Karen McKellar | Editor/Writer
@karenmckellar.bsky.social
I help indie authors untangle plots & strengthen structure & character. Five years in business and a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association.
Opening chapters edit, full edit, MS Critique at www.indiecateditorial.com
I also write myself!
Opening chapters edit, full edit, MS Critique at www.indiecateditorial.com
I also write myself!
#WritingCommunity
Your first 10,000 words developmentally edited and back to you within a week! Adult SF/F/H, historical, literary, and thriller. Extensive report and margin comments. More info at the link.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/op...
Your first 10,000 words developmentally edited and back to you within a week! Adult SF/F/H, historical, literary, and thriller. Extensive report and margin comments. More info at the link.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/op...
March 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
#WritingCommunity
Your first 10,000 words developmentally edited and back to you within a week! Adult SF/F/H, historical, literary, and thriller. Extensive report and margin comments. More info at the link.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/op...
Your first 10,000 words developmentally edited and back to you within a week! Adult SF/F/H, historical, literary, and thriller. Extensive report and margin comments. More info at the link.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/op...
#WritingCommunity
The story spine is a storytelling structure attributed to Pixar or to writer/director Brian McDonald.
The eight-step structure is a great road map for storytelling and one worth keeping in your back pocket. Here is how it breaks down:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
The story spine is a storytelling structure attributed to Pixar or to writer/director Brian McDonald.
The eight-step structure is a great road map for storytelling and one worth keeping in your back pocket. Here is how it breaks down:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
March 11, 2025 at 8:40 AM
#WritingCommunity
The story spine is a storytelling structure attributed to Pixar or to writer/director Brian McDonald.
The eight-step structure is a great road map for storytelling and one worth keeping in your back pocket. Here is how it breaks down:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
The story spine is a storytelling structure attributed to Pixar or to writer/director Brian McDonald.
The eight-step structure is a great road map for storytelling and one worth keeping in your back pocket. Here is how it breaks down:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Looking forward to warmer days in the garden. It looks lovely this morning, but it's not unusual for it to start with clear blue skies and then cloud over.
Painting by J.W. Waterhouse.
Painting by J.W. Waterhouse.
March 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Looking forward to warmer days in the garden. It looks lovely this morning, but it's not unusual for it to start with clear blue skies and then cloud over.
Painting by J.W. Waterhouse.
Painting by J.W. Waterhouse.
March 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
#WritingCommunity
Are you writing a historical novel? This post digs into various ways to research, whether it be location or social customs, etc.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Are you writing a historical novel? This post digs into various ways to research, whether it be location or social customs, etc.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
March 11, 2025 at 8:16 AM
#WritingCommunity
Are you writing a historical novel? This post digs into various ways to research, whether it be location or social customs, etc.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Are you writing a historical novel? This post digs into various ways to research, whether it be location or social customs, etc.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity #BookSky
These are books from two of the series I've worked on as a developmental editor. The first is by Hamish Hudson, a thriller writer. The second is by S.A. Thomas, a romance author.
Looking for a developmental edit or a manuscript critique? indiecateditorial.com
These are books from two of the series I've worked on as a developmental editor. The first is by Hamish Hudson, a thriller writer. The second is by S.A. Thomas, a romance author.
Looking for a developmental edit or a manuscript critique? indiecateditorial.com
March 11, 2025 at 7:50 AM
#WritingCommunity #BookSky
These are books from two of the series I've worked on as a developmental editor. The first is by Hamish Hudson, a thriller writer. The second is by S.A. Thomas, a romance author.
Looking for a developmental edit or a manuscript critique? indiecateditorial.com
These are books from two of the series I've worked on as a developmental editor. The first is by Hamish Hudson, a thriller writer. The second is by S.A. Thomas, a romance author.
Looking for a developmental edit or a manuscript critique? indiecateditorial.com
4/4 The full developmental edit is the most expensive but also comes in different price tiers. All prices are lower than standard EFA rates.
Genres: adult SF/F/H, historical, thriller & literary. I've also worked on romance and memoir.
Email: karen@indiecateditorial.com
indiecateditorial.com
Genres: adult SF/F/H, historical, thriller & literary. I've also worked on romance and memoir.
Email: karen@indiecateditorial.com
indiecateditorial.com
March 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
4/4 The full developmental edit is the most expensive but also comes in different price tiers. All prices are lower than standard EFA rates.
Genres: adult SF/F/H, historical, thriller & literary. I've also worked on romance and memoir.
Email: karen@indiecateditorial.com
indiecateditorial.com
Genres: adult SF/F/H, historical, thriller & literary. I've also worked on romance and memoir.
Email: karen@indiecateditorial.com
indiecateditorial.com
#amediting #writingcommunity Just woke up to an email from a client. I was supposed to be working on her manuscript already. But she's delayed and won't be able to deliver until May. So I have immediate openings in my developmental editing schedule. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
March 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
#amediting #writingcommunity Just woke up to an email from a client. I was supposed to be working on her manuscript already. But she's delayed and won't be able to deliver until May. So I have immediate openings in my developmental editing schedule. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
#WritingCommunity
Are you writing your memoir? This post tackles some of the issues associated with memoir as a genre, including truth versus memory, emotional vulnerability, fear of judgement and more. Link below:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Are you writing your memoir? This post tackles some of the issues associated with memoir as a genre, including truth versus memory, emotional vulnerability, fear of judgement and more. Link below:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
March 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
#WritingCommunity
Are you writing your memoir? This post tackles some of the issues associated with memoir as a genre, including truth versus memory, emotional vulnerability, fear of judgement and more. Link below:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Are you writing your memoir? This post tackles some of the issues associated with memoir as a genre, including truth versus memory, emotional vulnerability, fear of judgement and more. Link below:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
Image below from Ann Radcliffe's 1794 Gothic novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho. She was hugely influential in the 1790s. In the post below, I dig into the history of Gothic fiction & examine its common tropes:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Image below from Ann Radcliffe's 1794 Gothic novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho. She was hugely influential in the 1790s. In the post below, I dig into the history of Gothic fiction & examine its common tropes:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
March 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
Image below from Ann Radcliffe's 1794 Gothic novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho. She was hugely influential in the 1790s. In the post below, I dig into the history of Gothic fiction & examine its common tropes:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Image below from Ann Radcliffe's 1794 Gothic novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho. She was hugely influential in the 1790s. In the post below, I dig into the history of Gothic fiction & examine its common tropes:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity #BookSky
Hilary Mantel's French Revolution novel, A Place of Greater Safety, won Sunday Express Book of the Year. In reality, this was a rejected first novel, written when she was in her 20s and only published when she was 40ish.
More here:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Hilary Mantel's French Revolution novel, A Place of Greater Safety, won Sunday Express Book of the Year. In reality, this was a rejected first novel, written when she was in her 20s and only published when she was 40ish.
More here:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
March 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
#WritingCommunity #BookSky
Hilary Mantel's French Revolution novel, A Place of Greater Safety, won Sunday Express Book of the Year. In reality, this was a rejected first novel, written when she was in her 20s and only published when she was 40ish.
More here:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Hilary Mantel's French Revolution novel, A Place of Greater Safety, won Sunday Express Book of the Year. In reality, this was a rejected first novel, written when she was in her 20s and only published when she was 40ish.
More here:
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity
Writing a novel set in eighteenth century Europe? Or maybe you just love historical costume? This book focuses more on specific details of male and female dress. The beautiful finishings and embroidery, the elegance of a sleeve, etc.
Writing a novel set in eighteenth century Europe? Or maybe you just love historical costume? This book focuses more on specific details of male and female dress. The beautiful finishings and embroidery, the elegance of a sleeve, etc.
March 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#WritingCommunity
Writing a novel set in eighteenth century Europe? Or maybe you just love historical costume? This book focuses more on specific details of male and female dress. The beautiful finishings and embroidery, the elegance of a sleeve, etc.
Writing a novel set in eighteenth century Europe? Or maybe you just love historical costume? This book focuses more on specific details of male and female dress. The beautiful finishings and embroidery, the elegance of a sleeve, etc.
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
Old travel guides are very useful when your novel is set in a historical location. Researching the 20th century is likely easier, and there will be more travel guides, but there are earlier guides, and also personal diaries and accounts of travelling that can be useful.
Old travel guides are very useful when your novel is set in a historical location. Researching the 20th century is likely easier, and there will be more travel guides, but there are earlier guides, and also personal diaries and accounts of travelling that can be useful.
March 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
#BookSky #WritingCommunity
Old travel guides are very useful when your novel is set in a historical location. Researching the 20th century is likely easier, and there will be more travel guides, but there are earlier guides, and also personal diaries and accounts of travelling that can be useful.
Old travel guides are very useful when your novel is set in a historical location. Researching the 20th century is likely easier, and there will be more travel guides, but there are earlier guides, and also personal diaries and accounts of travelling that can be useful.
#WritingCommunity #BookSky My A-Z of Regency London. Useful if I ever time travel back there. Also useful for historical research.
Do you have a historical novel in need of developmental feedback or a manuscript critique? I'm a specialist dev editor. Check out my website:
indiecateditorial.com
Do you have a historical novel in need of developmental feedback or a manuscript critique? I'm a specialist dev editor. Check out my website:
indiecateditorial.com
March 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
#WritingCommunity #BookSky My A-Z of Regency London. Useful if I ever time travel back there. Also useful for historical research.
Do you have a historical novel in need of developmental feedback or a manuscript critique? I'm a specialist dev editor. Check out my website:
indiecateditorial.com
Do you have a historical novel in need of developmental feedback or a manuscript critique? I'm a specialist dev editor. Check out my website:
indiecateditorial.com
This painting is by JW Waterhouse and is called A Tale from the Decameron. To me it perfectly represents the spellbinding nature of storytelling and stories.
March 3, 2025 at 10:39 AM
This painting is by JW Waterhouse and is called A Tale from the Decameron. To me it perfectly represents the spellbinding nature of storytelling and stories.
Love the costumes and sets in Crimson Peak. Reminds me of Victorian paintings.
March 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Love the costumes and sets in Crimson Peak. Reminds me of Victorian paintings.
I'll also examine your synopsis to see how the opening fits in with the later plot & ending. I'll check for plot holes. I'll check to see if the synopsis delivers on theme and story arc.
You can include a longer synopsis if you want more detailed feedback. It adds to the edit price.
3/
You can include a longer synopsis if you want more detailed feedback. It adds to the edit price.
3/
February 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I'll also examine your synopsis to see how the opening fits in with the later plot & ending. I'll check for plot holes. I'll check to see if the synopsis delivers on theme and story arc.
You can include a longer synopsis if you want more detailed feedback. It adds to the edit price.
3/
You can include a longer synopsis if you want more detailed feedback. It adds to the edit price.
3/
Here's how the edit works:
- I read your manuscript several times, digging deeper with each read
- I also read your synopsis
- I make margin notes on both so you can see where you're doing great, and also where there might be an issue
- I write a report running to thousands of words
2/
- I read your manuscript several times, digging deeper with each read
- I also read your synopsis
- I make margin notes on both so you can see where you're doing great, and also where there might be an issue
- I write a report running to thousands of words
2/
February 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Here's how the edit works:
- I read your manuscript several times, digging deeper with each read
- I also read your synopsis
- I make margin notes on both so you can see where you're doing great, and also where there might be an issue
- I write a report running to thousands of words
2/
- I read your manuscript several times, digging deeper with each read
- I also read your synopsis
- I make margin notes on both so you can see where you're doing great, and also where there might be an issue
- I write a report running to thousands of words
2/
#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors
Are you looking for affordable but detailed feedback on your novel? I have a special developmental editing package that focuses on the first 10,000 words of your manuscript. The opening scenes of your novel are vital if you want to hook readers. More in thread:
1/
Are you looking for affordable but detailed feedback on your novel? I have a special developmental editing package that focuses on the first 10,000 words of your manuscript. The opening scenes of your novel are vital if you want to hook readers. More in thread:
1/
February 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors
Are you looking for affordable but detailed feedback on your novel? I have a special developmental editing package that focuses on the first 10,000 words of your manuscript. The opening scenes of your novel are vital if you want to hook readers. More in thread:
1/
Are you looking for affordable but detailed feedback on your novel? I have a special developmental editing package that focuses on the first 10,000 words of your manuscript. The opening scenes of your novel are vital if you want to hook readers. More in thread:
1/
#WritingCommunity Client testimonial for developmental editing of fiction. If you are looking for a manuscript critique or a developmental edit, you can find me at IndieCat Editorial. indiecateditorial.com
February 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
#WritingCommunity Client testimonial for developmental editing of fiction. If you are looking for a manuscript critique or a developmental edit, you can find me at IndieCat Editorial. indiecateditorial.com
#WritingCommunity
I’ve written past posts on how to research your novel locations online, and also how to avoid certain location problems in your fiction. In this post I wanted to address the specific topic of researching historical locations for your novel...
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
I’ve written past posts on how to research your novel locations online, and also how to avoid certain location problems in your fiction. In this post I wanted to address the specific topic of researching historical locations for your novel...
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
February 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
#WritingCommunity
I’ve written past posts on how to research your novel locations online, and also how to avoid certain location problems in your fiction. In this post I wanted to address the specific topic of researching historical locations for your novel...
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
I’ve written past posts on how to research your novel locations online, and also how to avoid certain location problems in your fiction. In this post I wanted to address the specific topic of researching historical locations for your novel...
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity
Copywork is an old method of learning how to write, used by writers like Benjamin Franklin, Jack London, and Hunter S. Thompson. In this post I discuss how this technique teaches style, word choice, grammar and punctuation.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Copywork is an old method of learning how to write, used by writers like Benjamin Franklin, Jack London, and Hunter S. Thompson. In this post I discuss how this technique teaches style, word choice, grammar and punctuation.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
February 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
#WritingCommunity
Copywork is an old method of learning how to write, used by writers like Benjamin Franklin, Jack London, and Hunter S. Thompson. In this post I discuss how this technique teaches style, word choice, grammar and punctuation.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
Copywork is an old method of learning how to write, used by writers like Benjamin Franklin, Jack London, and Hunter S. Thompson. In this post I discuss how this technique teaches style, word choice, grammar and punctuation.
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity
In this post I examine the history and development of the Gothic novel, and look at the common tropes and ingredients found in this fiction. Great for those working on Gothic short stories or novels!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
In this post I examine the history and development of the Gothic novel, and look at the common tropes and ingredients found in this fiction. Great for those working on Gothic short stories or novels!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
February 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#WritingCommunity
In this post I examine the history and development of the Gothic novel, and look at the common tropes and ingredients found in this fiction. Great for those working on Gothic short stories or novels!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
In this post I examine the history and development of the Gothic novel, and look at the common tropes and ingredients found in this fiction. Great for those working on Gothic short stories or novels!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
#WritingCommunity
Tanith Lee wrote her first drafts by hand, typing them up afterwards since no one else could read her handwriting. She averaged 100 pages a month, but, when it came to her novella Sabella (150 pages), it only took her nine days.
Tanith Lee wrote her first drafts by hand, typing them up afterwards since no one else could read her handwriting. She averaged 100 pages a month, but, when it came to her novella Sabella (150 pages), it only took her nine days.
February 20, 2025 at 5:42 PM
#WritingCommunity
Tanith Lee wrote her first drafts by hand, typing them up afterwards since no one else could read her handwriting. She averaged 100 pages a month, but, when it came to her novella Sabella (150 pages), it only took her nine days.
Tanith Lee wrote her first drafts by hand, typing them up afterwards since no one else could read her handwriting. She averaged 100 pages a month, but, when it came to her novella Sabella (150 pages), it only took her nine days.
#WritingCommunity
The opening lines of your novel are a doorway into your fictional world. Here are some famous examples!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
The opening lines of your novel are a doorway into your fictional world. Here are some famous examples!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
February 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
#WritingCommunity
The opening lines of your novel are a doorway into your fictional world. Here are some famous examples!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...
The opening lines of your novel are a doorway into your fictional world. Here are some famous examples!
indiecateditorial.com/index.php/20...