Grace Kerina - Editor
Editorial assessment for self-help books. I’ve worked with publishers and over 100 authors. Empathy and quality. Writing coach.
Request a quote
Verified identity
Overview
My specialty is diagnosing manuscripts with compassion, a skill developed over years of collaboration with authors to take books to completion.
The moment an author offers their book to a reader can be daunting. I provide you with a steadying hand to minimize stumbles and raise confidence, so you can finish your book and reach the people you want to help.
In my work as a freelance editor and writing coach, I help authors improve the quality of their words and make a deeper connection with their readers. I've worked with traditional publishers and with independently published authors.
During an editorial assessment, I'll read and assess your manuscript, with a focus on identifying what you do best as a writer and developing a strategic plan for what remains to be done. You'll receive a document with kudos and suggestions for the manuscript as a whole, as well as more detailed feedback at a chapter level.
My goal is to help you engage your reader, shine as yourself, and finish your book.
I work with full manuscripts. You'll get the most from what I offer if you already have a start-to-finish draft of your book (all chapters included). A lot of what I do is assess the book as a whole, including assessing how the pieces of the book reflect the whole and vice versa. In this way, my feedback supports you in delivering a cohesive and focused book to your readers.
As an option, you can request an editorial assessment plus live coaching sessions. The coaching is done by phone, Zoom, or Skype, at an hourly rate, with a focus on applying the recommendations from the editorial assessment.
===
“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 Kerina, 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
The moment an author offers their book to a reader can be daunting. I provide you with a steadying hand to minimize stumbles and raise confidence, so you can finish your book and reach the people you want to help.
In my work as a freelance editor and writing coach, I help authors improve the quality of their words and make a deeper connection with their readers. I've worked with traditional publishers and with independently published authors.
During an editorial assessment, I'll read and assess your manuscript, with a focus on identifying what you do best as a writer and developing a strategic plan for what remains to be done. You'll receive a document with kudos and suggestions for the manuscript as a whole, as well as more detailed feedback at a chapter level.
My goal is to help you engage your reader, shine as yourself, and finish your book.
I work with full manuscripts. You'll get the most from what I offer if you already have a start-to-finish draft of your book (all chapters included). A lot of what I do is assess the book as a whole, including assessing how the pieces of the book reflect the whole and vice versa. In this way, my feedback supports you in delivering a cohesive and focused book to your readers.
As an option, you can request an editorial assessment plus live coaching sessions. The coaching is done by phone, Zoom, or Skype, at an hourly rate, with a focus on applying the recommendations from the editorial assessment.
===
“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 Kerina, 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
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
LGBTQ (non fiction)
Self-help & Self-improvement
Work experience
Editorial Assessments and Writing Coaching
Self-employed
September, 2010
–
Present
(almost 10 years)
I diagnose manuscripts and provide compassionate support for finishing.
Senior Managing Editor | Publisher | Freelance Editor
The Author Incubator
January, 2015
–
September, 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.
Writing Coach | Editor
Self-employed
September, 2010
–
May, 2015
(over 4 years)
I coached writers to write more like themselves, write for publication, and reach their writing goals. Services included substantive editing, copyediting, editorial assessment, and ghostwriting.
Portfolio (12 selected works)
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 love coach, Amari Ice, and his twelve-step RELATIONSHIP Process. In Lasting Love at Last, the gay relationship guru will show you:How to a... 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 childhood bookworm to accidental accomplished athlete. Over the last ten years, Ayers has completed a vast array of races. She runs them all whi... 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 can understand your vision and get stuff done. Unfortunately, it can seem impossible, especially with the cultural differences between G... 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 simplicity of getting a city kid exploring their neighborhood park. How is it that so much life, community, and opportunity can grow from this un... 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 late-stage lung cancer. Since that shocking diagnosis, she has been on a remarkable journey of healing and renewal that has reshaped her... read more
PRIDE: You Can't Heal If You're Hiding From Yourself
Ronald Holt, William Huggett
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 identity and you don't know how to help? You are not alone.Dr. Ron Holt has spoken to thousands of college-age students to help them make se... 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 reprocessing unresolved questions about how to keep your business on a solid financial footing or nurture it to the next level? Do you feel l... read more
Swimming with Elephants: My Unexpected Pilgrimage from Physician to Healer
Sarah Bamford Seidelmann
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 than just the physical needs of her patients and to live in a lighter, more conscious way.Swimming with Elephants tells the eccentric, ... 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 was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, readers won’t find negative, scary stories about how a diagnosis will hurt them. Instead... read more
Leaving the Castle: Finding the Confidence to Start Over
Wendy Hammond
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. Stories and fairy tales help us tap into stronger, faster, and more cunning unconscious parts of our psyches. They show us how to gain clar... 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 more – more impact, more contribution, more freedom, and more profitability. But where you are is pretty comfortable – and it seems very ... 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 yoga as a healing modality in schools, prisons, recovery centers, and to traumatized populations abroad in Kenya, Haiti, and Tibet. In Embo... read more
Grace has 3 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
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 Fennell, May 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
Mark Fennell, February 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!
Joyce Kristiansson, February 2020
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Brianna Flaherty
Former in-house editor at Penguin Random House, now freelancing with a strong focus on memoir, health, and wellness.
New York, NY, United States
Beth Partin
I edit literary fiction, mysteries, memoirs, and travelers' tales; I have 25 years' experience as a copy editor.
Kansas City, MO, USA
