Kelsy Thompson - Editor
A seasoned editor who works with publishers and indie authors alike, I guide and empower authors at every stage of their journey.
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Overview
Kelsy Thompson is a freelance writer and editor from Ogden, Utah. She has served as managing editor at distinguished literary journal Weber—The Contemporary West, acquisition editor for North Star Editions and its children’s imprints, Flux and Jolly Fish Press, and is currently a production editor at Erewhon Books. Additionally, she has worked as a freelance copy editor and proofreader for such publishers as Skyhorse, Shadow Mountain, Tule, and Sourcebooks.
Kelsy has edited everything from award-winning, traditionally published novels to passion projects. She specializes in young adult, new adult, fantasy, and romance, and loves working hand-in-hand with authors to make their manuscripts shine.
In addition to her extensive editorial experience, Kelsy also ghostwrites. She has written some of Radish Fiction’s most successful serials, and her ghostwritten works have been read by millions of readers all over the world.
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Fantasy
Romance
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Certifications
- ACES Certificate in Editing
Work experience
Production Editor
Erewhon Books
October, 2020
–
Present
(over 1 year)
Acquisition and Production Editor
North Star Editions
November, 2016
–
May, 2020
(over 3 years)
Judges queries and manuscript submissions for both Jolly Fish Press and Flux imprints. Writes proposal for manuscript acquisition and pitches acquisition to editorial board. Communicates with author and agent from contract offer through publication. Content edits, line edits, copy edits, and proofreads manuscript according to house style and the Chicago Manual of Style. Prepares manuscript for typesetter. Communicates with freelance copy editors and proofreaders through production process. Uses project management principles to meet production deadlines.
Editor
Self-employed
May, 2015
–
Present
(about 7 years)
Offers variety of services, including submission package critiques, manuscript critiques, developmental editing, copy editing, copy writing, ghost writing, mentoring, consultation, proofreading, typesetting, academic editing, and marketing/advertising content creation.
Editor
Jolly Fish Press
May, 2015
–
October, 2016
(over 1 year)
Judges queries and manuscript submissions. Communicates with author from contract offer through publication. Content edits, line edits, copy edits, and proofreads manuscript according to house style and the Chicago Manual of Style. Uses project management principles to meet production deadlines.
Managing Editor
Weber—The Contemporary West
April, 2015
–
March, 2017
(almost 2 years)
Manages and judges submissions. Manages subscriptions. Edits, designs, and formats the biannual journal release for publication. Communicates with authors on the status of their contributions. Manages journal finances. Manages student aides to ensure program requirements and project deadlines are met. Promotes journal through online directories, and academic library mailings. Manages, updates, and creates content for the journal website. Creates promotional materials such as ads, mailers, and fundraising letters.
Portfolio (54 selected works)
Seeking Mansfield
Kate Watson
"If you love heartfelt, emotional, romantic, witty stories ... you will love Watson's debut. It was beyond swoon worthy!" - Kasie West, author of By Your Side and Lucky in LoveSixteen-year-old Finley Price has perfected two things: how to direct a world-class production, and how to fly way, way under the radar. The only person who ever seems to notice Finley is her best friend and godparents' ... read more
Shoot the Moon
Kate Watson
"Smart writing, complex characters, and high stakes abound--this sharp, clever novel is both fast-paced and heartbreaking." - Brittany Cavallaro, #1 NYT Bestselling Author of The Charlotte Holmes series Despite what his brother and sponsor think, Tate isn't an addict. He has the 30-day chip to prove it. But when his father learns Tate's been running an illegal card room out of a friend's dorm ... read more
Things I'd Rather Do Than Die
Christine Hurley Deriso
Jade Fulton and Ethan Garrett are opposites in every sense of the word. Ethan is an all-American poster boy a star athlete dating the most popular girl in school and a devout Christian. Jade keeps mostly to herself. She abhors joining things, hates everyone at their high school except her best friend, Gia, and considers herself agnostic. When Ethan and Jade find themselves locked in an aerobic... read more
All the Wrong Chords
Christine Hurley Deriso
Scarlett Stiles is desperate for a change of scenery after her older brother, Liam, dies of a drug overdose. But spending the summer with her grandfather wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. Luckily, Scarlett finds something to keep her busy—a local rock band looking for a guitarist. Even though playing guitar has been hard since Liam died, Scarlett can’t pass on an opportunity like this, and ... read more
The Dog Walker's Diary
Kathryn Donahue
When jaded and overworked Los Angeles literary agent Daniel Ashe hires Annie Doherty, an Irish dog walker, he s simply looking for someone to care for his dogs so he can focus on landing a dream client and save his career. He certainly doesn't expect to come home each night to find Annie has left him a new and fantastical story about the secret lives of his dogs or that she s cast him, a man w... read more
Perils of Wrath
Elsie Park
Sir Roland Beaumont's investigation into his birth parents’ deaths leads him to Guildon Castle, domain of Lord Craven. Roland’s plans are complicated when the earl enlists him to tame his stepdaughter, Audrina Gibbons, by training her as a squire. Roland soon finds that Audrina―Audri―is much more than he imagined. Unable to save her mother from Craven's physical abuse, Audri’s open hostility f... read more
Fatal Green (Dimensions in Death)
The Brothers Washburn
In a desolate mining town, deep in the Mojave Desert, the struggle continues against unearthly predators straying across dimensional boundaries. At the forefront of the skirmish, teens Camm and Cal, have seen their feelings for each other deepen in spite of misguided efforts by federal agents to keep them apart. Cal has been arrested and the manhunt for Camm is expanding. Hoping to protect Cam... read more
Outrun the Wind
Elizabeth Tammi
The Huntresses of Artemis must obey two rules: never disobey the goddess, and never fall in love. After being rescued from a harrowing life as an Oracle of Delphi, Kahina is glad to be a part of the Hunt; living among a group of female warriors gives her a chance to reclaim her strength. But when a routine mission goes awry, Kahina breaks the first rule in order to save the legendary huntress ... read more
Consider (The Holo Series)
Kristy Acevedo
As if 17-year-old Alexandra Lucas' anxiety disorder isn't enough, mysterious holograms suddenly appear, heralding the end of the world. They bring an ultimatum: heed the warning and step through a portal-like vertex to safety, or stay and be destroyed by a comet that is on a collision course with Earth. The holograms,claiming to be humans from the future, bring the promise of safety. But witho... read more
Contribute (The Holo Series)
Kristy Acevedo
The holograms lied to everyone on Earth and only Alexandra Lucas knows the truth. Now she's trapped in the year 2359 without family or friends--worse, without her anxiety medication. Alex attempts to reconcile the marvelous scenery, technological advances, and luxurious living with the knowledge that the holograms weren't being completely honest--what else are they lying about? With a secret t... read more
Jerkbait
Mia Siegert
Even though they're identical, Tristan isn't close to his twin Robbie at alluntil Robbie tries to kill himself. Forced to share a room to prevent Robbie from hurting himself, the brothers begin to feel the weight of each other's lives on the ice, and off. Tristan starts seeing his twin not as a hockey star whose shadow Tristan can't escape, but a struggling gay teen terrified about coming out ... read more
When her five-year-old son passed the rigorous entrance exams to one of Japan's top private elementary schools, Makihara, a single mother, thought they were on their way. Taro would wear the historic dark blue uniform and learn alongside other little Einsteins while she basked in the glory of his high achievements with the other perfect moms. Together they would climb the rungs into the countr... read more
You want a revolution? So did Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers!America has fallen in love again with Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers. Here is a popping fresh collection of facts and forgotten trivia surrounding the American Revolution and our forefathers from those you’d expect (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Hamilton, of course) to those you ma... read more
Homesteading From Scratch is for people who want to do things differentlythe type of people who want to eat real food, grow herbs, make cheese, raise baby animals, hunt mushrooms, pick blackberries, unschool their children, can jelly, ferment kraut, farm organically, connect to nature, live intentionally, and more.Guiding readers from desire to full-blown off-the-grid livingand everything in... read more
Sea Glass Crafts: Find, Collect, & Craft More Than 20 Projects Using the Ocean's Treasures
Rebecca Ruger - Wightman
Sea glass is the beautiful result of broken glass being naturally polished and smoothed by the ocean’s currents for extended periods of time. These beautiful jewels become weathered and frosted from abrasion and erosion in salt water, giving them a distinctly beautiful, jewel-like appearance that is perfect for all sorts of crafting! Sea Glass Crafts includes twenty step-by-step projects for y... read more
Year of Lightning (The Time Shift Trilogy)
Ryan Dalton
When 15-year-old twins Malcolm and Valentine Gilbert moved to a new town, they never imagined that the old house across the street could bring them so much trouble. Inside the old house, a secret machine with the power to pierce time has reawakened. Meanwhile, lightning storms are breaking out all over town. They're getting worse every week, and seem to enjoy striking kids who just want to pas... read more
The Finger Trap (A Tony Flaner Mystery)
Johnny Worthen
Winner: League of Utah Writers, Diamond Quill With wit and humor, this modern mystery is a refreshing spin on the noir detective genre Tony Flaner is a malingering, part-time comedian who is full of sarcasm and never finished a thing in his life. He’s had 12 years to prepare for his divorce and didn’t. He had his entire life to choose a career and hasn’t. Now time’s up, and he’s in a world of ... read more
David (The Unseen)
Johnny Worthen
Eleanor survives, it is what she does. But at what cost? After learning her past and seeing the terrible and tragic history of her kind, Eleanor must conclude she is toxic, a cause of pain and destruction. For everyone's own good, she will disappear forever. But first, one last visit to Jamesford. Eleanor returns to find the little Wyoming town mourning for its lost child. The unremarkable gir... read more
One Truth, No Lie (The Niuhi Shark Saga) (Volume 3)
Lehua Parker
After jumping into the ocean at Piko Point, life will never be the same for fourteen-year-old Zader Kaonakai Westin, the adopted boy allergic to water. Zader’s answers to who his birth parents are only leave him with more questions. When confronted by The Man With Too Many Teeth, he’s given an ultimatum: take away what’s most important to his brother Jay and live in exile from his Hawaiian fam... read more
Songbyrd
Anna Silver
Living on the road with her mother, all she's ever really wanted is a normal, stable life in one place. Innocence is plagued by nightmares of a terrible event in her past, and the ever-growing fear that whatever she and her mother have been running from will finally catch up. In Stonetop, a small town in the Texas Hill Country, she meets Jace, a charming and sensitive guy but he's not the only... read more
Dreamless
Jenniffer Wardell
Sleeping Beauty never had troubles like this.For most princesses, a sleeping curse means a few inconvenient weeks unconscious and a happily-ever-after with their true love. Elena's curse, however, was designed without a cure, which means that she's getting a century-long nap for her 18th birthday whether she wants it or not. After years of study she's still no closer to finding a cure, even wi... read more
The Quiet You Carry
Nikki Barthelmess
Victoria Parker knew her dad's behavior toward her was a little unusual, but she convinced herself everything was fine—until she found herself locked out of the house at 3:00 a.m., surrounded by flashing police lights. Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her co... read more
Lovestruck
Kate Watson
Sixteen-year-old cupid-in-training Kali is in an Olympus-sized mountain of trouble. Rule number one in arrow-toting matchmaking: don't stick yourself. But accidents happen, and Kali instantly falls hard for her indie rock, bass-playing target, Benicio. The God of Love is going to kill her. Even if he is her dad. Being the daughter of Eros isn't all it's cracked up to be. For one thing, a girl ... read more
Outrun the Wind
Elizabeth Tammi
Quiet No More (The Quiet You Carry)
Barthelmess, Nikki
Across a Broken Shore
Amy Trueblood
Fragile Remedy
Ingrande Mora, Maria
The Knockout
Sajni Patel
Of Silver and Shadow
Gruenke, Jennifer
Sea of Kings
Hope, Melissa
Down with this Ship
Katie Kingman
Rise of the Red Hand (The Mechanists Book 1)
Chadha, Olivia
The Midnight Bargain
Polk, C. L.
The Vinyl Underground
Rufus, Rob
A Dragonbird in the Fern
Rueckert, Laura
A Spot of Trouble
Wilson, Teri
The Hidden King (The Coming of Áed)
Radcliff, E.G.
The Last Prince (The Coming of Áed)
Radcliff, E.G.
The One That Got Away (Hearts Are Wild)
Scolamiero, Marisa
Make It Sweet (Hearts Are Wild)
Scolamiero, Marisa
To Wrangle a Rancher (The Hollingsworth Sisters Book 1)
McKnight, Kelsey
To Rope a Bull Rider (The Hollingsworth Sisters Book 2)
McKnight, Kelsey
Coming Home to the Cowboy (Redemption Ranch Book 2)
Ryder, Megan
Falling in Puppy Love
Fischer, Sarah , McKnight, Kelsey
Every Time a Bell Rings
Ankrum, Barbara
Dangerous Water (Cape Cod Shore Book 3)
James, Charlee
Her Purrfect Match (Purrfect Pairs Book 1)
Neeley, Robyn
More Than a Cowboy (The Carmody Brothers Book 3)
Mayberry, Sarah
Kiss Me in the Summer
Dunlop, Barbara
Home Sweet Christmas
James, Charlee
The Cowboy's Vow (Rodeo Romeos Book 3)
Vale, Leah
Leashed (Hellhounds Book 2)
Desjarlais, Katja
Survival Knives: How to Choose and Use the Right Blade
Ayres, James Morgan
Kelsy has 24 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I hired Kelsy for both a Developmental Edit, and a Copy Edit. Kelsy was very helpful in the production of my book. She gave me detailed feedback and advice on how to develop my story and my character arcs. Her tips helped me to create a better storyline for not only my characters, but the readers as well. I'm grateful for her guidances and I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking to ...
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Roshuma Florence, March 2022
Kelsy was an absolute dream to work with. So much so that I have already booked her for my next project. What I loved most was how she genuinely seemed interested in the material and went in detail with her notes and comments. The edit letter was also detailed with pointers on how to make my writing stronger. She was professional, prompt, and just a joy to communicate with. I can't wait to work...
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Melissa Sercia, October 2021
As always, it was a pleasure to work with Ms. Thompson! She has a great eye for narrative arcs, and her feedback is both friendly and very useful.
E.G. Radcliff, June 2021
Kelsy has a uniquely artistic eye when it comes to developmental and line editing, the two services for which I hired her. She really knows how to shape the story so that it's deeply engaging without losing the author's intentions, and she's flexible in regards to different approaches to achieve the same well-polished end. I'd definitely work with her again!
E.G. Radcliff, July 2020
Kelsy was incredible to work with. There were several stories I completed but left in the back burner to get work done on a later date. I finally chose one and contacted Kelsy. Throughout our entire contract, Kelsy guided me through the writing process. She offered tools and tips to sharpen my skills as a beginner writer. Most importantly, Kelsy’s hard work was reflected in all her editing serv...
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Ryan Walker, June 2020
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