Kim Halstead

Kim Halstead – Editor

I'm an experienced editor in all stages of text development, and I'm just as socially awkward as you are. Let's chat.

Overview

Hi there! I'm Kim. I've done a lot of writing and editing over my lifetime, beginning with my very first picture book titled "The Cat Climbed Up" at age 3 (the cat eventually fell back down but was unharmed). Since then, I've dedicated my life to words and people like me who love them.

I'm experienced in a variety of genres and stages of text development. Whether you're exploring for the moral quandaries of sci-fi or the will-they-won't-they of romance, I can help make your vision for your book your reality.

REVIEWS

"Having worked with Kim for a number of years, I can confidently state that she has consistently produced stellar editing. she has never missed a deadline. She maintains an open line of communication, and enthusiastically takes on new projects. She has more than earned her status as a vital member of my team." - Renee Rocco, Managing Director & Founder of Lyrical Press
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Dystopian Epic Fantasy Post-Apocalyptic Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • David Guterson Award for Fiction Writing at the University of Washington MFA Program
Certifications
  • MFA in Prose - University of Washington

Work experience

Simon & Schuster

Aug, 2014 — Present

• Proofread, copy edit, and cold read for fiction and nonfiction imprints under tight deadlines and multiple editors, including Scribner and Gallery imprints for New York Times bestselling authors

Lyrical Press

Aug, 2014 — Present

• Copy edit and proofread novella and novel-length manuscripts (20k-120k+ words) under multiple deadlines for Lyrical Press

University of Washington

Sep, 2015 — Jun, 2017 (over 1 year)

• Autonomously instructed students in freshman- and sophomore-level courses
• Courses taught include: Expository Writing, Introduction to Creative Writing

Portfolio

The Stray Spirit (The Lutesong Series Book 1)

Ashwick, R.K.

Surviving Ice: A Novel (The Burying Water Series)

K.A. Tucker

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.Ivy Lee, a talen... read more
A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic)

Alexandra Rushe

Welcome to Tandara, where gods are fickle, nightmares are real, and trolls make excellent bakers . . . Raine Stewart is convinced she’ll die young and alone in Alabama, the victim of a chronic, mysterious illness. Until a man in a shabby cloak steps out of her... read more
Kiss the Sky

MK Schiller

Love can move mountains . . . Strong, athletic, and driven, Tristan Sinclair is determined to fulfill his late brother’s wish to climb Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest mountain. He never expects part of the challenge will be getting along with one of ... read more
The Binding: A Novel

Nicholas Wolff

When a rare mental disorder begins to consume his small-town neighbors, a young psychiatrist digs up the past for clues to the epidemic’s bone-chilling source in this brilliant supernatural horror debut, written in the bestselling tradition of Peter Straub.Con... read more
Self-Portrait with Boy: A Novel

Rachel Lyon

A compulsively readable and electrifying debut about an ambitious young female artist who accidentally photographs a boy falling to his death—an image that could jumpstart her career, but would also devastate her most intimate friendship.Lu Rile is a relentles... read more
Promise to Keep: A Novel (Promise of Sunrise)

Elizabeth Byler Younts

World War II Marine Joe Garrison returns home from war longing to be a father to his deaf daughter, Daisy, only to find that she is attached to Esther Detweiler, the Amish woman who has raised her since his wife’s death in this touching historical romance.Orph... read more
Shooting for the Stars: A Gil Malloy Novel (The Gil Malloy Series)

R. G. Belsky

“I read it in two sittings.”—Sandra Brown, New York Times bestselling author "Smart, juicy...highly satisfying.” –Publishers Weekly “Belsky is a tantalizing, devilish, mesmerizing writer.”—Killer Nashville Following up his “engrossing journalistic thriller” (K... read more
The Pine Tar Game: The Kansas City Royals, the New York Yankees, and Baseball's Most Absurd and Entertaining Controversy

Filip Bondy

An award-winning veteran sportswriter who personally covered the Pine Tar Game looks back and explores one of the wackiest events in baseball history.On July 24, 1983, during the finale of a heated four-game series between the dynastic New York Yankees and sma... read more
The Orpheus Clock: The Search for My Family's Art Treasures Stolen by the Nazis

Simon Goodman

“An extraordinary piece of history...a fresh and lively read” (The Christian Science Monitor)—the passionate, gripping, true story of one man’s single-minded quest to reclaim his family’s art collection, stolen by the Nazis in World War II.Simon Goodman’s gran... read more
Black Lotus: A Woman's Search for Racial Identity

Sil Lai Abrams

A unique and exquisitely wrought story of one multiracial woman’s journey to discover and embrace herself in a family that sought to deny her black heritage, Sil Lai Abrams shares her story in Black Lotus: A Woman’s Search for Racial Identity—an account that w... read more

Kim has 34 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bob V.

Bob V.

Nov, 2024

This is my third collaboration with Kim. She has provided the highest quality proofread one each on my books. Her work is exceptional. She meets her deadlines. She is both easy to work with and a dedicated professional. When my next book is finished, I hope to work with Kim once again. I wouldn't want to work with anyone else. I highly recommend Kim for your next project. Five stars!
Bob V.

Bob V.

Oct, 2024

Kim is a true professional. She delivers a high quality result in the established time frame of the project. This is the 3rd time I've collaborated with Kim and when my 4th book is ready to publish, I plan to engage her once again. I wouldn't want to have anyone else proofread my books. Five stars all the way. Kim comes HIGHLY recommended.
Rebecca K.

Rebecca K.

Jul, 2024

Kim is the absolute greatest. She's thorough, straightforward, timely, and does an amazing job of catching all of my repeated words, inconsistencies, and grammar mistakes. I cannot recommend her enough!!
AJ G.

AJ G.

Jun, 2023

Kim offered a lower price than any other proofreader and communicated promptly and efficiently. She also completed the work on deadline and corrected all the misspellings of complex fantasy names, which I was glad for. The completed work contained about a dozen typos and a few inconsistencies in the Oxford comma. Unfortunately Kim was on vacation immediately after delivery so I was not able to...
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Bob V.

Bob V.

Jun, 2023

Kim is a pleasure to work with. First and foremost, she is very good at what she does. This is the second time I've been lucky enough to engage her on a project and as I'm writing a trilogy, Kim will be the first person I look to when I finish the third book. She is professional, warm, and responsive. She delivers the project on time, every time. My books are stronger because of her contributio...
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