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 twelve 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.

My past titles include AMANAT, edited by Shelley Fairweather-Vega (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), BENGAL HOUND, by Rahad Abir (fiction, Georgia Author of the Year 2024), 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 Unrepentant: Short Stories

Aphrodite, Sharmini

Gaudy Boy LLC

The Apology

Han, Jimin

The Foley Artist: Stories

Siasoco, Ricco Villanueva

Made with Reedsy
How Not To Use AI: 50 Contrarian Principles for the Imagination Age

Awomosu, Abi

Data, Art & Soul

Made with Reedsy
Umma, at the Edge of Memory

Pak, Sunny

Lunchie Press

Made with Reedsy
Dandelion Crossing

Stanton, Christopher

Independently published

Made with Reedsy
Arc of the Universe

Alexander, Nikki

Strawberry Tree Books

Made with Reedsy
The Gales of Alexandria

Elgammal, Ehab

Escape Editions

Made with Reedsy
You Ate It

Baker, Jamie

Pepsini Publishing

Inhuman Trafficking: A Legal Thriller

Papantonio, Mike

Skyhorse

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 103 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Abi A.

Abi A.

Nov, 2025

Pinned
I came to her with a manuscript that was ambitious, contrarian, and structured in a very specific way. As an author, you often fear that an editor will try to flatten your voice or force your unique structure into a standard box. Kimberley did the exact opposite: she entered my world completely. ...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Hi Abi, thank you for such a lovely review! It was my pleasure to collaborate. Wishing you and the book the very best of luck. :) Kim
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 crea...
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
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 ...
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!
Mike H.

Mike H.

Apr, 2026

Working with Kim was a turning point for my auto-biographical leadership book. The editorial assessment gave me clear direction on what was working and where I needed to dig deeper, and the copy edit brought a level of polish I couldn’t have achieved on my own. She allowed me to think about my w...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you so much, Mike, it was my pleasure! Wishing you the very best of luck with the book. :) Kim
Teófila Matamis (.

Teófila Matamis (.

Jan, 2026

What an honor and delight it is to work with Kimberley, to whom I've entrusted the most confusing and chaotic versions of my drafts. She's guided me through to a mutually satisfying conclusion of my project's developmental edit. Moreover, as an editor she's communicated with curiosity, good hum...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you for the lovely review, Teofila! It was my pleasure. Looking forward to more collaborations in the future! :) Kim

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