Kat Nics

Kat Nics – Editor

Experienced + enthusiastic editor of romance, mystery, YA and women's fiction. 8 years experience at Penguin including NY Times bestsellers.

Overview

Romance and genre fiction expert passionate about ensuring writer success! Whether this is your first book or your tenth, I will work closely with you to optimize your manuscript for the marketplace.

I spent eight years in the editorial department of Berkley (Penguin Random House), working primarily with romance, mystery, women's fiction and historical fiction. In my current position I produce and edit original romance for a mobile platform.

I view editing as a true collaboration, and I enjoy working with a writer to make their manuscript the best and most salable product.

My knowledge of the market (especially in romance) is just as valuable as my editing skills--I know what agents, editors and publishers are looking for and will review your work with its commercial viability in mind.

I provide a variety of editorial services and am looking forward to working with you on your manuscript!

Preferred genres include romance, YA, paranormal, mystery/thriller, women's fiction and historical fiction. Please scroll down to view a sampling of published books I have edited in these genres.
Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction New Adult Romantic Comedy Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Radish

Jul, 2017 — Present

Produce the app's top-performing story, generating over six figures monthly!

Penguin Random House

Jun, 2009 — Jul, 2017 (about 8 years)

Editor of romance, mystery, women’s fiction, and historical fiction.

Portfolio

Hooverville

Joy, Kayla

Everything for Us

Allen, Natalie R

Secrets of the Beast

Allen, Natalie R

Weeping Willow Lane

Tyler, Stacy I

The Life of Pearl

Girauld, Portia

Hey Girl

Allen, Natalie R

USA Today bestselling author Jo Goodman presents a "sprawling, lusty recreation of life, love, and slowly uncovered secrets*" as a rancher rescues a mysterious young woman with trouble of her trail.RESCUE MEAfter his train is robbed at gunpoint, Remington Fros... read more
From the critically acclaimed writer of A Different Sun, a Southern coming-of-age novel that sets three very different young people against the tumultuous years of the American civil rights movement...Tacker Hart left his home in North Carolina as a local high... read more
Returning to Calypso Falls gives Jenna Elias a second chance at the life she's always wanted and the love she's never had--if only the past doesn't get in the way...Jenna Elias was always the life of the party, coasting on her charm and beauty, hiding the sham... read more
From Genevieve Graham, author of Sound of the Heart, comes the tale of two strangers living with the Cherokee—one with a warrior’s heart; the other with deadly dreams… The Cherokee call her Shadow Girl. A white woman adopted by Indians, Adelaide is haunted by ... read more
The next irresistible romance in the School for Brides series from the author of A Convenient Bride...Sarah Palmer is impoverished, desperate, and alone. Her father was murdered years ago, and her only sibling is now dead. When an unkempt man turns up on her d... read more
Notorious bad boy Simon Harrington, third in line for his uncle’s title, has finally conceded to settling down and finding a noble wife. Then he stumbles across a courtesan in peril on a dark London street, and his life takes an unexpected turn. Fearing for he... read more
To save a "bride-in-training" from arrest, Lady Noelle Seymour sneaks into a stranger's bedroom to replace a stolen necklace-only to lock eyes with the handsome Gavin Blackwell, cousin of the Earl of Seabrook. To explain her presence in his private chamber, sh... read more
Love, Alice

Barbara Davis

A sweeping southern women’s fiction novel about forgiving the past one letter at a time—from the author of When Never Comes.A year ago, Dovie Larkin’s life was shattered when her fiancé committed suicide just weeks before their wedding. Now, plagued by guilt, ... read more
With its peaceful, hardworking Amish population, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a rural paradise. But former NYPD homicide detective Elizabeth Harris knows that evil lurks there—it’s just easier to hide... By solving the murders of two local girls, Elizabe... read more
Amish country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has always been a place of quiet beauty—until a shocking murder shatters the peace, and leaves a troubled detective picking up the pieces…After her husband is murdered, Detective Elizabeth Harris turns in her NY... read more
From the author of Veiled Magic and the Baba Yaga novels comes an exciting new paranormal romance…Since Witches came out of the broom closet in the early twenty-first century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and mo... read more
Jazz, the powerfully magical teen first introduced in Wickedly Powerful, is now being trained as a Baba Yaga—and she’s determined to free the Broken Riders herself.Jazz had a rough life before meeting her guardian, and she knows she’s lucky that Bella is train... read more
The author of the “wonderful” (Tamora Pierce) Baba Yaga novels and Dangerously Charming is back with a magically mesmerizing new tale about the dashing and daring Broken Riders... The Riders: Three immortal brothers who kept the Baba Yagas safe, now stripped o... read more
From the national bestselling author of Basket Case comes the second mystery starring the crafty and cantankerous Silver Six. Leslee Stanton Nix—aka “Nixy”—thought moving to small-town Lilyvale, Arkansas, would be about as thrilling as watching paint dry. But ... read more
In the small town of Calypso Falls, New York, one strait-laced woman is about to learn how to let loose--with the help of the last man she expects.Oldest Elias sister Bree has always been the pragmatic one, putting academics and family responsibilities before ... read more
Gourmet popcorn entrepreneur Rebecca Anderson and her poodle, Sprocket, are back on the case, in the second Popcorn Shop Mystery from the author of Kernel of Truth.Despite Rebecca Anderson’s best efforts to distance herself from her ex-husband, the guy keeps p... read more
With her poodle, Sprocket, popcorn entrepreneur Rebecca Anderson must bag a killer in the latest Popcorn Shop Mystery from the author of Pop Goes the Murder.Repairs are under way at Rebecca Anderson’s gourmet popcorn shop. With production of her tasty treats o... read more
Halloween brings more tricks than treats for costume shop owner Margo Tamblyn in the second in a new cozy series from the national bestselling author of the Material Witness Mysteries. Halloween conjures up big business for Margo Tamblyn’s costume shop, Disgui... read more
Costume shop owner Margo Tamblyn faces a deadly conspiracy when a small-town festival turns into big-time trouble.It’s no secret around Proper City, Nevada, that the Sagebrush Festival, the town’s annual family-friendly event, is the place to be. This year’s t... read more
"Steamy....complete with secrets, anger, intrigue, and love."—Publisher's WeeklyIn the latest Silver Creek romance from USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates, former rodeo star Cade Mitchell may never ride again, but there are still a few things he can do—... read more
In the Silver Creek romance Unexpected, Cole Mitchell found love in the last place he ever thought to look. Now, in USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates’ newest novel, Cole’s little sister Lark is determined to have her turn… Having never left the family ... read more
After spending another family wedding fielding questions about her non-existent love life, Kelsey Noble decides she’s tired of waiting around for things she could go out and get herself. What Kelsey wants is a baby, and she doesn’t see any point waiting for a ... read more
As cowboys, the Langston brothers of Cattle Creek, Texas, know it can hurt like hell to fall off a horse. But it can hurt even more to fall in love. . . . Sheriff Seth Langston is head over heels for local wild child Jessie McAllen and has been for years. The ... read more
Can I See You Again?

Allison Morgan

From the author of The Someday Jar comes a witty and warm novel about a matchmaker who’s an expert at matters of the heart—except when it comes to her own... Matchmaker Bree Caxton has a 98% success rate, a book about to hit the stands, and an amazing boyfrien... read more
Lies and Other Acts of Love

Kristy Woodson Harvey

Dear Carolina was praised as “Southern fiction at its best.”* Now author Kristy Woodson Harvey presents a new novel about what it really means to tell the truth . . . After sixty years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn “Lovey” White knows that all of us, fr... read more
Naughty Bits

Joey W. Hill

THE COMPLETE NOVELTo better serve the customers of her lingerie shop, Madison must explore the pleasures of giving up control... After inheriting her sister’s North Carolina lingerie shop, Naughty Bits, Madison jumps at the chance to dump her boring finance ca... read more
Award-winning author Kaki Warner brings her trademark blend of humor, romance, and Western charm to the tale of a Texas Ranger troubled by past deeds and a strong-willed woman with a history of her own... Seeking vengeance for a tragic past, Tyree Benton joine... read more

Kat has 37 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Christopher M. T.

Christopher M. T.

Nov, 2023

I previously worked with Kat last year for my debut novel and worked with her again for my second one. She is fast and delivers everything as promised and on time. She always keeps the voice as is, but cleans up the writing to make it shine and read better. Highly recommend!
Tiffany C.

Tiffany C.

Feb, 2023

I'm so grateful I found Kat! She has been a God-send. She is thorough, quick, and within my budget. The ultimate trifecta.
Tiffany C.

Tiffany C.

Feb, 2023

I loved working with Kat. This was my first time hiring an editor and she made it a wonderful experience. Her feedback and clarity was invaluable. She worked with me on my timeline (which was tight) and truly made the manuscript better while protecting my voice as the writer. I feel much more confident self-publishing my book now. I’m so grateful I found her! Will definitely use again. Highly r...
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Jess P.

Jess P.

Nov, 2022

I had a great experience working with Kat on my debut novel. She was thoughtful and meticulous, and I now feel much more confident to move ahead with self-publishing. I hope to work with her again!
Rochelle M.

Rochelle M.

Nov, 2022

I loved working with Kat and will definitely be reaching out again for books 2 and 3 of my first series. She completely got what I was shooting for in terms of tone and audience and gave extremely helpful feedback on a couple of sections that needed more work. Most importantly, based on Kat's feedback, I have the confidence to go forth and self-publish.

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