Sara Kelly - Editor
Flexible, fierce, efficient editor with decades of experience in editing everything from horror to science fiction to literary fiction.
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Overview
NOTE: I am currently completely booked through November. My earliest availability starts December 1, 2021 with a limited number of available openings for December.
My experience working for an educational publisher, in addition to my passion for editing a diverse array of genre fiction over the last fifteen years, has instilled in me a well-balanced approach of both analytical and creative editing. Fueled by too much caffeine, I will relentlessly pursue excellence to ensure your content is impeccable. Whether it's proofreading, copyediting, or more robust developmental editing and content development, let's work together to meet your goals. I love to think outside the box and frequently offer customized or hybrid solutions in order to meet each individual project's needs. I will always include a "reader's perspective" as part of my edit, no matter what service I provide, in order to offer you the insight you need.
Having had several short stories published in horror anthologies and a great deal of experience editing countless works within this genre, I consider it my primary specialty, along with speculative fiction at large. I also have a soft spot for poetry and comedy. I love a good monster story, dark or quirky tales, psychological thrillers, and I love stories that provide a reflection on the human condition.
I welcome new, emerging, and established writers alike. Staying true to your voice and vision, I will help your manuscript reach its full potential and provide you with the tools you need to develop and refine your craft.
Testimonials:
Sara is awesome: thorough, competent, friendly, and helpful. She doesn't underedit or overedit. I accepted nearly all her changes to my manuscript, something that almost never happens when I hire an editor. She knows what she's doing, and I ought to know because I'm a professional editor myself. Hire her.
--Michael Totten, Reedsy Client, Award-winning Journalist and Author of The Road to Fatima Gate and the Resurrection Trilogy (Resurrection: A Zombie Novel: Resurrection Book 1 now optioned for film)
I will only work with Sara. With her, you get a meticulous editor who scrutinizes every comma, period and space of your work. As this is my second book with her, she kept a reference of things from the first book to ensure continuity. She tracks every name, physical attribute and personality trait of your characters to make sure that your writing remains true to them. Nothing escapes her attention. She's respectful. Professional. You never feel stupid if she makes a correction. I have learned so much from her. Every suggestion is just that: an idea that will improve your vocabulary or phrasing, making it clearer. She is adamant that your voice remains intact. She's also available. If I have a question, even after our contract ends, she's always willing to help.
But what I prize most is the way she reacts to your story—as a reader. Each week, I rushed to open the edits to read what she wrote in the margin. She'd guess the direction of the plot and rejoice when a plot twist took her by surprise. And her praise filled me with joy. I highly recommend her. I've already started my third book and when I write, I have her in mind. Thank you, Sara, for making my books perfect.
--Lynn Fraser, Reedsy Client
Sara is a pure delight to work with - efficient, agile, responsive and so very kind. She knows her stuff and I know I've leveled up enormously as a writer just by having her insights. She is great at identifying particular weaknesses with suggestions to improve. Highly recommended and can't wait to work with Sara again!
--Dixon Reuel, Reedsy Client, finalist in The Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards
Sara was amazing. She was not only very professional and communicative in our back and forth, but she also seemed to actually care about my story. It felt like I really had someone on my side trying to make this the best it could be, rather than just paying someone to robotically do their job and wait to get paid. Also, her edits were spot on and greatly improved my story. I highly recommend Sara.
--Randy Walker, Reedsy Client
I have worked with Sara on two books now and both experiences have been wonderful. These were the second and third parts of a trilogy. She dug right in and read the first book, providing valuable feedback about it, before starting to work on book two. Her feedback and thoughtful questions helped me navigate some tricky passages, avoiding significant logic and other story pitfalls. This was a true collaboration. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an editorial partner for their work.
--Daniel Damkoehler, Reedsy Client
Sara was wonderful to work with. Besides her thorough editing, she provided constructive comments and gave thoughtful feedback. She kept in touch, was prompt to answer back, and even delivered a day before the deadline. I highly recommend her.
--A.M. Kherbash, Reedsy Client
I had Sara help me with a beta-read/final check of my dark fiction/soft, sci-fi novella and she was everything I was looking for in an editor. She communicated clearly and gave me places to take action on. She was thorough in checking notes and having a true discussion with me. Her critical thinking and analysis and professionalism are top notch.
--Roxana Hasanat, Reedsy Client
My experience working for an educational publisher, in addition to my passion for editing a diverse array of genre fiction over the last fifteen years, has instilled in me a well-balanced approach of both analytical and creative editing. Fueled by too much caffeine, I will relentlessly pursue excellence to ensure your content is impeccable. Whether it's proofreading, copyediting, or more robust developmental editing and content development, let's work together to meet your goals. I love to think outside the box and frequently offer customized or hybrid solutions in order to meet each individual project's needs. I will always include a "reader's perspective" as part of my edit, no matter what service I provide, in order to offer you the insight you need.
Having had several short stories published in horror anthologies and a great deal of experience editing countless works within this genre, I consider it my primary specialty, along with speculative fiction at large. I also have a soft spot for poetry and comedy. I love a good monster story, dark or quirky tales, psychological thrillers, and I love stories that provide a reflection on the human condition.
I welcome new, emerging, and established writers alike. Staying true to your voice and vision, I will help your manuscript reach its full potential and provide you with the tools you need to develop and refine your craft.
Testimonials:
Sara is awesome: thorough, competent, friendly, and helpful. She doesn't underedit or overedit. I accepted nearly all her changes to my manuscript, something that almost never happens when I hire an editor. She knows what she's doing, and I ought to know because I'm a professional editor myself. Hire her.
--Michael Totten, Reedsy Client, Award-winning Journalist and Author of The Road to Fatima Gate and the Resurrection Trilogy (Resurrection: A Zombie Novel: Resurrection Book 1 now optioned for film)
I will only work with Sara. With her, you get a meticulous editor who scrutinizes every comma, period and space of your work. As this is my second book with her, she kept a reference of things from the first book to ensure continuity. She tracks every name, physical attribute and personality trait of your characters to make sure that your writing remains true to them. Nothing escapes her attention. She's respectful. Professional. You never feel stupid if she makes a correction. I have learned so much from her. Every suggestion is just that: an idea that will improve your vocabulary or phrasing, making it clearer. She is adamant that your voice remains intact. She's also available. If I have a question, even after our contract ends, she's always willing to help.
But what I prize most is the way she reacts to your story—as a reader. Each week, I rushed to open the edits to read what she wrote in the margin. She'd guess the direction of the plot and rejoice when a plot twist took her by surprise. And her praise filled me with joy. I highly recommend her. I've already started my third book and when I write, I have her in mind. Thank you, Sara, for making my books perfect.
--Lynn Fraser, Reedsy Client
Sara is a pure delight to work with - efficient, agile, responsive and so very kind. She knows her stuff and I know I've leveled up enormously as a writer just by having her insights. She is great at identifying particular weaknesses with suggestions to improve. Highly recommended and can't wait to work with Sara again!
--Dixon Reuel, Reedsy Client, finalist in The Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards
Sara was amazing. She was not only very professional and communicative in our back and forth, but she also seemed to actually care about my story. It felt like I really had someone on my side trying to make this the best it could be, rather than just paying someone to robotically do their job and wait to get paid. Also, her edits were spot on and greatly improved my story. I highly recommend Sara.
--Randy Walker, Reedsy Client
I have worked with Sara on two books now and both experiences have been wonderful. These were the second and third parts of a trilogy. She dug right in and read the first book, providing valuable feedback about it, before starting to work on book two. Her feedback and thoughtful questions helped me navigate some tricky passages, avoiding significant logic and other story pitfalls. This was a true collaboration. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an editorial partner for their work.
--Daniel Damkoehler, Reedsy Client
Sara was wonderful to work with. Besides her thorough editing, she provided constructive comments and gave thoughtful feedback. She kept in touch, was prompt to answer back, and even delivered a day before the deadline. I highly recommend her.
--A.M. Kherbash, Reedsy Client
I had Sara help me with a beta-read/final check of my dark fiction/soft, sci-fi novella and she was everything I was looking for in an editor. She communicated clearly and gave me places to take action on. She was thorough in checking notes and having a true discussion with me. Her critical thinking and analysis and professionalism are top notch.
--Roxana Hasanat, Reedsy Client
When I needed a developmental edit on the novel I'm writing, I immediately thought of Sara. She has done an excellent job guiding me and answering my questions about characters, the main theme, and how to weave two stories together. Sara was very professional and gave me accurate price and time estimates for her work. I can highly recommend her as an editor who is conscientious and gives insightful comments.
--Mary Marchese, Author, What Really Happened to Steve Nathan
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Horror
Military Science Fiction
Paranormal Romance
Short Story
Time Travel
Urban Fantasy
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
October, 2018
–
Present
(about 3 years)
Editorial services include copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing, and line editing for emerging and established writers. I specialize in the genres of horror, sci-fi, urban fantasy, and literature. I also offer customized or hybrid solutions in order to meet each individual project's needs. Built-in “reader's perspective” feedback included in all services.
Manager of Vendor Manager Office
Ascend Learning
May, 2018
–
October, 2018
(5 months)
In my role as manager of the Vendor Management Office, I led a three-person team responsible for an integral function within the supply-chain management framework, liaising with internal stakeholders and with suppliers to drive the successful completion of all print products, while also advising on supplier-driven processes for all of the organization’s key initiatives and digital products.
Senior Vendor Manager
Ascend Learning
September, 2015
–
May, 2018
(over 2 years)
• Managed end-to-end products, including answering queries from the vendor, monitoring schedules, tracking key project milestones, reviewing sample materials, conducting milestone meetings at midpoint and postmortem stages, reporting weekly status to internal product team, and escalating any issues.
• Provided high-level oversight in customized E2E workflow for all CDX print projects during pre-production and production stages. Attended project-specific status calls and overarching strategy meetings as needed, acting as intermediary between other internal teams and CDX team to ensure overarching support for effective communication. Managed vendor relationship and maintained oversight of process improvements and workflows.
Production Editor
Jones & Bartlett Learning
April, 2010
–
September, 2015
(over 5 years)
• Provided project management for a variety of prominent Math and Computer Science titles, along with extensive experience working on Nursing, Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Health Science, and Public Health titles.
• Acted as vendor liaison between 30 production editors and six preferred composition vendors, including the daily tasks of assigning projects, mitigating issues, and refining documentation and processes.
Portfolio (23 selected works)
The Last City: A Zombie Novel (Resurrection Book 3)
Michael J. Totten
The stunning, final chapter in the Resurrection Trilogy The end has come. Seattle has burned to the ground. The Rocky Mountain West is as empty as a moonscape. But the eastern United States is teeming with the infected, with militias, with bandits . . . and worse. Annie Starling is still alive, though, and she carries a great and terrible secret. If she and her companions can make it all the w... read more
Four Weird Tales of Horror
Larry Nocella
FOR REASONS UNKNOWN AND UNKNOWABLE Authorities are calling it the American Dyatlov Pass incident. Four campers on an overnight hike fail to return. Only three bodies are found. Authorities piece together what happened using the latest in cell phone video enhancement and GPS tracking technology, but disturbing questions remain. A literary take on the "found footage" horror film genre! LUNATICS ... read more
Singularity Heights
Jay Solomon
Singularity Heights takes us to a future that feels simultaneously familiar and deeply strange. It’s a world where bots do all the work, everyone has profoundly personal relationships with their AI, even if their human relationships are quite shallow, and wealth is distributed through an unfair and cruel system designed to perpetuate vast inequality. The sickness in society came about so natur... read more
What Really Happened to Steve Nathan
Mary Marchese
Two half-siblings meet for the first time in Vietnam where their common father, Steve Nathan, died mysteriously at the end of the Vietnam War. Their search for truth leads them to other discoveries along the way. While going through her elderly mother's things, Lindsey Casselton discovers a photo of her mother in the arms of a stranger. The photo is dated nine months before Lindsey was born. T... read more
Out of Time
Ben Armstrong
Since he was 10, Daniel Williams has only ever experienced one dream. Nearly every night, he is transported to 1965. Not even being born yet, this year was not significant to him in any way. As time goes by, the dreams become less like a dream, and more like a reality. What do you do when your idea of reality is pushed to its limits? Daniel is living a life he doesn’t quite believe is real any... read more
Transport Unfriendly Skies
Robert Day
Ivan Volkov - pilot of the Avem Vecto. Originally owned one of the megalithic corporations. Ivan flew her for many years until the world turned to shit. He escaped with Avem Vecto before she could be scrapped. Taros Crosse, Ivan’s partner, and gunner of the Avem Vecto. A giant bull of a minotaur biped. If there’s a fight to be had, that’s where you’ll find him. The Avem Vecto. A large armed he... read more
The Squeamish Vampire
Saygo, Andrei
World War of the Dead
Eric Brown
As World War II rages across Europe, a bombing run awakens an ancient evil. It rises from the depths of darkness to bring Hell itself with it into the world of man. Armies of the dead claw their way out of their graves to eat the flesh of the living. Germany is overrun within days as the plague of the hungry dead spreads around the globe and not even the streets of America are safe. Three men,... read more
Acadia Event
M Preston
In 2012 and 2013, Author, M.J. Preston set out to run the world's longest Ice Road. Now he's returned with the much anticipated novel Acadia Event. Marty Croft's past has come back to haunt him. Faced with a threat by the psychopathic son of his former gangster boss, he has been forced into a heist that will take him literally to the top of the world.But this is the least of his worries. Becau... read more
Himmel-Welt (Galactic Outlaw Series) (Volume 1)
Kyle Carroll Newton
"Himmel-Welt has cutthroat pirates, bloody sword fights, and damsels in distress! Oh, and did I mention aliens? It has aliens." - Eric Chu, concept designer Battlestar Galactica Creatures from across the galaxy have boarded the airship, Himmel-Welt…they’ve taken people for galactic slave-trade…they’ve killed the rest. I’ve found the Kaiser’s daughter...alive. I can’t promise that I’ll be able ... read more
A Soldier's Allegiance (The Betrayer Series) (Volume 1)
Kyle Carroll Newton
Now affiliated with the Fisher House Foundation. A percentage of all profits will be given to that foundation. A dying country rises from the ashes of war. Aran Rabastre, leader of Rairal's elite, and a war hero amongst his brothers-in-arms, views himself as a disgrace. Dark secrets linger within him, crippling his daily life. While attempting to find peace in nature’s solitude, he is arrested... read more
Quantum Leadership:Creating Sustainable Value in Health Care
Tim Porter-O'Grady, Kathy Malloch
Quantum Leadership: Creating Sustainable Value in Health Care, Fifth Edition provides students with a solid overview and understanding of leadership in today's complex healthcare delivery system. The Fifth Edition discusses leadership within the context of a new understanding of complex adaptive systems and complex responsive processes. Rather than focus on the mechanics of operations and func... read more
2018 Nurse's Drug Handbook
Jones & Bartlett Learning
Jones & Bartlett Learning 2018 Nurse's Drug Handbook is the most up-to-date, practical, and easy-to-use nursing drug reference. Updated annually, it provides accurate and timely facts on hundreds of drugs from A-Z. Written in a no-nonsense style that speaks your language in terms you use every day, it offers concise and consistently formatted drug entries organized alphabetically.The 2018 Nurs... read more
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Dennis G. Zill
Modern and comprehensive, the new sixth edition of award-winning author, Dennis G. Zill's Advanced Engineering Mathematics is a compendium of topics that are most often covered in courses in engineering mathematics, and is extremely flexible to meet the unique needs of courses ranging from ordinary differential equations, to vector calculus, to partial differential equations. A key strength of... read more
Includes Access to Student Companion Website!Exploring Mathematics: Investigations with Functions is designed for one- or two- term mathematics courses for humanities and liberal arts majors. This unique ten-chapter text covers modern applications of mathematics in the liberal arts and situates the discipline within its rich and varied history. Exploring Mathematics draws on examples from the ... read more
Nursing Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Advanced Practice, Third Edition focuses on the historical background, knowledge and leadership skills necessary to improve the quality of health for both individuals and society. The text takes a comprehensive approach in addressing contemporary health issues faced by healthcare professionals across a variety of settings. The Third Edition has... read more
Financial Management for Nurse Managers: Merging the Heart with the Dollar
J. Michael Leger, Janne Dunham-Taylor
Awarded First Place in the 2017 AJN Book of the Year Awards in Nursing Management and Leadership!Financial Management for Nurse Managers: Merging the Heart with the Dollar, Fourth Edition is a unique text that addresses the financial management issues faced by nurse leaders in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory/outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and home care. W... read more
Professional Nursing Concepts: Competencies for Quality Leadership, Fourth Edition takes a patient-centered, traditional approach to the topic of nursing education.
Client Education: Theory and Practice
Mary A. Miller, Pamella Rae Stoeckel
Client Education: Theory and Practice, Third Edition teaches nursing students the important skills of patient education and health promotion. Using the Miller-Stoeckel Client Education Model as the organizing framework,this text emphasizes the importance of the Nurse-Client Relationship and focuses on the key role that nurses play in educating individuals, families and groups in clinical setti... read more
Even though Alexander decided not to replace all the humans with its parasites, simply coexisting with their constricting rules was not the life it wanted. It deserved more.After waking up from a 13-year hibernation, the alien parasite known as Alexander looked in a mirror and observed its masterfully sculpted, newly transformed human host–it was perfect. Now, this incubus could blend in seaml... read more
Kings of the Earth
Christopher Stanton
The lonely Michigan surfing town of Great Water has a long history of inexplicable occurrences. A shocking double murder and suicide there in 1918 still draws tourists who want to see the house where Jack Spivey went mad. But that is only the best-known event in a list of unsolved disappearances and visits by vengeful ghosts. In November 2000, three people try to survive the weekend when a blo... read more
Sara has 115 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This was my second collaboration with Sara and she did a fantastic job again! She pays attention to details, provides detailed feedback, and she's thorough. She delivers on time and provides regular updates, which I really appreciated. On top of that, she has a great attitude and it's pleasure to work with her. Thank you Sara!
EG McInnis, October 2021
Reply from Sara Kelly
Wonderful as always! Sara is amazing and would recommend her (and do on a regular basis ;) to everyone!
Brooke Losee, October 2021
Reply from Sara Kelly
On top of consistently top notch editing, Sara helps make my stories better. She's honest, direct, and tells me where they need improvements. I couldn't ask for anything better in an editor.
Matthew Brinkley, October 2021
Reply from Sara Kelly
Sara was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is extremely thorough in her editing; going through each and every line. She has improved my manuscript immensely and I have learnt so much! Would 100% recommend her and will definitely use her again for future books. Thanks again Sara :)
Alana Rodwell, October 2021
Reply from Sara Kelly
Sara was fantastic, professional, extremely informative, and detailed. She provided my novel much needed polish and was a great second pair of eyes. She was more than I expected as a first time author. I would definitely work with her again.
Thanks, Sara!
Ben Harris, October 2021
Reply from Sara Kelly
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