Kim Smith

Kim Smith – Editor

I'm primarily a line/copy editor. My favourite genre is humorous sci-fi and fantasy.

Overview

I mainly work with Australian and British English authors but have done a number of US English projects. I focus on line/copy editing but often find an annotated manuscript appraisal (with Zoom discussions) can be beneficial if your MS is not quite ready for that final edit. If not engaging a proofreader, I offer a free final proof-check of your formatted book. Note: this is a check for problems like spacing errors and hyphenation issues only.


I am semi-retired and only work on one book project at a time to keep my headspace in your narrative.


I work across a number of genres as well as narrative non-fiction. My favourite is humorous sci-fi/fantasy. I also have experience with middle-grade children's fiction.


I work collaboratively with my authors and keep them regularly updated on progress. My authors enjoy working with me and find me very approachable. Maintaining author voice is key and I am not a prescriptivist editor.


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Kim is an amazing editor. The key thing about Kim, is that she'll do a phenomenal job while acknowledging, respecting and enhancing author voice. All her feedback is given with honesty AND compassion. You'll get real info, no beating around the bush, but also real solutions and kindness.

Elisse Hay- Foul is Fair


Kim has an excellent sense of composition, both for narration and dialoge. She's a stickler for grammar accuracy, her edits invariably improving clarity and flow. Kim caught inconsistencies in my story line that, while subtle, blemished the overall story. Her revision recommendations were well considered and clearly expressed.

Jim Giedraitis (writing as Kenneth James) – Dog Star Night


Kim did an awesome work. English is not my first language, but Kim brought my manuscript to a professional level. She also helped me see plot holes and details requiring further research. Anttimatti Pennanen – The Black Table series - Black Table, Unity, Catalyst.

Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Humor & Comedy Mystery & Crime New Adult Science Fiction Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • BA Communications (UTS)
  • Graduate Certificate Publishing and Editing (USQ)
  • IPEd professional member
  • CIEP professional member

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2016 — Present

Working with indie authors as a freelance editor to get their narratives to a professional, publishable standard.

Monash Postgraduate Association (MPA)

Jan, 2007 — Sep, 2016 (over 9 years)

Commission, edit and publish articles for student magazine. Edit website. Edit and produce all print publications for the organisation. Edit and produce newsletter and social media.

Allen & Unwin

Feb, 1989 — Jul, 1994 (over 5 years)

Print buyer, production controller and reprint editor.

Portfolio

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Black Table

Pennanen, Anttimatti

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
My little body enchantment

Russell, Tara

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Charlie and Halley Break the Story

Keandrick, R.K.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Traces of June

Dengate, Rebecca

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
The Last Line

Monash Writers Group

Copy Editing
The First Line: An Anthology

Group, Monash Writers

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Unprecedented Times

Group, Monash Writers

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Kim has 17 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daniel M.

Daniel M.

Mar, 2024

Kim is responsive and professional. Her collaborative approach was really helpful and ensured the work was completed in a thorough and efficient manner.
Kim S.
Thanks Daniel. I really enjoyed working with you, such a responsive author and so quick on your turnarounds with your manuscript after our Zoom sessions. Great world building and immersive charact...
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Ashly H.

Ashly H.

Feb, 2024

Kim was so kind and helpful. She gave me a lot of tools to help the flow of my story. Thank you so much Kim!!
Kim S.
It was lovely to meet you and so glad I could help.
Shae N.

Shae N.

Jan, 2024

You can tell that Kim has a great deal of passion for her work! She coached me in a one-on-one session, with a great deal of patience and good humour, and I walked away with tools to help me with my self edits moving forward! Will definitely be reaching out to Kim in the future!
Kim S.
Shae, It was great meeting you on Zoom and I’m so happy I was able to help you. I really do enjoy the educative aspects of my work that helps empower authors. I am looking forward to doing a copyed...
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Roy B.

Roy B.

Jan, 2024

Kim Smith is very passionate about her work! She made lots of helpful comments about my manuscript and I have incorporated them.
Kim S.
It was lovely working with you and you’ve done an excellent job on the retelling of a classic. Beautifully written. I wish you all the best, Kim
Tori T.

Tori T.

Dec, 2023

Kim is lovely! She really got involved with my project and had a personable approach. Her turnaround and responsiveness times were quick, even though we were in vastly different time zones. Kim is flexible and a good crack! I would recommend.
Kim S.
Tori, I loved working on your sample and really enjoyed our discussion about it. Your reworking of a section of the sample was certainly a lot stronger. I know the time difference is a pain, but I ...
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