Achieve Your Book Publishing Goals
with Expert Editing
You have been writing forever, and your first draft (or maybe your fifth) is complete.
My name is Kathrese McKee,
and I have the tools, skills, and experience to help you
write your best novel now.
Respect for Your Work
You receive respect for your style and your story as we polish your manuscript together using checklists and rubrics and proven techniques.
Personalized Instruction
You receive personalized advice through recorded sessions, in addition to teaching brochures and tools to help you grow your skills.
Up-Front Pricing
You receive a carefully prepared estimate of work and a contract, and you can count on clear communications throughout your project.
Testimonials
Knowledgeable
Kathrese is knowledgeable and fun to work with. She not only found a plot hole in my suspense novel, but suggested a way to solve it. I appreciated her dedication to my story. She definitely improved it, and she’ll improve yours, too.
Mary L. Hamilton
Pendant
Organized
I’ve worked with Kathrese on three projects. Each time she amazed me with her ability to strengthen my prose, catch details I’ve missed, and enhance the impact of my stories while staying true to their heart. She’s also incredibly organized and thorough, so I can rest easy knowing my manuscripts are in such great hands. I would recommend her to any author who wants to produce a high-quality reader experience.
Kaylin Lee
The Destined Series
Professional
Kathrese is professional and thorough. She brings her experience to help you make your story better. She explains the reasoning behind her edits so that you grow in your writing craft. I recommend her work!
Tricia Mingerink
Beyond the Tales
Most Common Services
Substantive Editing
The Big Picture
Substantive editing concentrates on the big picture of a completed manuscript. Notes are provided to the author, but no changes are made directly to the manuscript.
See the Services page for more information.
Line Editing
Polishing and Pacing
Line editing is the polishing step. The major revisions are complete. This is a time-intensive process, and if your story is not ready, paying for a line edit is a huge waste of money. If your manuscript is complete, you may submit it for appraisal. If accepted, you will receive a free sample edit and an estimate.
Copy Editing
Fixing the Details
A copy edit should come after you make your last revisions following the line edit because new errors are introduced during the revision process. A copy edit focuses on eliminating the “PUGS”—errors in Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling.
If I agree that your manuscript is ready for copy editing, you will receive a free sample edit and estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been editing fiction professionally since 2014 in the following genres: urban and paranormal fantasy, fairytale retellings, dystopian and military science fiction, women’s fiction, and contemporary and historical romance. In the beginning, I received training through TheChristianPen.com; more recently, I became a Certified Three Story Editor for TheAuthorLife.com with training from J. Thorn. Please see my testimonials.
Some services are billed at an hourly rate; some are billed as a flat fee. Check the Services page for the best information.
I will not accept work until I am sure we are a good match because I do not want you to throw your money away or have a bad experience.
I do turn potential clients away, especially for genres I do not feel qualified to edit (like poetry or erotica.) Still, I have experience editing many genres because I am an avid fan of many genres.
Your manuscript MUST be complete before your project can be scheduled. This means you must be prepared to send me a full manuscript to review AFTER a free, virtual consultation and before you receive an estimate and a contract.
Let’s get acquainted. Download some resources and sign up for my weekly newsletter. Then schedule a free consultation call.
I look forward to hearing from you!
First, make sure your manuscript is complete.
Second, schedula a free, 15-minute consultation; we will meet via Zoom.
Third, if we agree to proceed, you will fill in the Project Information form I send to you and attach your manuscript.
since 2014
Editor, Author, and Teacher
Kathrese McKee is the brains and heart behind Writing Pursuits LLC. She has been editing fiction since 2014, ranging from urban and paranormal fantasy to dystopian science fiction, fairytale retellings to swoon-worthy romance.
She is an author too, with novels, novellas, short stories, and flash fiction to her credit. Kathrese is the host of the Writing Pursuits podcast and produces the Writing Pursuits Tips newsletter. Her knack for storytelling blends with her passion for helping writers build on their strengths and polish their work for publication.
Kathrese loves to teach principles of writing and business, and she is available for speaking engagements. Learn more about her books and services at KathreseMcKee.com.
