Katrina Diaz Arnold

Katrina Diaz Arnold – Editor

Experienced developmental and line editor, formerly of a Big Five publisher, who loves helping authors refine their work into its best self.

Overview

Hello! I am an experienced developmental and line editor with more than ten years of professional publishing experience, who loves nothing more than helping an aspiring author refine their work into the best, most vibrant version of itself.


I was previously part of the editorial team at Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, where I worked with numerous New York Times bestselling authors, before deciding to become a freelance editor. I now own and run my own editorial services company, bringing quality editing straight to aspiring and established authors alike.


My ideals as an editor are that quality comes above all, passion is a necessary ingredient, and fostering real partnerships with writers is essential for any work to succeed. I'm wholly devoted to any project I take on and deeply committed to helping manuscripts reach their highest potential.


I have a soft spot for brave new worlds, fresh plot twists, and strong, complex protagonists. I specialize in Fantasy, Romance (all subgenres), Romantic Fantasy, Thriller (especially Espionage), Suspense, Dystopian Fiction, Post-apocalyptic Fiction, Speculative Fiction, YA/NA Fantasy, and YA/NA Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic Fiction.


Passionate about books my entire life, I have a BA in Creative Writing from Northwestern University and a MA in Shakespeare from University College London.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Espionage Historical Romance Paranormal Romance Psychological Thriller Romantic Fantasy Technothriller Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Northwestern University: BA in English in Creative Writing
  • University College London: MA in Shakespeare

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2013 — Present
- Manages a team of independent contractors to complete various edits on manuscripts prior to publication - Personally specializes in developmental and line editing, editing manuscripts for big picture concerns like plot arc, character development, structure, pacing, believability, clarity, and writing style - Refines and strengthens manuscripts through extensive editorial assessments and in-depth line edits - Oversees copy edits and proofreads on manuscripts - Edits query letters, synopses, jacket copy, book descriptions, and more - Coaches writers through every step of the editorial process and on overall submission strategy or book publication - Runs all company business strategy and administration, including master scheduling

Scribner, Simon and Schuster

Jun, 2013 — Sep, 2015 (about 2 years)
- Edited New York Times bestselling and award-winning nonfiction and fiction books for structure, voice, and use of language by completing developmental, line, and copy edits - Wrote promotional copy, book copy, sales tip sheets, editorial letters, and more - Evaluated submissions for publication potential and researches competitive titles - Communicated with writers and agents on a daily basis as the first response to all requests - Managed projects from the onset through to publication, organized publication master schedules, monitored deadlines, payments, and contracts - Strategically solved urgent issues for an average of 20+ projects at any given time - Created original, promotional and/or shareable content for Twitter and Instagram - Supervised minute-taking for editorial meetings and trained all new editorial assistants

Self Employed

Jan, 2013 — Jun, 2013 (5 months)
- Consulted collegiate and postgraduate applicants on personal statements and essays - Wrote marketing copy, brochure copy, and website content for small businesses - Edited manuscripts through developmental edits

Thomson Reuters

Jul, 2012 — Sep, 2012 (2 months)
- Proofread, copyedited, and completed multiple proof checks using BSI Proofing Symbols for legal loose-leaf and book manuscripts from initial copy to the final press proof - Wrote filing instructions, edited checklists, and prepped texts for e-book transitioning

Chalke Authors/Endeavour Press

Nov, 2011 — Jul, 2012 (8 months)
- Copyedited, proofread, and formatted novellas and nonfiction essays for e-book publication - Wrote press releases, inquiry letters, and interview questions - Brainstormed, researched, and implemented two to four publicity campaigns per month

Browne and Miller Literary Associates

Mar, 2011 — Jun, 2011 (3 months)
- Reviewed several manuscripts per week and wrote reader's reports - Managed and responded to all office email and letter queries - Assembled potential proposals for evaluation every two weeks

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
For Whom the Belle Tolls

Lynn, Jaysea

S&S/Saga Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Dark Wine at Midnight (A Hill Vampire Novel)

Barwin, Jenna

Hidden Depths Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Dark Wine at Sunrise (A Hill Vampire Novel Book 2)

Barwin, Jenna

Hidden Depths Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Dark Wine at Death (A Hill Vampire Novel Book 4)

Barwin, Jenna

Hidden Depths Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Between the Shade and the Shadow

Alexander, Coleman

The Realmless, LLC

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Night Bloom (Night Bloom Saga Book 1)

Hunsaker, R.G.

Rachel Hunsaker

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Firian Rising (The Tanyuin Academy Series Book 1)

Stevens, Carly

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Immundus

Enquist, Christina

Odolf Mingan Publishing

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Crimson River (Civilands Book 1)

Austin, N.B.

Moore Bell Productions

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Ez Ozel: Prologue to Perdition

Oliver, Dave

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
300 Miles to Galveston (The Displacement Trilogy Book 1)

Wiedeman, R. L.

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Black Seed (Seed World Book 2)

Marshall, Kenneth

New Athenian

Editorial Assessment
The Last Nazi: a spy thriller (A Joe Johnson Thriller, Book 1)

Turpin, Andrew

The Write Direction Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Kremlin's Vote: a spy thriller (A Jayne Robinson Thriller, Book 1)

Turpin, Andrew

The Write Direction Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Biohack: A high-tech conspiracy thriller (Shadow Operatives Book 1)

Lasica, J.D.

Best of Indie Publishing

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Until I Met Her (Emma Fern, 1)

Barelli, Natalie

Thomas & Mercer

Editorial Assessment
Missing Molly

Barelli, Natalie

The Last Word

Developmental Editing
Woman of the Dead: A Novel

Aichner, Bernhard

Scribner

Editorial Assessment
Ghost Image (A Sophie Medina Mystery Book 2)

Crosby, Ellen

Severn House

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
One More Shot: A Caliza County Crime Novel

Laird, Richard

Buckhorn Press

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Crow's Gambit: Near Future Science Fiction (Sylphan Revelations Book 1)

Tebbe, P.A.

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Ulterior Motive

Coleston, Jack

Everlast Media Group

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Lady's Guide to Kiss A Rake

Wilde, Tanya

Developmental Editing
Yuletide Angels (Clan Grant Book 9)

Montclair, Keira

Keira Montclair

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Perks of Being a Duchess (Middleton Series Book 2)

Wilde, Tanya

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Give Your Heart a Rake: Misadventures of the Heart

Wilde, Tanya

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Once in a Blood Moon: Celebrating contributions of African American, First Nation People, indentured servants

Bonneau, Dorothea

Editorial Assessment
Waiting for December

Costello, Riley

Sullivan & Shea Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Waiting at Hayden's

Costello, Riley

Sullivan & Shea Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Crewmember

Volgyi, Marsha

eXtasy Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The Sample Sale Suicide

Verdell, Melanie

Mia Verde LLC

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Katrina has 28 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jaysea W.

Jaysea W.

Nov, 2024

Katrina was a phenomenal guide for both my developmental and line edits. She was always very communicative, clear, and understanding, and clearly cared about the work she did. I look forward to working with her again!
Jaysea W.

Jaysea W.

Jul, 2024

Katrina has been amazing to work with! As I am a first time author, she was beyond patient in helping me understand various options for editing, as well as wonderfully supportive throughout it all. She has a real passion for what she does, and provided thorough critiques and suggestions to help t...
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J.S. M.

J.S. M.

Jan, 2022

Katrina was willing to make adjustments to her delivery schedule as a result of changes in my travel schedule.
Michelle S.

Michelle S.

Oct, 2021

Katrina is a gifted editor. She gave me the needed content edit for my novel to help me see the big picture and she pointed out (with suggestions) plot, character and voice problems I have been struggling with for a long time. Her edits will guide me to the next stage in the process of completing...
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Kate E.

Kate E.

Dec, 2020

Katrina was really great! She gave me the feedback I needed to hear so that I could improve my style and help me strengthen my writing for the future. She's given me a lot to think about so that I can take action in my book.

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