Turnaround is currently 3-5 business days.
I'm Dr. Kirkpatrick, and for over 20 years, I've had the pleasure of being an editor of biographies, autobiographies and memoirs.
I've mentored over 100 published authors of nonfiction books, novels and short stories now happily selling their works. Since 1999, I've evaluated and edited 180+ manuscripts, allowing me the privilege to work with authors to help them improve their manuscripts and feel proud to publish their work. With referrals on their behalf, many of these authors have gone on to be published in the mainstream. I want to see you and your books succeed! Please have a look at the information below and write to me when you're ready.
Don't struggle through another draft!
Use
the contact form or
email your first chapter (ten pages of text or more) and ask for a sample. I will illustrate my precision proofreading, editing and print formatting of your work right now. I will choose a section and provide you with a revision of your writing within 48 hours or so.
What You Can Expect From Me
I provide the following:
- collaboration with you in a mentoring capacity with creative ideas;
- help navigating the publishing industry to determine whether traditional, small, or self-publishing is best for you;
- a detailed written evaluation of your manuscript asking questions, pointing out incongruencies, muddled timelines, issues with characterization, and other problems in the project, to guide you as you rework your manuscript;
- a hands-on copyedit and structural/stylistic edit doing everything necessary to get your manuscript ready for an agent, a self-publishing company, a traditional publisher, or ready for submission to an e-publisher. In addition to copyediting for spelling, grammar, repetitive words or phrases, and punctuation, I offer substantive editing (also called line editing), which is a more detailed work-through of a manuscript including evaluation for continuity, characterization, pacing, point of view, showing vs. telling and similar big-picture issues without the full immersion that goes with developmental editing;
- notations of what I believe you've done particularly well;
- indication of anything I believe would make a publisher or agent more likely to reject your manuscript or that would prevent it from being ready for independent publishing; and
- help with a query and/or synopsis when the manuscript is ready for publication.
In the links provided here, you can find more information about the company I work for, including: the mechanics of what I do, more information about our services, and the details of our our terms and conditions.
Editing requires an investment of time and effort in the manuscript. As a biography/memoir editor, I work with both traditional authors and independent authors to help polish their manuscripts. I am hands-on in my editing. I offer content editing with commentary line-editing, submission help, and career consulting. Whether for stand-alone titles or a series, I focus on consistency, accuracy, and clarity, so that authors can successfully connect with their readers while avoiding awkward missteps. I diligently work through a manuscript, checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and style; tracking character traits and the timeline; confirming proper names, dates, places, and other technical or historical elements; noting any issues that may lead a reader to question something. As an editor, I view manuscripts with a comprehensive vision and an eye for detail and believability. I see the big picture and have an in-depth knowledge of today's publishing market. My expertise includes managing features of your work such as extricating clichés, redundancies, wordiness, staleness and vague generalizations.
Gaining a Target Memoir Audience
Location: There are always people in your city and area who are interested in local authors. If it is different from where you currently live, you can write for people who live in the setting of your memoir. Also, you can reach out to people in cities of similar size and area of the country. For example, if your book is written about the Midwest, then people from the Midwest would be interested in your work.
Topic: Identify the primary topic in your book. People who share your interests and experiences will read your book. Maybe your memoir is about a historical period. Perhaps it focuses on a specific time in your life, such as your childhood or experiences parenting, or it's a memoir that focuses on your career or a hobby. The topic will determine the members of your audience.
Theme: Your memoir can reach a broader audience when it also contains themes that people can relate to, such as coming of age, betrayal, love, struggle for equality, and loss. First, focus on your primary audience, but also keep in mind success in a broader market.
I wanna thank you a for this. Felt not only edited, but "heard." I am pursuing the publishing. I'd be delighted if you could help with book two when I've done an edit myself.
-Jane
Thank you kindly for your help with my memoir. I have been dragging my feet on this for month. Just not sure of myself. You made it so easy.
Brigitte
Thanks a ton for the fantastic biography editing. Honestly, I must say you have exceeded my expectations. The changes improve the book and yet retain the original feel of my writing. Rest assured once I am done writing my next book, I will have you edit, proofread.
-Starlette
You put everything into this book. It looks terrific. The book is so much better now. You've always been able to edit precisely and alter my stories to best convey the heart of my writing. You guys really do great work.
-Amira
Whew you have been busssy! Thank you so much for working on this so quickly!! I really appreciate you. I will make the corrections and let you know how I come out. :)
Thanks again!
-Inez
Swift and thorough proofreading and copyediting of my book. The comments and revisions led to my most significant revision. I now have a smooth, flowing biography. If I could say one thing about WordSharp, it would be that I highly recommend your services. Very patient. Tremendously helpful suggestions and restated phrases much better.
-Macie
I value WordSharp and the superior service provided. Their people are always a pleasure. I am so happy with my book proofreading. Your editors are manuscript angels. My memoir will be out in July of next year.
-Raiden
Please pass along my sincere appreciation for the effort and comments. You followed through with your quick, low-cost book editing. You even did some cursory research to improve the authenticity—amazing. I know where you are if I need proofreading services in the future. I’ll utilize your services again if I am in need of some proofreading. Feel free to use my endorsement anytime.
-Evelyn
Let me express the sincerest appreciation for your efforts. You had really good suggestions that helped my book. The work was finished within a few days at a super rate. Your communication was always fast, courteous and personal. I would like to use the same editor for future novels.
Best regards,
-Kayla
