Reviews (68)

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Reviews (68)

Overview

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

My interest and expertise is especially in diverse and underrepresented voices (immigrant/transnational, BIPOC, and other minoritized writers) that tell a different story and challenge the status quo. It is a personal mission of mine, 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 experts of these stories—the author!

My past titles include THE GLOVEMAKER (historical fiction, 2020 WWA Spur Awards and AML Awards finalists), THE EXPERIMENT OF THE TROPICS (poetry, 2020 Lambda Awards finalist), and DEEPA'S SECRETS (cookbook, 2018 James Beard Book Awards winner). I've also worked on multiple projects with authors like Raymond Benson, author of the James Bond continuation novels, as well as Stephen Jones,horror and dark fantasy writer and editor of more than 140 books, including the Mammoth anthologies.

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 in the direction of 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.

“In my four decades as a published author, I have worked with many excellent editors. My three collaborations with Kim Lim 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 SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE and the James Bond continuation novels

“In my thirty years in the publishing industry, Kimberley Lim has been once of the best editors I have ever worked with. Her creativity and attention to detail on a number of books we have worked on together has not only improved the work, but has also made me look better! 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, award-winning horror and dark fantasy writer and editor of more than 140 books

"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

Services

Developmental Editing

Languages

English (UK)

English (US)

Non-Fiction

Biographies & Memoirs

Self-Help & Self-Improvement

Fiction

Contemporary Fiction

Cultural & Ethnic

Literary Fiction

Women's Fiction

Editor

Skyhorse Publishing

July, 2013 – March, 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.

Managing Editor

Gaudy Boy

April, 2017 – Present (almost 6 years)

• 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.

The Glovemaker: A Novel

Weisgarber, Ann

The Foley Artist: Stories

Siasoco, Ricco Villanueva

Ulirát: Best Contemporary Stories in Translation from the Philippines

Muslim, Kristine Ong, Bengan, John, Delgado, Daryll, Acuña, Tilde, Mendoza III, Amado Anthony G.

Autobiography of Horse: A Poem

Park, Jenifer Sang Eun

Amanat: Women’s Writing from Kazakhstan

Batayeva, Zaure, Batayeva, Zaure, Fairweather-Vega, Shelley

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 owner, a breezy gambler named Freddie, is trying to climb out of a hole of his own. But things aren’t always smooth within the jazz-echo... read more

The Experiment of the Tropics: Poems

Ypil, Lawrence Lacambra

Professionalism

Professionalism

Quality

Quality

Value

Value

Communication & Punctuality

Communication & Punctuality

I have never used a developmental editor before, and I didn't know what to expect when I hired Kim to work on my manuscript. I would just like to let everyone know that working with her was a fantastic experience. Her attention to detail, and ability to see the overall big-picture of my manuscript and suggest the necessary remedies for the issues in the story blew me away. There were some probl...

Dave Hsu, January 2023

Thanks for the lovely review,, Dave. It was my pleasure. Wishing you the best of luck--and here's to the next collaboration! Kim

Reply from Kimberley Lim

Once again, Kim has blown me away with her quality of work. This was my second time collaborating with her and she continued to treat my work as her own, challenged me to explore new ideas, and helped flourish the potential of my work. Look no further for your editing needs!

Irvin Ventura, January 2023

Amazing editor! Kimberley provides not only great line edits, but probing comments and questions to push for clarity and decisions about what to share. Overall, she made my manuscript more lucid, cleaner --stronger!

M Neel, January 2023

Thank you, M! It was my pleasure to be part of the project--looking forward to more. Kim

Reply from Kimberley Lim

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 ...

Sunny Pak, December 2022

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

Reply from Kimberley Lim

I am blown away by Kim's attention to detail, professionalism, and turnaround time in her line edits! She spent considerable effort preparing a customized Style Sheet for me, provided detailed edits and feedback on my stories, and made all sorts of connections between the stories in a way that made it clear she read the pieces for content and style. She was a member of the revision team, not ju...

Maha Kamal, September 2022

Thanks so much, Maha. It was my pleasure working with you! I very much look forward to more. :)

Reply from Kimberley Lim