Kate Kennedy

Kate Kennedy – Editor

A dedicated editor of adult fiction and narrative nonfiction, I've spent 20+ years helping writers carve out and polish their stories.

Overview

A BIT ABOUT ME

I’m a book editor with two decades of experience. During that time I’ve had the great fortune of both editing and learning from some of Canada’s best-loved authors, working in-house (Gaspereau Press, Nimbus Publishing, and TouchWood Editions) and as a freelancer.


My portfolio includes a Giller Prize-winning novel (Johanna Skibsrud’s “The Sentimentalists”), as well as nominees and winners of many regional and national book awards, including the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-fiction, the BMO Winterset Award, the Atlantic Book Awards, and the Arthur Ellis Award for crime fiction.


HOW I CAN HELP

If you’re looking for a comprehensive, unbiased report on the strengths and weaknesses in a piece of writing you’ve taken as far as you can on your own, I offer an EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT that will help you find the shape of your narrative and give you a clear path forward for taking on big-picture revisions.


If you’re looking for on-the-page commentary and chapter by chapter structural feedback and ideas on narrative arc, character development, dialogue, and style, I offer DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING.


If you’ve had previous editorial input on your manuscript and are now looking to add polish, I offer COPY EDITING—a full sweep to address issues of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and stylistics.


AUTHOR & PUBLISHER TESTIMONIALS

"What I admire most about her editing of fiction is that she has that rare ability to see 'the big picture' while remaining attentive to the subtleties of detail and language ... I will always be grateful for her clear vision and the confidence with which she guided me toward an ending that felt satisfying and, in fact, far truer to my own vision and intentions." —Johanna Skibsrud (“The Sentimentalists,” winner of the Giller Prize)


"It's a rare treat to find an editor who both listens to what a text says, and hears instinctively how it might say it better. Who is, in other words, neither heavy handed nor merely acquiescent. I found Kate's editing as near as you could hope to that happy balance that leads, in the end, to a better book." —George Sipos (“The Geography of Arrival,” finalist for the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-fiction)


"Each book Kate has edited for us has come back a better book, and she’s quickly become my most trusted freelancer." —James Langer, Managing Editor, Breakwater Books


"Kate's ability to see what a text needs is second to none, and I can always depend on her to finish projects on time and on budget. Kate is a thoughtful, patient editor I trust with my most important projects." —Patrick Murphy, Managing Editor, Nimbus Publishing

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Arts, Mount Allison University

Work experience

TouchWood Editions

Jul, 2019 — May, 2024 (almost 5 years)

Self-employed

Jan, 2012 — Present
Since 2012 I have offered freelance editorial services to authors and publishers, specializing in fiction and narrative non-fiction (primarily memoir and history).

Nimbus Publishing

Jan, 2010 — Nov, 2011 (almost 2 years)

Gaspereau Press

Jul, 2003 — May, 2009 (almost 6 years)

Portfolio

Editorial Assessment
Bruise: A Novel

Markle, Adrian

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Naomi's Houses: A Memoir

Tennison, Rosalie I.

Heritage House

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
The Weather Diviner

Murphy, Elizabeth

Breakwater Books

Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
The Sentimentalists

Skibsrud, Johanna

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Some People's Children

Canning, Bridget

Developmental Editing
Saltbox Olive, The

Antle, Angela

Breakwater Books

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Vigil

Taylor, Susie

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Last Lullaby

Walsh, Alice

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Grist

Little, Linda

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
In the Wake: A Novel

Davison, Nicola

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Soft Serve

Graves, Allison

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
No One Knows about Us

Canning, Bridget

Developmental Editing

Kate has 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Arlis A.

Arlis A.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Kate was super pro. Did exactly what she said she would and answered any questions that I had. My book will definitely be the better because of her.
Mavis S.

Mavis S.

Oct, 2024

Pinned
I am a first time writer and I was petrified of sharing my work with anyone. Kate's professionalism has given me more confidence. I am so grateful for all the assistance and encouraging comments she provided me throughout the whole exercise of editing my work. Thank you Kate.
Robert T.

Robert T.

Sep, 2024

Pinned
Kate delivered all edits two days before scheduled. She is very professional, offers excellent comments, and I would recommend her to anyone seeking an experienced, and competent, copy editor. Robert Trudeau
Ed S.

Ed S.

Apr, 2025

Kate has done a very thorough and excellent job in her editorial assessment of my work. I am incredibly impressed with the many spot on suggestions that she has come up with, along with quite a few compliments as well. I am very grateful for her helping me make my memoir so much better! You cou...
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Steven M.

Steven M.

Dec, 2024

Kate gave a developmental review of my memoir about getting advanced cancer. In addition to praising parts that worked, she offered small and large improvements. Sometimes, those improvements were about sensitive topics, which happens with cancer and other trauma. Kate showed extraordinary grace ...
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