Rebecca Klempner

Rebecca Klempner – Editor

As a developmental editor & copyeditor, my goal is to keep your text sounding like you...just sharper & more polished.

Overview

I come to editing as an author of five books, as well as numerous short stories, articles, and creative non-fiction. I specialize in both developmental editing and copyediting. Editing has its own unique pleasure; I love mentoring writers through their drafts, guiding them through revisions, and watching them react when they see their perfected projects in print.

My "top clients" are Ganit and Adir Levy, who created the Amazon Best-Selling "What Should Danny Do?" series, and I do have extensive experience with kidlit. However, I have worked with clients writing both fiction and memoir for adults, as well. I'm familiar with many genres of fiction: science fiction, fantasy, contemporary fiction, magic realism, literary novels. I do not handle erotica, Christian literatures, and the only sub-genre of romance I work with is the rom-com (which I love). I've handled clients who self-published as well as those who have sought traditional publishing contracts. I have extensive experience in Jewish publishing.

Some of my clients (and my husband) joke my profile picture should show me smiling, posed with a machete in hand because I practice "slash-and-burn" editing. While never cruel, I am firm when drastic cuts need to be made, scenes need to be rearranged, characters aren't believable, or the inner logic is lacking. I also like to point out a problem and then let you figure out the best way to fix it with just a little gentle guidance rather than using a heavy hand and fixing the problem myself. This minimizes the intrusion of my voice (as a writer) and makes sure your final draft contains what you intend, not what I think you should intend.

I don't like to take money from clients which would be better spent elsewhere. It's not uncommon for me to send a client off after our first meeting with a reading list to pick up from the library or some useful links they can use. Hopefully, this will spare them from paying me to teach them things they can learn on their own with just a bit of effort.

My ideal client is amenable to changing their text for the better, enjoys passing a draft back and forth for polishing, and always hires an outside proofreader for the final draft. I also like a client who maintains boundaries. I do not handle phone calls outside business hours, do not like personal questions, and will respect any limits you put on me, in return. I usually turn around work pretty quickly, but I do work from home and during COVID times, that means I have children home with me. Occasionally this means I will take a day off in the middle of the week. I do not work Friday afternoons or Saturdays.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Judaism
Fiction
Children's Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Magical Realism Romantic Comedy Science Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

The Jewish Home-LA

Feb, 2016 — Present

I copyedit only the local material unique to The Jewish Home's LA edition. Currently, the paper is on hiatus due to the COVID situation.

LAUSD Title I Private Schools Program

Sep, 2003 — Jun, 2004 (9 months)

Ran a computer lab and providing pull-out small-group tutoring for children in private schools.

Freelance

Nov, 2002 — Present

I have been freelancing as a writer and editor since 2002. I've published five books. My work has appeared in Tablet Magazine, The Wisdom Daily, The Layers Project Magazine, Kveller, The Jewish Press, Hamodia, The Jewish Home, and several other periodicals. I've handled editing for dozens of clients.

Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn/Torath Emeth Academy

Aug, 2002 — Jun, 2003 (10 months)

LAUSD

Nov, 1998 — Jun, 2002 (over 3 years)

I taught first Kindergarten, then First Grade while at 52nd St. ES.

Portfolio

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