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I Polish. You Shine.
ANN KELLETT EDITING
About
Ann Kellett, PhD
I edit book manuscripts of all kinds:
- fiction (mainly romance and fantasy),
- nonfiction (mainly memoirs and family histories), and
- scholarly and academic work.
I first dreamed of a career helping people tell their stories at age six—on the day in 1969 when the astronauts landed on the moon—after hearing my grandparents tell stories about all they had seen in their long lives.
I have been an editor since 1988, and it's as fun today as it was way back then.
Services
Types of editing
I can provide all four types of editing, or just one--it's up to you.
Developmental and structural editing
Developmental editing focuses on the content—the themes and ideas—to ensure that the messages are cohesive and fully developed. Structural editing focuses on ensuring that every required element is present and in the right place.
I provided developmental and structural editing for Di Wang's Street Culture in Chengdu, published by Stanford University Press. It received the Urban History Association's 2005 Best Book in Non-North American Urban History Award.
Line editing
Line editing is a deep dive into the writing itself. It involves a line-by-line, page-by-page review of the writing tone, style, and word choice to ensure readability, clarity, and smooth transitions. This is where issues such as point of view, overused words or phrases, and overall flow and pacing are addressed. It also ensures adherence to style guidelines for issues such as hyphenation and capitalization, as well as making sure that details (such as the color of a character’s eyes) are consistent.
I provided initial line editing for the "Wounded," "Lobster Cove," and "Promise" series of romantic suspense novels by Mitzi Pool Bridges, published by The Wild Rose Press.
Copyediting
Copyediting is the process of correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, syntax, grammar, and so on.
Many clients choose copyediting only, and I have significant experience. In addition to working with individual authors, I am a part-time copyeditor with the romance and fantasy publisher Inklings Press.
How It Works
Process and cost
1. Free сonsultation
I offer a free, 15-minute Zoom or phone consultation with prospective clients. This gives us a chance to discuss your manuscript and editing needs, come up with ideas if you’re stuck, and (if you think I’m a good fit) decide how best to proceed.
2. Setting the price
I charge by the project. To calculate this, I edit a sample at no charge and determine the total cost based on the estimated time required. If you want to proceed, half the total is due before I begin, and the remainder is due before I send you the final draft.
3. Doing the work
Once we decide on the work, I make two thorough pass-throughs of your draft. You will get a version showing my suggested changes and comments, and a version with these changes in final form.
4. Review and final updates
After you have reviewed the final draft, I provide up to an hour's worth of additional updates to the text I edited.
Work Samples
Portfolio
The manuscripts Ann has supported include the following:
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Testimonials
What clients say
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"Ann is smart, kind, and generous--a joy to work with." Mitzi Pool Bridges
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"Ann helped me see the true theme of my memoir." Teri Metcalf
"Ann sees the big picture as well as the tiniest details." Di Wang