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 ten 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 voices (immigrant/transnational, 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 THE GLOVEMAKER (historical fiction, 2020 WWA Spur Awards and AML Awards finalists), THE EXPERIMENT OF THE TROPICS (poetry, 2020 Lambda Awards finalist), DEEPA'S SECRETS (cookbook, 2018 James Beard Book Awards winner), and ULIRÁT (translation anthology from the Philippines).

~
"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

Bengal Hound: A Novel

Abir, Rahad

The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change

Kim, Michelle MiJung

Flat: Reclaiming My Body from Breast Cancer

Guthrie, Catherine

Raising Boys to be Good Men: A Parent's Guide to Bringing up Happy Sons in a World Filled with Toxic Masculinity

Gouveia, Aaron

Amanat: Women’s Writing from Kazakhstan

Batayeva, Zaure

The Wrong End of the Table: A Mostly Comic Memoir of a Muslim Arab American Woman Just Trying to Fit in

Salman, Ayser

The Foley Artist: Stories

Siasoco, Ricco Villanueva

The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World

Granneman, Jenn

The Home for Wayward Girls: A Novel

Bradley, Marcia

Ulirát: Best Contemporary Stories in Translation from the Philippines

Muslim, Kristine Ong

Wiving: A Memoir of Loving then Leaving the Patriarchy

Myer, Caitlin

Alpha Bette

Manocherian, Jennifer Robbins

Ocean Spaces, Island Worlds: An Extraordinary Adventure of Discovery and Transformation

Farley, Christopher

The Black Cell (The Black Cell Series)

Shaia, Wendy

Snow at 5 PM: Translations of an Insignificant Japanese Poet

Koh, Jee Leong

The Glovemaker: A Novel

Weisgarber, Ann

Autobiography of Horse: A Poem

Park, Jenifer Sang Eun

The View from the Clinic: One Nurse's Journey in Abortion Care

D'Amato, Patrice

The Experiment of the Tropics: Poems

Ypil, Lawrence Lacambra

The Underachiever: Collected Stories 2000-2010

Stanton, Christopher

Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction: Breaking the Curse of Intergenerational Trauma as a Black Man in America

Ford, Reggie D

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
Cuban Flavor: Exploring the Island's Unique Places, People, and Cuisine

Gershman, Liza

Love Behind Bars : The True Story of an American Prisoner's Wife

Sinclair, Jodie

Mountain Lines: A Journey through the French Alps

Arlan, Jonathan

The Native Mexican Kitchen: A Journey into Cuisine, Culture, and Mezcal

Glueck, Rachel

The Skeptical Vegan: My Journey from Notorious Meat Eater to Tofu-Munching Vegan―A Survival Guide

Lindstrom, Eric C.

The Millennial's Guide to Changing the World: A New Generation's Handbook to Being Yourself and Living with Purpose

Sher, Alison Lea

The Irresistible Introvert: Harness the Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World

Chung, Michaela

The Mammoth Book of Halloween Stories: Terrifying Tales Set on the Scariest Night of the Year!

Jones, Stephen

Blues in the Dark: A Thriller

Benson, Raymond

Deepa's Secrets: Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine

Thomas, Deepa

The Secrets on Chicory Lane: A Novel

Benson, Raymond

Terrifying Tales to Tell at Night: 10 Scary Stories to Give You Nightmares!

Jones, Stephen

A Literary Tea Party: Blends and Treats for Alice, Bilbo, Dorothy, Jo, and Book Lovers Everywhere

Walsh, Alison

Kimberley has 80 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tom C.

Tom C.

Oct, 2023

I feel utterly fortunate to have had the chance to work with Kim. She is a true professional in every sense. She was timely in editing my manuscript, and what she delivered was well beyond the depth and detail I was hoping for. I could tell that she fully applied her skill and knowledge to understand what it was I was trying to accomplish and did not just skim and offer trite advice. Her sugges...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thanks so much, Tom! :) It was wonderful to collaborate; wishing you the very best with the next steps.
Lisa W.

Lisa W.

Oct, 2023

I’m thoroughly impressed with Kim’s talent, sensitivity and depth. She poked my memoir draft in all the right spots so that I could dig deeper. I’d hire her again in a heart beat.
Old S.

Old S.

Sep, 2023

Kimberly was enormously professional, insightful and timely with all matters. She was extremely accommodating regarding my circumstances, project goals and overall ideas for the project. With that being said, she also provided substantial feedback, excellent suggestions and invaluable editing. Thanks to her additions and insights, I've gone back over my work for a more comprehensive structure. ...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you, Old Sean! It was wonderful to collaborate. :) Wishing the book the very best of luck. Kim
Domale K.

Domale K.

Aug, 2023

Working with Kimberley was wonderful. She was thorough, clear with feedback, and offered important suggestions that improved my manuscript dramatically.
Kimberley L.
Thank you, Domale! It was great to work together--wishing you the very best with the manuscript! Kim
Sunny W.

Sunny W.

Aug, 2023

(I meant to write this review months ago, whoops!) This was my second time working with Kim, and I've never been more thrilled to work with such a kind, professional, and astute editor! I first worked with Kim three years ago and chose to contact her again for the same project, confident that she would deliver the same high quality of work that she did the first time. And lo and behold, she did...
Read more
Kimberley L.
Thank you, Sunny. :) My pleasure!! Looking forward to more collaborations in the future! Kim

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