This is the getting-to-know-me page, so you can make some basic determinations before getting in touch. This may rule me out for you, or it may feel right. Every writer is different, and every writer has different needs and personality matches. Go with what fits for you, and either way, enjoy the website!
MY AREAS OF LITERARY SPECIALTY:
I don’t work with: horror, romance, “spiritual warfare”/angels & demons stories, explicit sex or gratuitous violence. Time does not permit me to give support as a research assistant/fact checker for historical projects. |
SERVICES I PROVIDE:
Click on your desired service for details on what it costs, when it’s useful and what to expect from it. |
My name is Cathi-Lyn, and I’ve been a published writer since 2004 and a freelance editor since 2006. I bring the compassion and understanding of a fellow writer to my editing work. I’m known as an exacting but tenderhearted word butler who keeps clients smiling through their revisions–if not outright laughing and spewing coffee on their computer screens. Hey, when you work as hard as you do to create a book, it should be fun.
I have a strong skillset in all areas of editing, from proofreading to substantive. I work with both CBA (religious) and ABA (general market) material, with a focus on content you wouldn’t be afraid to have your kid pick up accidentally. I believe in portraying the emotional impact of gritty reality without glamourizing it. And most of all, I’m committed to meaningful storytelling that contrasts life’s darkness with a strong dose of light.
Finding an audience is not a guaranteed prospect, but some things in the writing life are. Whether you end up choosing to self-publish, go with a niche publisher, or seek a fit within mainstream commercial publishing (whether CBA or ABA), it’s guaranteed you’ll need to tell a great story. I can help you with that.
More Info
- My work experience includes beginners to published authors; contractor services to magazine publishers, book publishers, and author publicity firms; and creative writing instruction.
- Areas I’ve worked in: acquisitions, substantive/line editing, copy/proofing, writing mentorship.
- My inbox is always open for general questions. Feel free to contact me.
Rates Comparison
Average editing rates for my sector of the publishing industry are available from the Christian Editors’ Network, and broader industry averages from the Editorial Freelancers’ Association.
You may wish to connect with other freelance editors through CEN’s matchmaking service. Every writer has a best fit, and searching carefully for it is a good idea.
How Does Hiring Work?
The top question I get is, “How do I hire you?” (Thank you, wonderful people who ask me that.)
Simply contact me with your manuscript’s word count to request placement in my work queue. Feel free to ask any questions you may have first. My inbox is always open to talk with you. I like to hear:
- Your genre and word count
- What you’d like support with–tell me about your headaches, concerns or craft questions
- Any other questions you may have
Once you are sure you want to hire me, I’ll ask you to send me your work as a Word .doc attachment. I’ll bill you based on the document’s word count and/or the service package you’ve requested, and assign your project a completion date. (Times may vary depending on how busy I am.) Email serves well as a contract for smaller hires, but I do have a standard contract available for your records. I use it consistently for larger projects, and it’s available for any type of hire.
All services are payable in advance, usually via PayPal. Upon receipt of payment, I’ll put your work into my queue of active projects.
