Overview
*Taking novel, memoir, and psychology-based nonfiction projects from ambitious, talented authors only*
The process of writing and publishing a book is an epic saga. But however vast the emotional or creative depths you are plumbing, however grand and painful-to-feel your dreams to become a published author may be, it's so worth it—especially when you have the opportunity to work with empathetic and knowledgeable professionals who share a deep love of the craft and will cheer you and champion you along the way.
I'm a passionate book editor and book coach of literary and popular fiction, memoir, and various nonfiction.
I edit for various traditional publishers and also serve my own private clients, with whom I specialize in book coaching (assisting them to write their dream novel or memoir from scratch in six months); manuscript assessment; developmental and substantive editing; and the emotional support that should always come alongside.
To empower writers to believe in their abilities and realize their publishing dreams: this is the mandate of my boutique editing company, based in Montreal, Canada, and the foundation of my professional values.
Let's talk books and big dreams.
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"Working with Kate was a gentle and smooth experience. I felt she really understood me and guided my work in the direction it craved instead of somewhere off the map. I can't wait to work with her further, she is very passionate and inspiring." —Amy Mattes, author of Late September (2024)
“Kate is magic. She will help elevate you and your craft through a creative process that will challenge and support you at the same time. I hope we continue to have reasons to work together. It's been such a pleasure.” —Alana Best, author of Around the World in Black & White (2023)
"Thank you for the fantastic editing and the incredible support you've given me and my book." —Andrea Gunraj, author of The Lost Sister (2020)
"Writing my book with Kate was a healing experience for me. She built up my confidence as a writer and saw much more in me than I realized was there. Her attention to my manuscript far exceeded my expectations. I didn't know editors could care so much about what you wrote! My memoir is outstanding and it embodies me. I couldn't have done that without Kate." —DW McKinney, professional writer
"Kate has been frighteningly good at zoning in on what I'm trying to express and then sharing tips and insights to help my writing serve my ideas . . . I would absolutely recommend her to anyone who is ready to start taking themselves seriously as a writer. She's essentially a midwife, but for your stories." —Malaika Aleba
"Kate is a supremely gifted editor as well as a wonderful, supportive, and motivating person to work with. She is highly organized, with incredible resources and a razor-sharp sense of how to make language work." —Bethany Hughes, Columbia University MFA Fiction graduate
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Master's Degree Fellowship in English Literature
Certifications
- Copy Editing
- Substantive Editing
- Somatic Coaching
Work experience
Self-employed
Perform proofreading and copy editing.
Self-employed
Perform substantive, stylistic, and copy editing.
Self-employed
Performed developmental, substantive, and copy edits to manuscripts, primarily region-specific history books that required a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency.
Self-employed
My greatest passion is helping people translate those immaterial entities we call thoughts and feelings into the kind of words that strike a reader somewhere real.
I am the founder of a boutique, all-female company of editors and writers from across Canada presently based in Montreal, Quebec.
We work with driven female-identifying writers and authors to define and achieve their unique vision in words.
Personally, I'm most alive professionally when helping authors realize and refine their creative visions. I've worked and studied on three continents and accrued a first-class BA Hons in English literature from Swansea University in Wales, UK; an MA in English literature from the University of Victoria in BC, Canada; and a Copy Editing accreditation from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I have been an editor in one way or another for seven years, before which I was Head of English at an international high school in Abu Dhabi.
I am a proud and active member of the Editor's Association of Canada, and work with traditional and self-publishing houses as well as independent authors, entrepreneurs, and activists to shape and master their message.
FriesenPress
Managed team of over seventy international freelance editors to ensure high level of editorial excellence at all times. Acted as in-house editor for web content, marketing copy, large-scale client-facing correspondence and company guides and catalogues. Wrote and edited blog posts, press releases, guidebooks and resources. Created and implemented training materials to ensure excellent standards and proficiency.
Self-employed
Copyedited hundreds of entries for the Routledge Online Encyclopedia of Modernism.
Portfolio
Kate has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Kate S.
Apr, 2020
Lie L.
Aug, 2019
Shama J.
Jul, 2019
Verde A.
Jun, 2019
Assistant E.
Apr, 2019