Grace Kerina

Grace Kerina – Editor

Editorial Assessments and Writing Coaching. I've worked with 100+ nonfiction authors.

Overview

Congratulations! You’ve written a draft! Whew. Now you’d like some guidance, because you have questions...

Which parts of what you wrote work well? Which parts might confuse your readers? What are your special talents as an author? What are the most important issues to focus on next? Are you writing from your true self?

My specialties are diagnosing writing projects with compassion in an editorial assessment, and coaching writers.

In an editorial assessment I provide specific steps for completion—a skill developed over years of collaboration with more than a hundred nonfiction self-help authors. If we’re a good fit to work together, I’ll read your draft to identify what you do best as a writer (so you can capitalize on that) and give you a strategic plan for what remains to be done. You’ll receive a report with kudos, feedback, and suggestions for the project as a whole, plus more detailed feedback at the chapter level. If you’ve written a complete draft (meaning your draft has all the main content included) and you’ve read that draft from start to finish, I welcome you to request a quote for an editorial assessment.

As a writing coach, I help authors claim their voice and find their own true path. I'm not a traditional writing coach. I work with creatives who want to bring more intuition and self-love into their author journeys. If you want to talk about your path as a writer, I welcome you to request a quote for a coaching call (you can use the Editorial Assessment service option).

What I offer:
> Editorial Assessments – I look over your manuscript and give you a solid plan for moving forward and finishing (with a prioritized checklist): US$975 + Reedsy fees
> 60-Minute Calls – If you feel uncertain about your path as a writer but are ready to claim your true voice, or if you don't feel like you're on a clear path with your writing project, this is a good option. US$250 + Reedsy fees

Releasing your writing into the world can be daunting. I provide a steadying hand to minimize stumbles and raise your confidence as your true and wonderful self.

===

"Grace's peaceful presence has allowed me to do what I do best. She brings her understanding of the work as a whole and her curiosity and questions."
—Sarah Seidelmann, author of multiple books, including BORN TO FREAK

“Grace is a joy to work with. Her simple yet profound ideas made my book dramatically better.”
—Charles Joseph McClain, author of ZEN AND THE ART OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE

“My editor, Grace, brought her talent, sensitivity, and firm grasp of her trade, which are beautifully balanced in a powerfully professional collaborator.”
—Pam Prior, author of YOUR FIRST CFO

“The amount of value you added to the book has been significant at every stage.”
—Kevin Snook, author of MAKE IT RIGHT
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs LGBTQ Non-Fiction Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2010 — Present

I diagnose manuscripts and provide compassionate support for finishing. In one-on-one phone calls, I coach authors to write more like themselves and reach their writing goals. For selected clients, services also include additional types of editing.

The Author Incubator

Jan, 2015 — Sep, 2017 (over 2 years)

As a managing editor, I brought more than ten years of writing, editing, and coaching experience to my role of helping authors through the multi-week process of publishing their book, beginning with a draft manuscript and ending with a published ebook. My responsibilities included facilitating timelines and helping authors meet deadlines regarding developing, writing, and publishing their books.

As senior managing editor, in addition to managing editor responsibilities, I trained managing editors and taught writing skills to authors.

As publisher, I managed the editorial staff and facilitated the publishing process.

As a freelance editor, I conducted editorial assessments of manuscripts.

Portfolio

After two decades in the study and practice of medicine, Sarah Seidelmann took a three month sabbatical to search for a way to feel good again. Having witnessed human suffering early in her career and within her own family, she longed for a way to address more... read more
If you kill your bookkeeper, who will write the bail check?Are you paying good money for an accountant and bookkeeper, but still lack enough confidence in your company’s financials to answer critical money questions? Do you sit up at night processing and repro... read more
Do you wonder or worry about your gender or sexual feelings?Do you have unanswered questions about your gender or sexual feelings? Are you worried about what other people might think of you if they knew? Or do you know someone who is struggling with their iden... read more
The self-published sensation and UK bestseller that has helped thousands touched by cancer. “I have cancer. Cancer does not have me.” Sophie Sabbage was forty-eight years old, happily married, and mother to a four-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed with ... read more
With climate change in the news, an urban core that has reached boiling point, and many children growing up without role models and with limited dreams, where is hope? There is a quiet experiment in Milwaukee that is turning heads. It starts with the simplicit... read more
Make ‘Em Beg To Work For You: Find, Hire, Manage, Reward, and Release All-star Players to Help Make your Dream a RealityIf you are like most solopreneurs or small business owners, the desire to make your dreams come true at a bigger level requires a team that ... read more
Witty, observant, and full of cringe-worthy confessions and heartwarming encouragement, Confessions celebrates both running and life. Part Bridget Jones, part Forrest Gump, Dana Ayers chronicles her awkward mishaps and adventures in transitioning from childhoo... read more
At last, gay love is here to stay.In the era of mobile apps, the gay dating census (aka #BaeBuffet) is literally in the palm of your hands. But how do you sift through all the digital smoke and glitter to find a heart of gold? Enter certified matchmaker and lo... read more
What does twisting your body into poses named after animals have to do with trauma recovery? Everything. If you’ve ever wondered how yoga can inform trauma recovery and help us cope with extreme stress, this book is for you.Author Lisa Danylchuk has taught yog... read more
Would you like to be more profitable than you currently are?Why aren’t you already more profitable? If you’ve reached a level of success as a business leader or entrepreneur, the chances are your life is pretty good. Yet there’s a dilemma.Deep down, you want m... read more
Leaving the Castle uses myth and fairy tales to explore what happens inside ourselves after the collapse of a marriage, as we search for the confidence to start over. It is almost impossible to make a huge life change using only the conscious logical mind. Sto... read more
Discussing everything from diet and exercise to stress and emotion management, Live Your Life, Not Your Diagnosis provides tools readers can use immediately to help them feel better while living with a diagnosis. Written by a master certified mindset coach who... read more

Grace has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Janet H.

Janet H.

Jun, 2022

I am a first-time author. I interviewed a few finalists for my need of an editorial assessment. While I think they all would have been great, Grace's authentic voice and enthusiasm came through on the call. Grace delivered the report on schedule. Her report was clearly structured. She wisely started with "what worked" in the book - calming my nerves as I read the assessment. She offered struc...
Read more
Mark F.

Mark F.

May, 2020

Grace is true as advertised. She is warm and insightful. As a first time author, she was the right choice to engage first to help build up my confidence while helping to guide me and my manuscript to the next level. I would particularly urge first time authors to consider using Grace.
Mark F.

Mark F.

Feb, 2020

Grace is warm and insightful. As a first time author, this combination was exactly what I needed. Her Editorial Assessment provided me both a big picture of overarching changes I could make to better my book and specific chapter recommendations. I appreciate that she pointed out my unique strengths as a writer and commented on portions she felt really well written. I could see immediately how i...
Read more
Joyce K.

Joyce K.

Feb, 2020

Grace's editorial assessment is invaluable in helping me move forward with publication of my book. She shared what resonated and what required help - conceptually, technically - in all ways. I cannot wait to incorporate her comments. I have so much more confidence in getting this book to completion thanks to Grace's review. I am so grateful!

Professionals similar to Grace

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Bev West

Bev W.

NYT bestselling developmental editor/ghost with 25+ years in Big 5 Publishing. Focus: thought leadership, business, memoir, true crime

New York City, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Adina Edelman

Adina E.

Mining Your Message for Gold: Developmental and Line Editing for Memoir and Fiction

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Simon Yapp

Simon Y.

Experienced book indexer with over 10 years working for publishers such as Wiley and Oxford University Press.

Brighton, UK

88% reply rate

View profile