Kelley Frodel - Editor
Fiction editor, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and young adult manuscripts, with experience in traditional and indie publishing.
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Overview
I am an editor with a background in creative writing. Along with my experience as an editor, I have also attended numerous writing workshops and roundtable critiques, so I know what it is like to get feedback on my own stories. When I approach another writer's manuscript, I do it with this in mind, knowing that every writer has their own voice and intent, and my goal as an editor is to make sure both of those are coming through clearly.
Editing and writing have always been true passions for me, and I love working with a manuscript from the nitty-gritty details to the overall big picture. I have a particular fondness for science fiction and fantasy, as well as young adult and middle grade stories. My experience includes proofreading, copyediting, line editing, and substantive editing across all genres of fiction, for both traditional publishers and self-publishing authors.
While every manuscript will require its own approach to editing, I have provided an estimated range of my rates below, based on a 75,000-word manuscript:
Proofreading: $775 to $1,000 (for manuscripts that already have a style sheet)
Copyediting: $1,200 to $1,700
Line Editing/Substantive Editing Combo: $1,800 to $2,750
Editorial Letter: $450 to $750
I am also happy to perform editing on the first fifty pages for any writer who is seeking traditional publishing and wants to polish up their sample to include in queries.
Editing and writing have always been true passions for me, and I love working with a manuscript from the nitty-gritty details to the overall big picture. I have a particular fondness for science fiction and fantasy, as well as young adult and middle grade stories. My experience includes proofreading, copyediting, line editing, and substantive editing across all genres of fiction, for both traditional publishers and self-publishing authors.
While every manuscript will require its own approach to editing, I have provided an estimated range of my rates below, based on a 75,000-word manuscript:
Proofreading: $775 to $1,000 (for manuscripts that already have a style sheet)
Copyediting: $1,200 to $1,700
Line Editing/Substantive Editing Combo: $1,800 to $2,750
Editorial Letter: $450 to $750
I am also happy to perform editing on the first fifty pages for any writer who is seeking traditional publishing and wants to polish up their sample to include in queries.
Services
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Fantasy
LGBTQ Fiction
Middle Grade
Middle Grade Fantasy
New Adult
Paranormal Romance
Science Fiction
Young Adult Fantasy
Certifications
- University of Washington Certificate in Editing
- University of Washington Bachelor's in English: Creative Writing
Work experience
Contract Editor
Self-employed
June, 2017
–
Present
(over 5 years)
Copyedit and proofread adult science fiction and fantasy manuscripts for the Orbit imprint of Hachette Book Group.
Contract Editor
Self-employed
May, 2018
–
Present
(almost 5 years)
Copyedit and proofread translated light novels for the Yen On imprint of Hachette Book Group.
Contract Editor
Self-employed
September, 2015
–
Present
(over 7 years)
Copyedit and proofread young adult and middle grade manuscripts for the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers imprint of Hachette Book Group.
Contract Editor
Self-employed
April, 2015
–
Present
(almost 8 years)
Proofread young adult and middle grade fiction manuscripts for Macmillan Children's.
Contract Editor
Self-employed
April, 2014
–
April, 2017
(about 3 years)
Provided copyediting and substantive editing across all genres of fiction for independent authors using a self-publishing platform.
Provided editorial letters with concise and courteous feedback on plot, character, and style.
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
April, 2014
–
Present
(almost 9 years)
Perform proofreading, copyediting, and substantive editing for self-publishing authors and traditional publishing clients.
Portfolio (26 selected works)
Jade City (The Green Bone Saga Book 1)
Fonda Lee
In this epic saga of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner* Aurora Award for Best Novel, winner* Nebula Award for Best Novel, nominee* Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, finalistJade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for -- a... read more
The Hod King (The Books of Babel)
Josiah Bancroft
Thomas Senlin and his crew of outcasts have been separated, and now they must face the dangers of the labyrinthine tower on their own in this third book in the word-of-mouth phenomenon fantasy series."One of my favorite books of all time." - Mark Lawrence on Senlin AscendsFearing an uprising, the Sphinx sends Senlin to investigate a plot that has taken hold in the ringdom of Pelphia. Alone in ... read more
Nightblood (The Frostblood Saga)
Elly Blake
The explosive finale of the New York Times bestselling Frostblood Saga, perfect for fans of Three Dark Crowns, Red Queen, and A Court of Thorns and Roses.Ruby's world has changed more than she ever could have imagined. She's in love with a powerful Frost King. She's the heir to the Fire Throne. And she may be a Nightblood--the spawn of a vengeful deity hellbent on releasing an imprisoned army ... read more
Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King)
Tricia Levenseller
The capable, confident, and occasionally ruthless heroine of Daughter of the Pirate King is back in this action-packed sequel that promises rousing high seas adventures and the perfect dash of magic.Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ... read more
The greatest dangers hide the brightest treasures in this bold, planet-hopping science fiction adventure series.The crew of the legendary Capricious are rich enough to retire in comfort for the rest of their days, but none of it matters if the galaxy is still in danger. Nilah and Boots, the ship's newest crew-members hear the word of a mysterious cult that may have links back to an ancient and... read more
Bad Luck (The Bad Books)
Pseudonymous Bosch
The plot thickens in this New York Times-bestselling sequel to Bad Magic--now in paperback!Some people have all the luck.Unfortunately, Clay isn't one of them: He's the only camper at Earth Ranch without a magical talent. As if feeling totally useless isn't enough, Clay has to figure out what to do about Brett, a castaway boy who has just washed ashore and is determined to keep his presence a ... read more
Sundered (Cambion novels Book 1)
Siana Wineland
A new breed of soulmates…Lexi feels blocked. She has for most of her life. Unable to let out the art inside her for months at a time, she drifts away from her childhood home waiting for something or someone to inspire her. Damian has spent centuries stuck with half a soul. Trapped as an incubus and bonded with a makeshift family of sundered, they hunt for each other to stay alive. He knows he'... read more
The Ink of Time
Nadine M. Roth
An explosion sends roughneck Otto Daniel’s body into icy Prudhoe Bay where he has an unsettling vision. After weeks of recovery in the burn unit of Fairbanks Regional Hospital, he heads northwest and takes a job in a small town in the wilds of Alaska. When tragedy strikes, Otto has that same eerie vision for the second time in his life.Alone again, Otto leaves Alaska for good and wanders the n... read more
Daughter of the Pirate King
Tricia Levenseller
There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for. Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has onl... read more
Finding You
Lydia Albano
Taken from home and family, all they have is each other: a young woman learns to rely on her inner strength in this suspenseful debut that celebrates the power of true love and never giving up.Isla is kidnapped from a train platform in broad daylight and thrust into a nightmare when she is sold to a sadistic aristocrat. Locked in a dungeon with a dozen other girls, Isla's only comfort is a loc... read more
Wild Beauty: A Novel
Anna-Marie McLemore
"No one does magical realism quite like McLemore, and this third novel, laced with slow-burning suspense, folklore, romance, and spun together with exquisite, luxuriant prose, proves it.,,, Sheer magic: fierce, bright, and blazing with possibility."— Booklist (starred) Love grows such strange things.Anna-Marie McLemore's debut novel The Weight of Feathers garnered fabulous reviews and was a fi... read more
Fireblood (The Frostblood Saga Book 2)
Elly Blake
In this action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Frostblood, Ruby must choose between her fiery homeland and the icy king who loves her.Against all odds, Ruby has defeated the villainous Frost King and melted his powerful throne. But the bloodthirsty Minax that was trapped inside is now haunting her kingdom and everyone she loves. The answers to its demise may lie to the south in... read more
Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha)
Tasha Suri
A nobleman's daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods. Empire of Sand is Tasha Suri's captivating, Mughal India-inspired debut fantasy.The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amr... read more
Arm of the Sphinx (The Books of Babel Book 2)
Josiah Bancroft
Senlin continues his ascent up the tower in the word-of-mouth phenomenon fantasy series about one man's dangerous journey through a labyrinthine world. "One of my favorite books of all time" - Mark Lawrence on Senlin AscendsThe Tower of Babel is proving to be as difficult to reenter as it was to break out of. Forced into a life of piracy, Senlin and his eclectic crew are struggling to survive ... read more
Senlin Ascends (The Books of Babel Book 1)
Josiah Bancroft
The first book in the word-of-mouth phenomenon debut fantasy series about one man's dangerous journey through a labyrinthine world. "One of my favorite books of all time" - Mark LawrenceThe Tower of Babel is the greatest marvel in the world. Immense as a mountain, the ancient Tower holds unnumbered ringdoms, warring and peaceful, stacked one on the other like the layers of a cake. It is a worl... read more
Surviving Adam Meade
Shannon Klare
Seventeen-year-old Claire Collins has a plan: get into college and leave North Carolina behind. What she doesn’t have is an idea for how to get rid of the local football star and womanizer extraordinaire—Adam Meade, who she can’t even avoid (despite many efforts), because Claire’s dad is the high school football coach.Seventeen-year-old Adam Meade never fails. He always gets what he wants . . ... read more
Beautiful and brutally honest, Mary Lambert's poetry is a beacon to anyone who's ever been knocked down—and picked themselves up again. In verse that deals with sexual assault, mental illness, and body acceptance, Ms. Lambert's Shame Is an Ocean I Swim Across emerges as an important new voice in poetry, providing strength and resilience even in the darkest of times.
Fake It Till You Break It
Jenn P. Nguyen
Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together. After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve had enough. Together, th... read more
Just Dreaming: The Silver Trilogy, Book 3
Kerstin Gier
The course of dream travel never did run smooth—at least, not in Liv Silver's experience. Able to visit other people's dreams (whether they want her to or not), Liv has solved mysteries, unearthed difficult truths, fought madmen, and escaped life-threatening peril, all from the comfort of her own bed. But Liv's troubles are just beginning...A rocky romance, a malicious blogger with a hidden id... read more
Dream On: The Silver Trilogy
Kerstin Gier
Things seem to be going well for Liv Silver: she's adjusting to her new home (and her new family) in London; she has a burgeoning romance with Henry Harper, one of the cutest boys in school; and the girl who's been turning her dreams into nightmares, Anabel, is now locked up. But serenity doesn't last for long. It seems that Liv's troubles are far from over--in fact, suddenly they're piling up... read more
Little & Lion
Brandy Colbert
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times} A Stonewall Book Award Winner! p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times} "Little and Lion is beautifully insightful, honest, and compassionate. Brandy's ability to find larger meaning in small moments is nothing short of dazzling."-Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything A stunning n... read more
The Ranger of Marzanna (The Goddess War Book 1)
Skovron, Jon
The Obsidian Tower (Rooks and Ruin Book 1)
Caruso, Melissa
The World Played Chess: A Novel
Dugoni, Robert
A Happy Catastrophe: A Novel
Dawson, Maddie
A Season of Sinister Dreams
Banghart, Tracy
Kelley has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I was delighted with the feedback provided by Kelley. Her review was exactly the feedback I needed to continue my project with very specific suggestions to improve the quality of my work. Thank you Kelley.
Belinda Henderson, May 2021
Reply from Kelley Frodel
Kelley was open and honest with me about what she believed my manuscript needed, and offered to approach it from an angle I hadn't considered. I appreciate her candor, and she did excellent work.
Jessica Goeken, May 2021
Kelley was very thorough and detailed with her revisions, offering specific suggestions on how to improve my manuscript. She handled my book with consideration and professionalism. I would definitely work with her again!
Alexia Schauer, November 2020
Reply from Kelley Frodel
I love working with Kelley. She is an incredible editor and her work is always top-notch. I'm so grateful to work with her on my series and can't wait to work with her again in the future!
Sophia Menesini, June 2020
Kelley's done a great job on multiple books for me. She even was able to complete this one substantially ahead of schedule. Her editing helps to ensure my books are the best they can be. Thanks!
Kathryn Hoff, March 2020
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