Pete Kempshall

Pete Kempshall – Editor

I'm a professional writer and editor who specialises in speculative fiction (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal romance) and thrillers.

Overview

As a professional editor with almost 30 years in publishing, I have a keen eye for detail - I can spot everything from a dangling modifier that makes nonsense of a sentence to the kind of plot hole that could sink your novel without trace.


I've edited everything from comic books and novels to travel guides, and I have the versatility to take on any job where clarity and engagement are key. I am also adept at ensuring style remains consistent across book series, where maintaining the voice of the writer is vital.


I particularly enjoy working with writers of speculative fiction (horror, science fiction, thrillers, paranormal romance) but my skills in story structure, character development are transferable to any form of fiction. I have spent plenty of time working with horror writers in particular, as a founding member of the Australian Horror Writers' Association Critique Group and a judge for the Robert N Stephenson Flash Fiction & Short Story Competition.


I love discussing the shape of a story with a writer, and helping them find their way past the roadblocks and pitfalls of plotting. Sometimes it's a tweak here or a there, sometimes it opens up a whole new direction that the writer never considered... there's nothing I love more than seeing an author light up with excitement as they take a new development and run with it!


And you can rest assured I am familiar with the editing process from both sides of the fence. As a professional writer, I have penned magazine columns and features, movie and book reviews, short stories, comic strips, and video-game dialogue. My fiction has been professionally published in Australia, the UK and the US, and adapted for podcasts, while my magazine work has seen print across Australia and the UK.


My editing services include:


Manuscript assessment and development, structural editing, line editing and proofreading for both long-form writing and short stories.


Sub-editing (fact-checking, layout edits) for non-fiction work.


Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Comics & Graphic Novels Fantasy Horror Mystery & Crime Paranormal Romance Science Fiction
Non-Fiction
Travel
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Nominated as editor for Best Anthology (Scenes from the Second Storey) at the Aurealis, Ditmar and Australian Shadows awards 2011; winner of Best Western Australian Professional Short Written Work 2011
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), University College London

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2016 — Present

I'm a professional writer and editor who knows the value of a good story well told. I have a keen eye for detail, from hunting rogue apostrophes on websites to spotting plot holes in long-form fiction. If you've got the words, I've got the polish.

Portfolio

Scenes from the Second Storey

Warren, Kaaron

Morrigan Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Bloodlines

McGuire, Seanan

Ticonderoga Publications

Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
ZERO (Helix Book 10)

Farrugia, Nathan M

Anomaly Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Helix: Episode 9 (Countervail)

Farrugia, Nathan M

Anomaly Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Helix: Episode 8 (Kill Switch)

Farrugia, Nathan M

Anomaly Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Gwen

Goldie Goldbloom

Fremantle Press

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The Eternal Machine

Ryles, Carol

Myrtales Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Gutterbreed

Young, Marty

Eclectic Trio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Bitten: The Graced Series

Pillar, Amanda

Maatkare Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading

Pete has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Pete K.

Pete K.

Oct, 2024

Pete provided me with a very good line edit. I kept something like 90% of his proposed changes as they improved the flow without disrupting my voice. I would definitely use him again.

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