Twenty years of helping fiction, memoir, and nonfiction authors shape manuscripts into books that readers love.
Developmental Editing Services
Wherein we meet for an hour (online or irl, if you’re local) and talk about your book.
Wherein I read up to 5000 words, then we meet for an hour and talk about your piece.
Services I offer:
Developmental Editing. Read.
This is a deep-dive into your story’s structure with an intensive focus on character development and arc, plot holes, world-building, and pacing. All the while keeping in mind theme and symbolism as well. I read for tone and voice consistency, and maintain consideration for the reader’s journey. Developmental Editing comes with a booklet of notes, paths, and actionables. A meeting afterwards to go over it all is also included. Learn more about my Developmental Editing Services here.
Book Coaching. Read.
I call this Story Therapy. Story Therapy is an inexpensive way to hire a Developmental Editor. We simply meet for an hour and talk and have a targeted conversation about your book. Story Therapy sessions are designed to nurture a writer through every and any stage of their writing process. I can help you define your goals, learn your artistic voice, shape your vision, as well as offering editorial feedback and emotionally supporting you through your writer’s journey. Learn more about my Story Therapy practice here.
Manuscript Evaluation. Read.
Or, Beta Reading, is where I collapse the distance between reader and text. I still consider it Developmental Editing, as I’ll be reading with an editor’s eye, but instead of detailed line by line analysis, I give you my overall impressions and suggestions. This is either for drafts in the early stages, for more seasoned writers, or those whose drafts are considered nearly finished. Learn more about Manuscript Evaluation here.
Children’s Book Editing. Read.
Do you have a wonderful idea for a children’s picture book but need some help structuring your pages? Together, we can build an elegant, simple, and delightful children’s book using what I know about symbolism and story structure. I have taken on several children’s books in my career. We’ve always had so much fun.
Editing for Businesses, the Service Industry, or Professionals. Read.
Would having a book explaining your work help your service business? Do you do something differently, or have years of experience you think is worth sharing? Having a book about your work will certainly elevate you a cut above the competition! Show off your expertise and convince every one of your brilliance. Together, we can make you look like one of the leaders in your industry. Email me to set up a consultation to tell me all about your business.
Ghost Writing Services. Read.
Just don’t want to write it yourself? This isn’t my main bag, but we can talk. Email me.
Tarot Reading for your Project. Read.
Just need a little magic to get unstuck? Let’s give your project a tarot reading. Perfect antidote to the dreaded writer’s block. Might just be the thing to get your creative juices flowing.
I’ve also written a book on how to use the Tarot to deepen, expand, and unlock your writing practice. It’s available online, and it’s all hyperlinked and chockfull of references and resources. Click here to access it.
Hi! I’m Cathy, a Developmental Book Editor.
I have been a professional editor for over two decades.
And I have spent that career honing on the specifics of my craft and technique to create my Book Midwifery process.
I specialize in fiction, memoir, and hybrids with a focus on emotional transformations, structural clarity, and symbolism. I also have a soft spot for experimentation, for the writers who do things a little differently.
Writing is deeply personal.
No two projects are ever the same.
Every project has its own needs.
Just like children.
But also like children, they all still have the same basic needs:
• Solid structure
• Compelling characters
• Dynamic plot
• Interesting evolution
• Unique voice
So my method is personalized, fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need a Developmental Editor? Read.
Not all editing is the same. Paying someone to comb through and fix your punctuation or pretty up your sentences, won’t help in the long run if there’s a core issue with your manuscript. Whether you’re wanting to traditionally publish or indie publish, this is the one step I would not skip.
Many writers go through multiple drafts, often including several major rewrites. If they’re in a critique group, or had several beta readers, they can become overwhelmed and confused by all the advice. Getting a professional editor’s perspective can help you solve large-scale problems and fine-tune your manuscript early on, making your writing journey way more efficient.
What services do you offer? Read.
I offer a comprehensive range of Editing Services, including Developmental Edits, Book Coaching, Beta Reading, Line Edits, and sometimes, Proofreading.
To help my clients, I’ve developed the micropress, Shape & Color Books. Through them, I can help you see your book in print.
If you’re local to the Fox Valley area, I’m also the founder and owner of The Republic of Letters. Through them, I offer marketing opportunities for your books and blogs with our Local Author Directory.
What genres do you work in? Read.
Novels, all genres.
But especially: Literary, Fantasy, Romance, and Romantasy.
Memoir, Creative Nonfiction.
Love Autotheory and Performative Writing.
Short Stories and Essays.
Experimental, Multi-Genre or Hybrid works. These are my jam.
What are your prices? Read.
Story Therapy—which is essentially book coaching—is $74 an hour.
I also offer Story Therapy with pages (totaling up to 5000 words) for a flat rate deal of $140. This is an inexpensive way to hire a developmental editor.
As those prices have recently, slightly increased, I am offering the old price ($60 for sans pages, and $120 for with), if you were to purchase a bundle. Email for this option.
Developmental edits are .04¢ a word.
Beta Reading is .01¢ a word.
Prices vary for line edits, but .02¢ a word is ballpark.
Proofreading is .01¢ a word.
Do you accept payment installments? Read.
Yes. We can usually work something out.
What payment methods do you accept? Read.
Cash, check, credit cards, Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal.
How long does it take? Read.
The timeline for a project can vary based on complexity and your requirements. Generally, a standard editing package has a turn around of about a month from when you sign the contract. Story Therapy has around a week turnaround. It depends on my availability. I work closely with you to establish a timeline that suits your needs. For large projects, there will always be a contract.
On some specifics I look for:
Structural Clarity
We’ll organize your vision and lay a clear path for achieving your goals.
From world building to plot weaving, to arcs and pacing, we will figure it all out and clean things up.
Emotional Clarity
We’ll consider the reader, and make sure to give them an experience.
From emotional mapping to tone and mood inside setting, we will logically break down how to engage your readers.
Locating Your Metaphors
Inside what you’ve already written are your preferred metaphors. I’ll show you how to find them and write stories around these potent symbols.
A good editor for hire…
Is one that understands your vision, has heard what you want to say, and works to help you say it.
Helps you match what’s in your head with what’s on the page.
We’ll talk about what you really want to write.
I’ll help you plan with purpose and strategy.
But it’s your baby, you’ll birth this book. I’ll just help deliver it and make sure it’s healthy.
Why do you need Developmental Editing?
Paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for line edits won’t help if structure is your problem.
Won’t help if your tone is all over the place.
If your characters are flat, irritating, or uncanny.
If your book is boring.
If your climaxes fizzle and your middle sags.
Or if the characters’ emotional arcs are forced and unearned.
Delicate but relentless care and attention to detail will produce a better manuscript that will get you noticed. Whether you’re writing genius, high-literary fiction, want to complete your memoirs, or you’re an expert in your field and you’d like a book to go with your company practices, I can help.
My Book Editing Process:
Together, we will find your metaphors and style through symbolic, philosophic, and thematic character and plot analysis.
We’ll play with structure and sort out your symbols until we get them organized and right. At the end of the process you will have a text that is yours and ready for submission. It will be moving and you will love it.
You will love the process of it.
It’s my job to find what’s not working, but more importantly, I can find what is.
I’ll listen to what you want to accomplish and I know the steps we can take to make that happen. (But what this looks like depends on your project.)
Together, we will find your metaphors, birth your characters, learn and amplify your voice, then care for its moods.
I will not force your text into any trend. We will not be analyzing the market or any algorithms. We will, instead, find what makes your art yours—this is the heart of your work—and we will use that to make your writing the best it can be.
Each client is different, but after a free consultation we work out what you need to tap into your inspiration and get the pages flowing. This can look like very poignant questions, meticulous line editing, flow charts, art recommendations, or something else!
Because this is such an intensive process, lights will get turned on, we will unearth gems, and clarify your thoughts. Not all of it will be pleasant, some of it may be very painful for you, but the process will be cathartic and special, and the bound book in your hands will be immensely satisfying and yours.
What my clients have to say:
“I have been working with Cathy Borders as an editor for many years, and she is literally the only person I trust to give me the real deal on my work. Indeed, I refer to her opinion to sort through the sometimes contradictory feedback of other readers of my work, and her reading always trumps the crowd. Her eye is fine, and acutely generous, able to enter into the writer’s personal universe without imposing her own upon it, always listening to the unique thread which makes a work a work, and not any other, and often making that line emerge when I myself had not been able to find it. Her line edits are deft, girded by years of deep readings of a vast array of different kinds of texts, and familiarity with the textual world and literary scene. Her capacity to grasp, sort through and propose structural shifts, cuts and additions to my work is always spot on, and her honesty is devastatingly kind. I know she will not lie to me if my work falls short, a rare and necessary quality in an editor. However, when it works, when it is good, and the work does what it has set out to do (and sometimes only she can see what that is), her support and encouragement is unflagging. I can very genuinely say that I would not have come this far, or indeed, gone anywhere at all as a writer, without her help. Sometimes I think I should list her as co-author.”
Lily Robert-Foley
“With an immense knowledge and experience in the world of writing, Cathy was able to help me start to realize the potential of my own. Drawing on Greek myths to vaporwave, she is familiar with almost any kind of narrative there can be, and will be able to guide your project to the best it can possibly be.”
Liam
“Cathy Borders has been my editor for some time now. She’s done an excellent job with both my poetry and children’s books. To me she’s more than an editor because she understands the direction I’m heading. Her suggestions are spot on and help build a stronger story. I like the fact that I can call her and work it out. We walk through each step to make sure I’m satisfied with the end product. She’s a fine writer in her own right so she understands the rigors of being an author. I highly recommend her and I’m glad she’s on board with my writing endeavors. Five stars from me!!”
Leo Zarko
“Cathy Borders skillfully and patiently birthed my book while managing to maintain my voice and point of view despite having no previous background in Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, or Daoist philosophy.”
Evelyn Robert
“Cathy is an absolute joy to work with. She is a thoughtful reader who is able to offer valuable insight and guidance. I’m grateful to have found her.”
Patricia Motto
“I can’t say enough about Cathy! I am a first time fiction writer and am very lucky I found her. Honestly, I am not sure I would have continued writing without her continued support and professional help. Don’t hesitate for one moment if you need guidance of any kind for your project-you won’t regret reaching out to her!”
Liz Georgiou
“Cathy is a gift to writers and readers alike! Her approach is equal parts professional and nurturing. She is a champion, friend, and kind critic for your project. Her attention to detail, as well as her ability to excavate meaning from your fragments, sets her apart. I recommend Cathy without hesitation. I am truly honored that she has chosen to help me bring my stories to life.”
KR W
“If I had to choose a word to describe working with Cathy Borders, I’d have to use a word from my next book, which I hope she’ll be available to edit. That word would be poly-luminous. In a world where the majority of people are binary thinkers, drifting between good and bad, right and wrong, up and down, the poly-luminous thinker sees all the possibilities as things evolve. This was so true of Cathy. Whether a single word or the construction of a chapter, her approach was open, honest, and brilliant. I’ve listened to a number of my writer friends complain about their books being edited but frankly, I have no complaints. In fact, it was joyful and inspiring. She made my book better and helped me think about the way I write. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with her will be lucky.”
Michael Foley
“I am currently working on completing my second book and needed professional assistance. Cathy has been an amazing resource for writing, critiquing and editing my content. This process has been easy and timely. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help me finish my project.”
Jennifer Mercier
“Cathy is awesome and brilliant and not afraid to be honest with me which is why she is my editor.”
H.L.
“Cathy Borders is a godsend to any writer! Whether you are a seasoned pro or a new and inexperienced writer (that’s me!) Cathy is your go to. Not only is she a talented, gifted writer and editor, but also a fantastic coach. Cathy is there for you to bounce ideas off of and ignite your imagination! I am so thankful I found her and encourage any writer who needs a second set of eyes and viewpoint to reach out to her- you will not be disappointed.”
Liz
“I started writing a novel a year ago, and after writing 27,000 words, and getting a few (discouraging) comments from other authors, who had not read my work, I got completely stuck. They told me my methodology was all wrong.. I couldn’t even reread what I had written. Cathy read the whole thing and answered my question “Is this worth continuing?” She was very encouraging, and after an hour’s discussion with her, and her magic therapy, I am now back on track. With her help, I WILL finish my story, and am feeling fantastic about it!”
Joanne Telser-Frere
“I am a better writer because of Cathy.”
Kailyne Waters
“I submitted a tome of seven hundred pages to Republic of Letters for editing. This was my first submission to an editor and I’m grateful and fortunate to have worked with this organization and Cathy Borders in particular. Despite that I have limited understanding in crafting a story, I never felt like the novice that I am. Cathy supported me every step of the way, encouraging questions and answering every one of them with clarity. Her edits were abundant (exactly what I needed) and her insights are of excellent value. I especially appreciate the one-on-one time she spent with me at the end of the project. I have come away from this process a better writer and a little wiser on how to express my opinions. Considering the scope of the project, the length of time it took to complete was very reasonable. I will, without hesitation, submit my next book to Republic of Letters.”
Michael Bauch
Let’s get your book organized.
Let’s find your artist’s voice.
Let’s break out of what you think a book should look like.
Let’s finish your book.
Wherein we meet for an hour (online or irl, if you’re local) and talk about your book.
Wherein I read up to 5000 words, then we meet for an hour and talk about your piece.
Tell me about your project!
Editing Services
Serving: St. Charles | Geneva | Batavia | Elburn | Galena | Dubuque | Peosta
(630) 567-5410
Cathy@cathyborders.com