Beginning in January 2015, I will be available for structural editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading on children’s book projects of all genres (picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry).
Please scroll down or click on the links below for more information:
Editor’s Statement
Thank you for considering me to edit your project. I love the creative process and supporting others to have their visions become realities. I also love words and the way they are supported by their partners, punctuation and structure.
I have critiqued and edited others’ work over decades. I have also had my own work critiqued and edited over a similar time period. From those experiences one thing I firmly believe is this: the author is the author. In other words, ultimately, your writing is for you to direct. My job as an editor is to understand what you aim to accomplish and to help you achieve that through my expertise in children’s books and language. Anything I provide to you, whether an idea, convention, or rule, is yours to make a choice about, as the author.
I will have done my job well, if my comments, notes, and suggestions help you bring your writing closer to reaching its audience in an engaging way, with the message and emotional impact you intended. I am told that I do this very well, and aspire to be even better.
Karin Fisher-Golton
December 2014
Relevant Background
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Carleton College, an institution known to produce excellent writers. Starting with my freshman year rhetoric class, I developed a firm grasp on grammar as well as a special fondness for comma rules.
- Elementary school teaching credential from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. This program included an excellent Children’s Literature class and extensive study of how to use literature in classrooms.
- Teaching experience with children in many venues, most recently co-teaching an after-school poetry class.
- Over a decade of work in freelance and permanent writing and editing positions in the business and public sectors. During my time at an educational software company the meticulous woman who edited and proofread others’ work had me edit and proofread her own. I was proud that she came to call me “eagle eye.”
- Lifelong fan and student of children’s literature. I still read children’s books for study and pleasure.
- Member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators since 1998. Over the years I have attended many educational workshops and conferences. I have also participated in several writers critique groups, twice as the founding member and leader. I have witnessed the development and completion of dozens of written works for children and young adults.
And if that wasn’t enough…you can read my writer’s bio here.
Here is a list of my own published children’s books.
Testimonial
One of the most powerful tools a writer can find is a good editor. The ideal editor listens to what the author wants to say and can help the author give the characters their true voice, while cleaning up POV splits, typos, unauthentic dialog that doesn’t fit the character, to say nothing of punctuation, tone, and consistency of setting and timelines.
When you find one of these chimeric creatures grab them and keep them your deepest, most valuable secret. Unfortunately, I like Karin too much to lock her in a dungeon as she completes my desires of spinning my straw into gold. So I’ll let you in on my secret—Karin Fisher-Golton is going to be one of the most highly sought Indie editors on the market. Reserve a place on her calendar now!
—Marik Berghs, author of Grace Notes
Available Editing Services
Structural editing: These are big picture edits. I will look at things like structure, pacing, character development, point of view, and voice.
Line editing: I will look closely at the paragraphs and sentences, making wording and grammar suggestions to polish them so that they convey your story more clearly.
Copyediting: Comma rules and more! This one’s an edit for grammar and word usage–those tricky things spell checkers tend to miss. I use the Chicago Manual of Style. I do not do fact checking.
Depending on where you are with your project, sometimes structural and line editing or line editing and copyediting can be combined.
Proofreading: This is the very last edit of a book, to make sure there are no typos or missed punctuation. Proofreading is most effective when you have already copyedited the work and have a manuscript that is as clean as you can get it.
If you are interested in working with me, please contact me using this form (messages go right to my email inbox) or call me at 510-556-4014.
If we decide to work together, I will ask you to provide me with a hard copy of your project in standard manuscript style: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times font, one-inch margins, paragraphs delineated with tabs (not extra lines), page numbers and identifying information on every page. This format makes it easy for me to read your work and focus on the editing.
Here’s what you can expect from me:
For edits that include structural editing and line editing: I will mark the pages with notes, and also type up summary comments. We will have a conversation (probably by phone) about those comments and the direction of your work.
For copyediting only or proofreading only: I will mark up the pages, and possibly type up some brief summary comments. We will probably have a brief conversation by phone.
These are general guidelines. We will work together to make a plan to help move your project forward from where it is now.
Rates
Rates coming soon.
Karin Fisher-Golton 