Editing

 

Developmental Editing

I specialise in giving detailed feedback, advice, and suggestions for work in progress so that writers can overcome project issues, get ready to redraft, and maximise the power and potential of their work.

Over email or via zoom, I’ll provide a comprehensive assessment of the full manuscript with evaluation of its publishing potential. I will provide an analysis of key aspects such as plot, characterisation, pacing and structure, point out the work’s strengths and weaknesses, and prepare you for rewriting. I will also suggest structural changes to help maximise the work’s power and impact, while respecting your aims and vision.

My assessment will help you to prepare the book for an editor or agent. Your feedback will include a list highlighting specific pages that require attention, and you’ll also receive a copy of your manuscript with any relevant light edits marked using Word’s review and track changes functions.

Nonfiction and fiction: starting at £550 (30,000 words)

Copy Editing

I offer an editing service for completed manuscripts to get them in the best possible shape for submission or publication. Copy editing includes correction of grammar issues, typos, spelling errors and other inconsistencies, as well as sentence and paragraph or stanza reconstruction where necessary. I work with writers and clients to ensure that any changes are made with consent, and that the work achieves their aims and objectives. I help to ensure consistency of style and tone where appropriate, and work to style guides as necessary. I can also format and prepare manuscripts for self-publishing.

I specialise in editing poetry collections, but I also work with nonfiction and and fiction, and on articles and reports for charities, NGOs and publishers.

Poetry: starting at £250 (20 pages)
Prose: starting at £450 (30,000 words)
Please get in touch for a quote.

 

Client Feedback

  • 'I worked with Kate on a developmental edit of my work-in-progress manuscript. My main concern was finding someone who understood my vision, and it was clear that Kate did. She gave honest, actionable feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the work, and how it needed to develop in order to realise my vision more fully. I wouldn't hesistate to work with her again.'

    Jonathan Payne, author of Citizen Orlov.

  • 'I highly recommend Kate Potts as an absolutely excellent editor. Her thorough and insightful comments on my novel were incredibly helpful. The feedback she provided was clear and easy to follow. She was particularly helpful in pointing out weak areas in lines of reasoning, or contradictions, and it was a great asset for me to have Kate's fresh, well-read perspective. Kate understood what I was trying to achieve in my work. She also did an excellent job of marking places in the manuscript where I could sharpen characterisation and voice. Kate was efficient and encouraging throughout the process.'

    Susanna de Chenonceau, author

  • 'Kate (Dr Potts) is the quintessential example of professionalism, a perfectionist, and a professor of writing. What else could you want in an editor?'

    Nonfiction author (US)

Ready to get started?

Get in touch to discuss your project