Kimberley Lim

Kimberley Lim – Editor

Editor of literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with a focus in diverse/underrepresented voices that challenge the status quo.

Overview

I'm an editor with eleven years of experience, seven at a trade publisher. I've acquired and edited fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction (coming-of-age, diverse voices, women's), narrative/creative nonfiction (memoir), and self-help (psychology).


My interest and expertise is especially in diverse and underrepresented or marginalized voices (immigrant, transnational/international, BIPOC, and other minoritized writers) that tell a different story and challenge the status quo. It is my personal mission, as a Southeast Asian woman and immigrant, to help elevate these voices and support their presence in the market. I am fascinated by stories that break boundaries in defiance of established power norms, and I take pride in doing my part to help "midwife" these books in collaboration with the author.


My favorite part about the job is collaborating with authors through a dynamic editing process to synthesize good edits with the authentic voice and story that is already there. My goal is to challenge authors (where they need to be challenged) and point them toward possibilities they might have missed. I look for a responsive, mutually trusting relationship where everyone's opinions are respected and we are both invested in the direction the manuscript is going. In addition to developmental editing and copy editing services, I also offer diversity (a.k.a. sensitivity) reads.


My past titles include AMANAT (translation anthology, World Literature Today's Notable Translations of 2022), THE APOLOGY by Jimin Han (fiction, Los Angeles Times's 10 Books to Add to Your Reading List in August), and THE WAKE UP by Michelle MiJung Kim (self-help, 2022 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner).


~



"Near the end of the editing process, Kim highlighted a passage with a simple request to clarify. She had homed in on the one piece in my book where I was not completely honest with myself, the one remaining false note. This is the kind of careful insight a writer needs most. She approaches her work with a sense of purpose and respect, and—may I say it?—love. Kim was a champion of my idiosyncratic voice, and her keen attention was devoted to honing that voice until it shone. Because of her, I feel confident that my book is entering the world as its strongest self."

—Caitlin Myer, author of WIVING


“In my four decades as a published author, I have worked with many excellent editors. My three collaborations with Kim were among the most rewarding. Her insight and professionalism no doubt made my books better. Even veteran writers can learn new tricks from a great editor, and Kim is one I can’t recommend highly enough.”

—Raymond Benson, author of the James Bond continuation novels


“In my thirty years in the publishing industry, Kimberley has been once of the best editors I have ever worked with. It's not very often that you find someone who you instantly get on with and trust to suggest changes in your perceived-perfect project; however, I totally trust Kim, and would happily work with her any time.”

—Stephen Jones, horror and dark fantasy writer


Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Cultural & Ethnic Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Skyhorse Publishing

Jul, 2013 — Mar, 2020 (over 6 years)

• Managed a list of 15 titles per season from submission to press: acquired and pitched fiction and nonfiction titles, negotiated contract terms, conducted sales/market research, copyedited manuscripts, wrote metadata and copy, shepherded projects through production, and oversaw design processes. • Assisted publishing veterans Herman Graf (of Carroll and Graf) and Jeannette Seaver (of Arcade) with their titles. • Conducted publicity campaigns for fiction and nonfiction through email blasts and mailings.

Gaudy Boy

Apr, 2017 — Present

• Oversee all processes for Gaudy Boy titles: negotiate contracts, edit and prepare manuscripts for production, shepherd passes between production editor and designer, write metadata and copy, manage printing platforms, serve as liaison for authors, organize publicity efforts. • Manage roles and duties of interns, assistant editor, and assistant publicity director. • Assisted publisher with setting up the press: developed our mission, determined press structure and production schedule, built writer and media contacts.

Portfolio

The Apology

Han, Jimin

The Foley Artist: Stories

Siasoco, Ricco Villanueva

Made with Reedsy
Sky Full of Elephants: A Novel

Campbell, Cebo

Made with Reedsy
The Fear of Large and Small Nations

Agabian, Nancy

Made with Reedsy
Hidden Lives of Women in STEM

Rodriguez, Lori

Made with Reedsy
To Be Amina: A Novel

Diallo, Aisha Lelouma

Made with Reedsy
Perlie

Jay Kasperbauer

When the hungry stumble upon a wellspring of profit, they risk greed. And money tempts anyone with an appetite. Perlie, a scrutinized Black man struggling with identity and reestablishment after a brief prison sentence, finds a job as a mechanic. The garage’s ... read more
Made with Reedsy
The Underachiever: Collected Stories 2000-2010

Stanton, Christopher

Made with Reedsy
The Black Cell (The Black Cell Series)

Shaia, Wendy

Alpha Bette

Manocherian, Jennifer Robbins

Autobiography of Horse: A Poem

Park, Jenifer Sang Eun

Kimberley has 90 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Sunny P.

Sunny P.

Dec, 2022

Pinned
I'm completely blown away by the level of detail, attention, precision, and care Kim showed for my manuscript. I was very concerned the various narrative arcs in my 108K word book would overwhelm her with information that didn't make sense, but she dissected my thoughts and organized hers to create the most eloquent, articulate edit letter to help me improve it. This impeccably written 19-page ...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you for the lovely review, Sunny. It was a joy and my honor to collaborate with you--I'm looking forward to more! :) Best, Kim
Heidi Kay C.

Heidi Kay C.

Jul, 2022

Pinned
I knew as a first-time novelist I needed a developmental edit, but I didn’t know what that entailed. The many other glowing reviews of Kim's work gave me confidence in choosing her for this project, and Kim's deliverables exceeded my expectations. My first reaction to Kim's detailed comments was giddiness that someone understood what I was trying to communicate, even better than I did myself,...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thanks so much for the long and lovely review, Heidi. :) It was wonderful to collaborate with you--looking forward to more in the future! Kim
Michelle S.

Michelle S.

Dec, 2021

Pinned
I was blown away by Kimberley Lim's editorial brilliance, professionalism, and raw insight. Every concern I had about my MS---which I kept to myself---she addressed in her feedback. She offered both specific details and a general overview of how the MS could be improved, and she was spot on. She gently nudged me to push certain themes further by digging deeper, but she also clearly stated when ...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you, Michelle. :) It was my honor and pleasure to help you get your story told! Wishing you and the book the very best of luck!
Sara Maria H.

Sara Maria H.

Oct, 2024

Kimberley left very thoughtful and actionable comments while editing my short story. I'm impressed by her ability to digest the material and envision so many potential pathways towards a more successful manuscript! I'm looking forward to working with her more in the future.
Kimberley L.
Thank you, Sara! It was my pleasure. Absolutely, I'm looking forward to future collaborations. :) Kim
Tom S.

Tom S.

Aug, 2024

I have given Kim a five-star review and wanted to add one final comment about her kindness. While collaborations can be professional, not all are done with the kind touch Kim showed. Highly recommend her!
Kimberley L.
Thanks so much, Tom. It was a pleasure working with you--wishing you the very best of luck with the book! :) Kim

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