Katie McKay

Katie McKay – Editor

Former literary agent with 6+ years experience developing and editing best-selling memoir and non-fiction titles

Overview

I'm a former literary agent & comedy agent with 6+ years working in the publishing industry. I've worked primarily in non-fiction on a range of literary memoir and entertainment titles with authors including Chris & Rosie Ramsey, Jenny Eclair, Phil Wang, Frank Skinner, Alex Horne, Marise Gaughan, Rob Auton and Matt Forde.


I pride myself in working closely with authors to develop their ideas, making sure they are sellable and well thought through and providing in depth editorial feedback at all stages of the editing process.


While this can be adapted on a project-by-project basis, I break down my services as:


- Developmental Proposal Edit: intended for earlier stages of book proposal development. I'll give feedback on your initial proposal and help you craft it into something that can be submitted to agents or publishers. I'll provide feedback and input into the idea itself or help you brainstorm your idea, propose structural elements and help craft your proposal so that it looks like one publishers are used to seeing


- Editorial Edit: intended for later stages with sample writing. I'll still do the work of the developmental proposal edit as needed as well as a line edit of your sample writing (not to be confused with a proofread - while I'll correct any grammatical/spelling errors as I see them, it will mainly be a redline markup focused on inconsistencies, areas that need improvement or clarity or suggested structural changes)


- Consultation: phone call or Zoom consultation to discuss the process of getting a book deal, including what the work of an agent is, what your contract terms mean, and what the process of writing the book will be from start to finish


I like to work closely with authors, having face-to-face meetings, Zoom calls or phone calls to discuss feedback rather than working exclusively in writing as I believe that garners the best results and ensures we are on the same page at each step.


My expertise is in memoir and non-fiction, though I'm happy to provide editorial support for some literary fiction as well.


Please don't hesitate to get in touch, looking forward to working with you on your next project!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment LGBTQ Non-Fiction Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Avalon Entertainment

Dec, 2015 — Jul, 2022 (over 6 years)

Represented a roster of clients in all aspects of their entertainment careers and provided profile-shaping career advice for a range of high-profile and up-and-coming talent.

Served as the company's literary agent, worked on range of Sunday Times bestsellers such as Chris & Rosie Ramsey's Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed., Jenny Eclair's Older & Wider and the two Taskmaster tie-in books and memoir books such as Phil Wang's Sidesplitter, Matt Forde's Politically Homeless and Marise Gaughan's Trouble.

Reedsy

Aug, 2022 — Present

Provide editorial services for authors

Katie has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Priscilla S.

Priscilla S.

Oct, 2023

Katie is simply the best. She is enormously helpful, thoughtful, thorough, and a joy to work with. I cannot express my gratitude for the good fortune to have Katie working with me on my book. I could not recommend her more highly.
Juliette D.

Juliette D.

May, 2023

Katie was a great editor to collaborate with. She was encouraging and gave great constructive feedback that has made my book proposal 100 times better. She clearly has tons of valuable experience and knowledge of the industry, and was able to answer all the questions I had about approaching agents. I would happily work with her again and recommend her to anyone else working on their book prop...
Read more
Katie M.
Thank you for such a lovely review! Best of luck with the proposal, looking forward to hearing how it goes!
2345 2.

2345 2.

Feb, 2023

Katie was excellent to work with! She went above and beyond to make sure my proposal was professionally done. I would recommend hiring Katie if you're serious about finding an agent and a publisher.
Katie M.
Thanks so much for your lovely review!

Professionals similar to Katie

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Wes Miller

Wes M.

Mystery/thriller/horror enthusiast and accomplished Executive Editor with 15 years' experience in the book industry. Keep me turning pages!

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Tom Seabrook

Tom S.

Experienced and sympathetic editor and packager of beautiful books. Lover of serial commas. Commissioning editor at Jawbone Press.

Westcliff-on-Sea, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Matt DeMazza

Matt D.

Friendly, easy to work with, tons of experience—and a stickler for details.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile