Editorial Services
I specialize in historical fiction, historical mystery/suspense, women's fiction, and contemporary domestic thrillers/suspense.
One-on-One Novel Coaching
You’ve mapped out your novel, dug into the characters motivations and conflicts and are ready to get words on the page. Or perhaps you’ve partially mapped out the novel, but are still looking for feedback and accountability on that story map. I’m here to help with on-going book coaching. I’m your cheerleader, taskmaster, accountability partner, bounce-ideas-off partner— and my whole goal is to help you get the story in your heart onto the page.
- Six months of one-on-one book coaching on a regular writing schedule
- Stay focused and on track, with two regular deadlines per month
- Deadline material can include up to twenty pages (double-spaced) and/or writing exercises to deepen and sharpen your story
- Feedback twice a month, including:
- In-line written comments on twenty pages or exercises showing specific areas that work well or need extra attention
- Specific and actionable feedback on areas of opportunity for story improvement
- Additional exercises specific to your story and your individual writing needs
- Motivation and encouragement
- Email support, including:
- Brainstorming
- Answers to questions you have regarding homework or editorial notes
- A check on self-doubt
- Two 30-minute phone calls per month to discuss feedback, brainstorming, and next steps
Your outcomes:
- Establish a regular writing practice with an eye toward a full first draft deadline
- Clarify and deepen your story, theme, and character
- Work toward completing the first draft (word count deadlines can be part of the coaching)
- Produce pages that are tighter, stronger, and well-developed
- The option to continue monthly coaching practice after the initial six months has concluded
Novel Coaching Package: $2400 for 6 months or six monthly payments of $400
This package requires a six-month commitment. When I agree to coach, I go all in, committed to you and your story.
Questions? Let's talk. Click the button below to schedule a Zoom meeting.
Currently accepting clients for April-June 2025
Developmental Editing
You've finished the first draft. Congratulations! That is a big bold accomplishment to be proud of.
Now come the revisions. I can provide another eye on your novel, looking at structure, arc, characterization. pacing and all the elements that make a novel a page turner.
$.045 per word for single pass with editorial report, in-document comments and edits, and 45-minute Zoom meeting
Questions? Let's talk. Click the button below to schedule a meeting.
Currently accepting clients for April-June 2025
Agent Pitch Package
Your novel is in great shape, and you are ready to submit to agents.
It's time to create an agent pitch package with a compelling query, synopsis and first pages.
I will work with you to make this all important pitch package shine, and will provide advice and guidance on searching for agents.
$450 with editorial report, in-document comments and edits, and 2 30-minute Zoom meetings
This package requires a one-month commitment.
Questions? Let's talk. Click the button below to schedule a meeting.
Currently accepting clients for March-June 2025
What Clients Are Saying
Saving Vincent
Historical Fiction
Working with Kim Taylor Blakemore as my developmental editor raised my writing to another level. Her feedback is clear, orderly, and candid. She didn’t simply point out areas that needed further development but rather addressed the gaps in such a way that I could see a pattern of the omissions so clearly, I will never unsee them and so should not ever repeat them. She caught reader stumbling blocks I was blind to since I was so familiar with my story. She pointed out areas of strength that I could leverage and deepen. Kim’s manner is warm, generous, and encouraging. Her observations come with the assertive authority of learned experience as a multi-published, award-winning author as well as an instructor. Above all, I felt that Kim genuinely had my best interest at heart, enabling me to trust her feedback. I wholeheartedly and highly recommend Kim’s developmental editor expertise.
- Joan Fernandez, author of Van Gogh's Accomplice (She Writes Press - releases 2025)
The Arsenic Eater's Wife
Historical Mystery
Kim's thoughtful editing and recommendations for improvement helped make my book shine. My manuscript is getting attention from agents, all thanks to Kim's magic. I highly recommend her if you want to take your manuscript to the next level. Her editorial prowess and knowledge of the industry are nothing short of sublime.
- Tonya Mitchell, author of The Arsenic Eaters Wife and A Feigned Madness
Across Seward Park
Historical Fiction
Kim is an exceptionally gifted mentor and editor with a genuine passion for the project of being a writer. My current novel began as a two-paragraph writing exercise in one of Kim’s workshops and Kim supported me all the way, combining scrupulous rigor with kindness, generosity and heart. Kim has an intuitive grasp of what I’m trying to achieve. I truly could not have written this book without her.
- Gail Lehrman, author of Across Seward Park, Historical Novel Review's Editor's Choice
Uncle Joe's Muse
Contemporary Fiction
Writing is generally a solitary endeavor, riddled with angst and uncertainty. Having someone who provides clarity and insight to the process is an invaluable resource, perhaps even a necessity. When writing my novel Kim acted as a sounding board, developmental editor, coach and even helped with queries and submissions. I cannot image having had a better guide shepherd me through the process.
- Micah Thorp, author of Uncle Joe's Muse and Uncle Joe's Sensai
The Model Spy
Historical Fiction
I have worked with Kim on multiple novel projects and found her guidance invaluable. She reads carefully and closely and provides incisive, constructive, and practical feedback. She strikes a wonderful balance between pushing for improvement and lending support. I highly recommend her to anybody ready to take their project to the next level.”
- Maryka Biaggio, author of The Model Spy, Eden Waits, The Point of Vanishing, and Parlor Games
Well Dressed Lies
Historical Fiction
Kim has not only nurtured my growth as a writer, but her insights have also been an inspiration when addressing my work. I believe that it was because of her deft editing that my latest novel was a semifinalist for the Book Life Prize. Kim's take on a manuscript is absolutely invaluable for anyone who wants their work to be its very best.
- Carrie Hayes, author of Well-Dressed Lies and The Naked Truth
"When I came to Kim with notes from an agent who had rejected my work, I was at a loss as to where to begin editing and afraid of making big mistakes. Kim took me in hand and guided me through a specific developmental edit, 40 pages at a time. Apart from the structural and character-based enhancements she proposed, Kim's keen eye sharpened my prose and strengthened my novel's themes. By reviewing and discussing the work in 40-page chunks I was able to make changes as we went, discuss options and at times collaborate to fix a scene. What started out as a daunting project (in my head) became so much more fun and doable with an expert, gentle guide. I now have a manuscript I can shop around with confidence. I highly recommend working with Kim."
- Shirley West, author of El Sueno, A Novel of Old California (on submission)
"That old adage of when you have lemons, make lemonade? Kim Taylor Blakemore has done that and more. In 2020 when COVID had all of us under lockdown, she started Writer's Well and we did what writers do. We wrote. She taught craft classes, started a weekly meeting for people to read and received critiques, added more craft classes, and thanks to all of this, I finished my draft and turned it over to her for her developmental editing. I have a better, stronger book now."
- Fuf Vollmayer, author of York (on submission)
"When I was researching developmental editors, Kim’s areas of expertise in story arc, conflict and pacing were just what I needed. I was anxious to work with her. She made such a difference on how I viewed my manuscript as a whole, with a purpose and simplicity that will make the reader keep turning the pages. She has a keen eye, pointing out where I’d written romance novel traits when my intention was to write women’s historical fiction. I’ve been very satisfied with this process. I highly recommend her.
—Stef Ann Holm, author of We Were Those Girls (ms in revisions)
"I’ve been writing and working with Kim Taylor Blakemore and the Novelitics program since Spring 2019, when I took her Writing Historical Fiction class. I was a new fiction writer– and very nervous– but I quickly realized I had no reason to be. With the Novelitics program, Kim has built a welcoming, supportive, and inspiring community of writers who approach all pieces of writing with kindness, passion, and creativity. Throughout the years, I’ve taken workshops through Novelitics and have also utilized Kim’s one-on-one coaching program. Kim’s workshops always leave me feeling inspired and connected to my own writing and the writing community as well. And I can say with utmost confidence that I would not have finished the first draft of my novel without Kim’s one-on-one coaching program (which included weekly submissions, the creation of monthly goals, and feedback/edits from Kim). I highly recommend Kim and her Novelitics program for writers looking for community, inspiration, and accountability. You’ll get all that, and more!"
- Katie Nelson, author of THE LAST COWBOY (ms in revisions)
"I've thoroughly enjoyed working with Kim during the process of writing my first book. From teaching me the fundamentals to providing accountability to helping me hone my craft, Kim's coaching has been an essential part of my writing process."
- Natalie Ayers, author of COAST GHOST(ms in revisions)
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