editor will scrub their personality from their words. Taking a poke around my blog should set your mind at ease that I'm not one of those kinds of editors!

**Head to the samples section for examples of heavier and lighter edits. These are real-life projects, used with permission from real-life clients. They illustrate the exact kinds of comments and changes you can expect.

CAN'T I JUST GET MY FRIEND TO PROOFREAD MY WORK? Expand

You could, but whether you want to is another matter...

I don't know your friend's credentials. And a second pair of eyes is certainly better than none at all.

However, what many people don't realise is that editing is more than just being "good with words". A degree in English doesn't mean someone can proofread. And having good attention to detail doesn't mean someone can make it read well for your audience or identify a synonym that will have more impact.

Here are the sorts of things a professional editor does that your well-meaning helper will possibly overlook.

  • Make sure the wording is appropriate for your target audience
  • Check capitals, hyphens, spellings, grammar, words, definitions, acronyms, style choices are consistently used
  • Check assumptions that you're making about the reader are consistently applied
  • Make sure sentence length is right for the style and genre you are writing in
  • Simplify and clarify concepts
  • Choose better fitting words for the context
  • Know when it's better to break the rules for the sake of better readability
  • Transform flabby or passive writing into tight, relevant, succinct and active writing
  • Apply digital self-publishing knowledge

And lots more besides.

It's not just making sure the commas are in the right place.

The best combination of all, of course, is to do both. Get your friends and family and clients to lend their time as test readers, then get your writing edited and proofread by a professional.

It's great to get as many pairs of eyes on it as possible before it goes out to your readership.

Every read-through will improve the piece. Just make sure you know when to stop tweaking!

(Hint: Your editor can help you with that too!)

HOW LONG DOES EDITING TAKE? Expand

Editors all work at different speeds, which is why you should never hire anyone at an hourly rate without talking about word count.

It can be difficult for a first-time author to estimate word count, of course, which is why I suggest getting in touch when you are about 4 to 8 weeks away from finishing your draft. That way, you will have an idea of how it's going and be able to reliably select a date.

I prefer to focus solidly on one book project at a time, rather than juggle several writers all at the same time. Allocating a slot for your project and working exclusively with you when the time comes helps me tune into your language and message, which gives a far smoother, more consistent result. And not juggling too many projects means I can provide a fast turnaround to you.

You'll get an estimated turnaround when I provide a quotation for your work.

As a guide, block out 3 weeks per 25,000 words for my complete three-stage editing service.

If you are trying to find a date for your book release, the most successful and experienced authors leave some breathing space between editing and launch. Depending on the length of your book, I recommend locking in your editor around 3 months before you are set to publish.

That said, always ask for last-minute quick turnarounds. My calendar is constantly changing!

WILL YOU TELL ME IF MY WRITING IS TERRIBLE? Expand

Okay, first up, if you're wondering whether your writing is 'good enough', I can already tell you that it's much better than you think! Only very self-aware writers even ask themselves this.

I'll never tell a writer that their writing is terrible. I don't believe in ripping apart people's work and there's no such thing as a bad writer.

My approach is encouraging and enthusiastic. My aim is to make it better, not tell you it's shit!

I can advise you as to whether the language you've used speaks to your audience.

I can craft a piece that will not only look pro and polished, but will shine in comparison to all the other noise out there.

I can give my opinion on where there are gaps and point out repetition.

I can switch up words to make them have more impact.

I can shorten and clarify sentences to make them flow more fluently, be less waffly, and get more information across more succinctly.

I can help you write a book your reader will thank you for.

But what I can't do is sell your book for you, make sure the right people are coming to your website to buy it, or guess what your readers want.

To do that, you need to know your audience inside out and then go find those people to read your words. Once you test out your writing on your audience to see what they like, you have something to work with and then I go about making your book as beautiful and relevant as it can be.

ARE YOU A COPYWRITER? Expand

In short, no.  But I do offer rewriting for time-poor entrepreneurs who want to publish a book but don't want to write it themselves. If you have existing content that you want to turn into a book, get in touch and my team can handle the whole project for you from start to finish.

As a copyeditor, I'm often confused with a copywriter, so to explain the difference...

A copywriter writes for you. Usually website pages, content and emails that aim to sell something. They have extensive marketing expertise to do this.

A copyeditor takes the words you have written yourself and makes them more beautiful, engaging, punchy... whatever you need.

This can be web copy, content and emails and pieces of communication that aim to sell. Or it can be books, articles, magazines, documentation, reports that aim to inform, engage, educate and more.

I edit books.

Mostly (but not exclusively) books that will be self-published first.

Mostly (but not exclusively) for first-time authors who are also entrepreneurs, small business owners, health practitioners, experts or speakers.

Mostly (but not exclusively) women who know their businesses inside out and want to retain the creative control of their writing.

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