Overview
I'm an author, editor, and instructor specializing in speculative fiction. My parents were Trekkies before anyone coined that word, and they raised me on Asimov and Tolkien. I am geek to the core, y'all.
I have edited more than 80 books for more than 60 clients in my years as a freelance editor. Most of these are speculative fiction—that is, science fiction, fantasy, and their subgenres, including steampunk, cyberpunk, and all the other -punks. My own works include a collection of steampunk novellas and an inspirational fantasy novel.
In the Before Times, I frequently taught at writing conferences, and since things have opened back up, I’ve resumed teaching seminars for libraries and writing groups. I approach editing as instruction. My goal is to help writers take what I teach them in each edit and apply it to their future work so they continually improve.
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Client Testimonials:
I also want to thank Kristen, editor extraordinaire, who had the temerity to be honest with me! … Her earnest feedback and thoughtful suggestions made all kinds of difference.—Burke Speed
I was highly impressed with your editing of my book. It is my first edited book and it was a great experience. I did have a lot of errors and you went above and beyond.—Tina Cianci
Thank you also for all your kind words and encouragement. I know the series will be so much stronger for your insight.—Jeannette Jonic
Services
Fiction
Christian Fiction
Dystopian
Epic Fantasy
Space Opera
Steampunk
Time Travel
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (US)
Awards
- First Place, Excellence in Editing Award from Christian Editor Connection, for Alara's Call, 2018
- First Place, Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award, Published Fantasy, for Alara's Call, 2018
- Finalist, Realm Awards, Debut Novel and Fantasy Novel categories, for Alara's Call, 2018
Work experience
Self-employed
Mar, 2010 —
Present
I help writers realize their creative visions and reach readers by providing a full range of editorial services.
I have edited more than 80 books for more than 60 clients in my years as a freelance editor. Most of these were in the fantasy and science fiction genres, but I also edit other genres of fiction as well as nonfiction. In the Before Times, I frequently taught at writing conferences, including the Florida Writers Association Youth Conference for teens. I also teach seminars for libraries and writing groups
I have two traditionally-published full-length books, two self-published short works, and several anthology and magazine publication credits. I have also won several writing awards, including three first-place awards in the Florida Writer’s Association Royal Palm Literary Awards and the Excellence in Editing Award from Christian Editor Connection.
Orlando Business Journal
Oct, 1991 —
Dec, 2011
(about 20 years)
During my years in OBJ’s newsroom, I produced more than a thousand articles, columns, and opinion pieces. I copyedited articles for both the print edition and the website and did a lot of page design. I also wrote and recorded daily stock market reports for a local radio station. Before my transfer to the newsroom in 2001, I held a variety of roles at the paper, including graphic artist and advertising coordinator.
Havok
Jul, 2014 —
Dec, 2019
(over 5 years)
Havok is a magazine (now webzine) specializing in flash fiction. It publishes stories in multiple genres including, but not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, horror, and thriller.
Portfolio
On a space station far from Earth, animal liberationists inadvertently jeopardize thirty-eight innocent turkeys. The station’s cook, Stevens, ensures the fowl shall not have died in vain.In this short science fiction Christmas comedy, cultures clash, hearts ar... read more
An Austrian pastor finds it difficult to preach with Nazis in the pews, but since the Anschluss, he has no choice. When a Jewish family seeks his help, he willingly agrees, seeing it as a way to oppose the troops that have invaded Austria.He hides the family i... read more
The legendary White Buffalo Calf Woman said that when the last buffalo dies, the world will end. The zookeeper caring for the only remaining American Bison is about to see that prophecy fulfilled.Dr. John Hollow Horn is a veterinarian entrusted with the world’... read more
Art touches us. It speaks to the human spirit and inspires us to greater things. And what’s greater than love? In November’s Spark Magazine, you’ll find romance at the museum, ballet, and library. Sparks fly between a crystal maker and an apprentice. Opera reu... read more
For the second year in a row, Havok Magazine presents the world with a contest of epic proportions, forever settling the debate between the best of two genres. First, it was Steampunk vs. Cyberpunk, in a battle where the best story which determined the best ge... read more
In a future one thousand years from now, an echo of the Victorian past thrives. A future terraformed Venus sees our era of high technology as one of innumerable dangers. Dominated by the most advanced technological society on the planet, New Berlin, the nation... read more
A future Mars, one thousand years from now, which has collapsed back into a Medieval age--that's the backdrop for Tales of the Phoenix, three combined novellas set in the story world of Medieval Mars. Flight, Storm, and Battle take place in a future Mars that ... read more
A future terraformed Mars, where civilization crashed back into a Medieval Era. Christian Knights called “riders” patrol the Pilgrim Road from Olympus to New San Diego, on the Chryse Sea. The technological past is known as the “Age of Magic” and only a handful... read more
Tales are often told of heroes who fulfill ancient prophecies. Alara’s Call is the tale of a woman who gives new ones. Alara sees visions of other’s futures, but never her own.A young clergywoman with a fiery passion for her Telshan faith, she has been assigne... read more
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Book Coaching
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
If love is supposed to make everything better, why do things keep getting worse?The school’s new quarterback, Josh Faust, gets under Shree’s skin in ways that are both scary and exciting. His ... read more
Copy Editing
Are prophecies warnings or facts set in stone?Shree’s best friend Tanya can’t stop drawing beautifully detailed pictures of the future— pictures showing Shree and the rest of The League of Fre... read more
Copy Editing
Shree Mandvi thought she and her close friends—the Freaks—were the only ones with special powers, until she discovers that her long-missing uncle has the greatest gift of all: the ability to f... read more
Copy Editing
"Embrace your differences."That's what Shree Mandvi's father is always telling her. If only he knew just how different she really is. Being a teenage girl from the Bronx is not what makes Shre... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Many Americans think of the Religious Society of Friends—also known as Quakers—as passive individuals who avoid modern conflicts. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Brenda Walker Bead... read more
Developmental Editing
Eighty-year-old Jack Dozier stands barefoot on a chair with a rope around his neck when a call comes in from a woman claiming to be his granddaughter. Her mother, Helen Price, is searching for... read more
Copy Editing
From the creative imagination of Gregory James Gardner, Jr. comes a Western Genre Fantasy uniquely blended with Eastern Sanskrit Theater. A marvelous, feel-good, moving roller coaster of intri... read more
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Stunned by the loss of her father, Cassie and her family return to her mom's old hometown. As Y2K approaches, Cassie endures a new school and strange surroundings, but new friends make Frankli... read more
Editorial Assessment
There is no other nation in history that has experienced what Israel has. Throughout history, people and nations have tried to destroy the Jewish people. With anti-Semitism on the rise once mo... read more
Copy Editing
Everyone struggles with disappointment or discouragement in life at some point in time. But what do you do when it morphs into depression that is arresting and debilitating, perhaps to the poi... read more
Developmental Editing
This is a true story of one ordinary family’s struggle to persevere during WWII living in Germany. In their own words family members recall their adaption to a changing political, economic and... read more
Developmental Editing
The decision was irreversible. . .Vivien would become either the most remarkable female executive in the sports industry, or the biggest failure. Vivien Lee has spent her entire consulting car... read more
Developmental Editing
Lois Janeway rose from her aisle seat in row twenty-seven and reached up to the overhead storage for a carry-on suitcase. Her figure, outlined by her tight-fitting light green sweater over tan... read more
Editorial Assessment
Book Coaching
This book is intended to increase spiritual strength and awareness. It explains how to access the presence of God the Father through the Spirit of Christ which is found in deep and complete fo... read more
Developmental Editing
Those who have experienced abortion often feel alone and ashamed. Deserted by partners, condemned by the church, they need a safe place to recover. But they are not alone—many women have an ab... read more
Copy Editing
Wanted by the NYPD for assaulting police officers.Wanted by his lover for rescue from a fiend.Robert has been sent a personal message by the Owl, a serial-rapist who has been torture-killing w... read more
Copy Editing
Flying from the wilds of Manhattan.Caught in the web of the Amazon.Robert returns to Guatemala to find horrors raping its jungles.He and his mentor Guillermo, freedom fighter and medicine man,... read more
Copy Editing
A haven for myths and legends . . . until evil discovers a way in.With evil darkening the mountains to the north, the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island realm of Bellanok to the ... read more
Proofreading
James and Theobald arrive in Oxford University to study Theology. One is searching for evidence of his biological father, who mysteriously disappeared before he was born. The other finds himse... read more
Developmental Editing
Iknorlans is a town where everybody is perfect . . . but only if you take their word for it. The truth is Clergyman John Emerson has a dreadful secret that will rock his faith and wrench his s... read more
Editorial Assessment
“Let’s start a revolution. I want us to start a revolution. We need to start a revolution. I don’t mean an armed rebellion against the government or other forms of authority. I mean an intelle... read more
Copy Editing
Kara, Blake, and Wesley are American children who move to the jungles of Papua New Guinea with their missionary parents. They grow up in a tropical paradise where their nearest neighbors are a... read more
Copy Editing
Ex-Navy Seal Michael Quinn is called in by the CIA to investigate a key undercover operative's brutal murder. From the peaceful seaside town of Laguna Beach, the trail soon leads him across th... read more
Developmental Editing
This is a story about the differences between the world’s view of retirement and God’s view of retirement. For example, the world says store up your treasures for yourself, but the Bible says ... read more
Developmental Editing
Clinical Problem Solving: Case Management integrates innovative problem solving techniques with a case management approach to therapy. Guerra introduces the LIBRE Model (Listen-Identify-Brains... read more
Copy Editing
One day before her arranged marriage, Princess Glorya disappears – presumed assassinated by rebels opposed to peace between the warring nations. With a sixteen year old truce threatening to un... read more
Editorial Assessment
Senioritis, acne and rampant hormones have turned the odds against a 17 year-old ever graduating, getting a driver's license, or taking his dream girl to the prom. It does not help that he is ... read more
Copy Editing
The Financial Rescue Plan for Nonprofits addresses the financial issues facing the nonprofit organization in today’s challenging economy. The book contains background information that will be ... read more
Developmental Editing
Do you have an overwhelming desire to become extraordinary and to do great exploits for the Lord, instead of being an average, mundane Christian? As you read, you will discover that this book ... read more
Copy Editing
GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN THE 2015 ILLUMINATION AWARDS (for books with a Christian world view); FINALIST IN FOREWORD MAGAZINE'S INDIEFAB BOOK AWARDS."And did those feet in ancient time, walk upon E... read more
Developmental Editing
In a world that is crying out, "Look at me," or "This is who I am-deal with it," what are we to do as Christians? Follow the example of the world? Fit in? Clash and fight? The battle lines hav... read more
Copy Editing
Premise: A dead girl spawns multiple ghosts.Synopsis: The Ghosts Of Emily Gray follows Erin, the surviving identical twin of Emily who wastragically killed exactly one year ago. Multiple appar... read more
Developmental Editing
The most important fact about Ehla’s life has been hidden from her.Ehla is beautiful and intelligent, but she lives a sheltered life at her father’s estate in the mountains of Pakistan. Her qu... read more
Developmental Editing
Amal is a young woman just starting college. She hopes to get a degree in business and make her way in the world free of her parents’ socializing and scheming. But a chance encounter with the ... read more
Developmental Editing
Doctor by day.Vigilante by night.Robert lives a double life in New York City. He spends his days treating patients at the St. Jude’s Hospital ER and his nights going after the psychopaths who ... read more
Copy Editing
Kristen has 13 reviews
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Oct, 2024
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