Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you, and we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” – Arthur Plotnik

There are countless professionals who know about grammar, punctuation, syntax, and the like,  but far fewer work with the heart of the writer. The best part of reading other writers is to get to the kernel of what they are trying to say, to help them find their message and make it shine.

My “editing” business is beyond just editing–I think of it as a chance to peek inside works in progress and then have a dialogue with the writer about what works and what could use some polish. Often we also converse about writing challenges or practical problems to consider, such as dealing with tehcnology, the role of social media, and how to find community.  And then, yes, of course, there is more traditional and typical editing–spotting oversights in spelling and grammar, inconsistencies in style, sentence structures that are confusing to the reader, etc. Aside from my freelance writing life, I’ve spent over 20 years as a professional writer and editor and have sharpened my copy editing pencil to a fine point along the way.

I thoroughly enjoy reading other writers’ work, across the gamut:

• Business owners who need good copy and have just roughed out the concept
• New creative writers who need expert insights
• More experienced writers who simply need a second set of eyes

Please contact me at khauswirth@sbcglobal.net if you’d like to learn more. I have a policy of offering a limited bit of editing gratis, so the client can get a good sense of how I work and whether I am a good fit for the job. I also keep clients updated as to the progress of the work and anticipated time needed, so there are no billing surprises!

Happy customers include:

“On the road to getting published, editing is key. Katherine is a great collaborator. She asks great questions and has helped me to uncover the story beneath the words on the page.”

—Mark Daniel Seiler, Sighing Woman Tea (Xlibris 2014), River’s Child (Homebound 2018),
Shave Ice Paradise (Homebound 2020)

“I would highly recommend Katherine’s editing work. She is honest, positive and truly collaborative. She is gifted at honing the voice of a new or unsteady author. I am grateful for her help.”

—Emily Anne Bjornberg, author with a phenomenal tale in the works!