LET’S WORK TOGETHER
“Cherie Kephart edits with compassion and honesty. She has an amazing presence—she is centered and focused—and has helped me improve my writing so much. I trust her opinions and judgment and feel it is her number one goal to make writers better. I love her editing style; she motivates and challenges, which results in a better poem, essay, story, or book. I am honored to have her edit my work.”
— Leslie Ferguson, award-winning author of When I Was Her Daughter
EDITING
Editing is an important part of any writing process. It brings clarity, cohesion, and that extra polish imperative for any piece of prose.
I specialize in developmental editing and line editing, with expertise in the following areas:
Memoir
Narrative (creative) nonfiction
Nonfiction — especially personal stories, metaphysical, wellness, and self-help
Short Stories | Spoken Word | Poetry
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing, also called substantive editing, is the highest level of editing and focuses on the big picture—structure, organization, and content. It is often thought of for that initial rough draft, but is beneficial throughout many stages of the writing process.
What You Will Receive
A Manuscript Evaluation — A detailed assessment of your writing project’s structure and content, and its strengths and challenges, as well as feedback on many other aspects such as voice, theme, characters, dialogue, pace, point of view, and message.
Line Editing — Line-by-line edits to improve the flow and clarity of your sentences. It also ensures your writing is focused and consistent.
Two Review Sessions — During these sessions we will discuss what I found during my review of your manuscript. You get the opportunity to ask questions and receive specific feedback to elevate your writing.
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Manuscript Review
This type of review is similar to the developmental edit in that feedback focuses on the big picture. However, it does not include line edits. It is a perfect choice if you are seeking an experienced professional to provide an overview of your writing project but are not ready for or don’t need the specific line-by-line notes.
What You Will Receive
A Manuscript Evaluation — An overall assessment of your writing project’s structure and content, and its strengths and challenges, as well as some feedback on other main areas such as voice, theme, characters, dialogue, pace, point of view, and message.
Review Session — During this session we will discuss what I found during my review. You get the opportunity to ask questions and get help with specific feedback to elevate your writing.
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Initial Review (first thirty pages or three chapters)
This is the perfect option if you are just starting out with your project and want to be sure you are headed in the right direction. It’s also useful if you are not ready for a full developmental edit but want to see how this level of editing can help improve your manuscript.
What You Will Receive
A Manuscript Evaluation — A detailed assessment of the first thirty pages or three chapters, focusing on the overall structure and content of the piece, and its strengths and challenges, as well as feedback on many other aspects such as voice, theme, characters, dialogue, pace, point of view, and overall message.
Review Session — During this session we will discuss everything I found during my review. You get the opportunity to ask questions and get help with specific feedback to elevate your writing.
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“As authors, we may have difficulty realizing how our good-enough writing can be elevated to become so much better with the guidance of a patient, kind, astute editor and writing coach. Cherie has the unique ability to provide that while offering truly transformative feedback. Her help, and the exceptional relationship she brings to the process, is priceless!”
— Bev Hamowitz, LCSW and author of Fear Caller
COACHING
As writers, we get the opportunity to contribute something deeply personal and meaningful to the world. However, the writing journey is riddled with endless questions, twists, turns, and what can seem like dead ends.
I love working closely with writers, digging deep into the essence of writing, traveling beyond the words to unravel all the hidden layers that need to be addressed so you can reach your writing aspirations.
Coaching Sessions
Great writing takes grit and vulnerability, but that is often hard to come by on our own. That’s what writing coaching is for: helping you breakthrough any challenges you have, while illuminating what you can’t see to help you reach your goals.
Coaching sessions are tailored to meet your unique needs. From the inception of an idea all the way to publication, I will work with you on whatever aspects you need help with most. If you’re not sure what you need help with but know you need it, that’s okay too. We will work together and discover what you need and how to get you where you want to be.
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Initial Consult
It’s important you find a writing coach who you feel comfortable with, one who listens and understands what you are working to convey in your writing. That’s why I offer a twenty-minute consult so you can ask me any questions, get to know how I work, and find out if I’m we are the right fit to work together.
“Cherie is sharp and thorough. She can see the intent of an author, and help draw that intent out into vivid prose. She is attentive to nuance. Her literary expertise is very apparent in every step of the process. All of this comes with a sensitivity and kindness that is above and beyond. She genuinely cares for the author and their work. She is down-to-earth, knowledgeable, concise, honest, and patient. In all of our conversations I was struck with how well she listened. Before Cherie’s edits, I felt sheepish about my work. Now I find myself with a whole new energy in my writing and the hopes I have for it.”
— Tony Busnardo, author of A Highway Will Be There
