First Chapter

A great way to get started. Up to 5,000 words.

$199$149

Thoughtful read through of first chapter
Completed First Chapter Rubric
45-minute Zoom call to discuss your chapter
30 days of follow-up email communication

Story Diagnostic

Up to 60,000 words, $275 for each 10,000 additional words

$1,499

Thoughtful read through of entire manuscript
Completed Story Rubric (See FAQ)
60-minute Zoom call to discuss your manuscript
Unlimited follow-up email communication
Audio and video recording of 60-minute Zoom call
Free digital download of THREE STORY METHOD
Guaranteed completion in 60 days or less
FREE membership in TASM for 1 YEAR (See FAQ.)

See FAQ below.

Final Chapter Coaching*** (includes Story Diagnostic)

Up to 60,000 words, $440 for each 10,000 additional words

$2,699

STORY DIAGNOSTIC with all the benefits listed
Coaching service
Line edit, or substantive (see note below)
30-minute coaching calls, number based on MS length
Audio and video recordings of coaching calls
Free teaching resources and brochures provided
Unlimited follow-up email communication

Testimonials

I would recommend her to any author who wants to produce a high-quality reader experience.

I’ve worked with Kathrese on three projects. Each time she amazed me with her ability to strengthen my prose, catch details I’ve missed, and enhance the impact of my stories while staying true to their heart. She’s also incredibly organized and thorough, so I can rest easy knowing my manuscripts are in such great hands. I would recommend her to any author who wants to produce a high-quality reader experience.

Kaylin Lee

The Destined Series

I recommend her work!

Kathrese at Word Marker Edits is professional and thorough. She brings her experience to help you make your story better. She explains the reasoning behind her edits so that you grow in your writing craft. I recommend her work!

Tricia Mingerink

Beyond the Tales series

No question that I will go to her in the future.

What sold me was Kathrese’s approach. Instead of editing my novel in its entirety, she edited it in sections so I could apply what I learned to the next section before sending it to her. And learn a lot I did, from strengthening characters to the finer points of style and wording. No question that I will go to her in the future.

Anne H. Campbell

Journey to Freedom series

I highly recommend
her services.

Kathrese has served as the editor for two of my books and I can truly say she has helped me
“prepare my story for the journey ahead”. Besides bringing her expertise to my writing projects,
Kathrese also exhibits enthusiasm and encouragement during the process. I highly recommend
her services.

Marilyn Peveto

When Your Heart Endures

She’s a detail-oriented editor for writers who need a logical, linear thought process applied to their fiction.

I have given over my manuscripts and my self esteem to Kathrese, my writing and critique partner, and she miraculously improves both! Not only does she ferret out my inconsistencies and plot convolutions, but she also handles my sensitive writer’s ego with care and gentleness. She’s a detail-oriented editor for writers who need a logical, linear thought process applied to their fiction.

Laura Anderson Kurk

Glass Girl & Perfect Glass

I never want to release a title she hasn’t had her eyes on.

Kathrese blew me away with an almost superhuman attention to detail for everything from grammar to quietly lurking formatting issues. I never want to release a title she hasn’t had her eyes on.

Nancy Kimball

Chasing the Lion

I appreciated how she took the time to turn nearly every correction into a “teaching moment.”

As an indie author, I wanted to publish the best possible product, and Kathrese helped me to do just that. Her keen eyes spotted many things that I would have found in the work of others but missed in my own work because I was too engrossed in the flow of the story. I appreciated how she took the time to turn nearly every correction into a “teaching moment,” which served to strengthen my writing skills. I will pass each of my future books in front of her detail-oriented eyes for sure!

Beth Steury

Choices Matter series

She not only found a plot hole in my suspense novel, but suggested a way to solve it.

I recommend Word Marker Edits for your editing needs. Kathrese is knowledgeable and fun to work with. She not only found a plot hole in my suspense novel, but suggested a way to solve it. I appreciated her dedication to my story. She definitely improved it, and she’ll improve yours, too.

Mary L. Hamilton

Pendant

Frequently Asked Questions

The Story Rubric is simply a means of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript covering: Genre, Character, Worldbuilding, Wants & Needs, Showing vs. Telling, Passive Voice, Theme, and The Three Cs.

The Story Rubric, created by J. Thorn, is used by all Three Story Method Certified Editors to streamline the editing and revision process for short and long form fiction.

You’re looking for more than a community of writers; you’re looking for a family of writers like The Authors Success Mastermind who offer personal and thoughtful conversations about craft, marketing, publishing, productivity, and mindset without all of the online posturing and one-upmanship flooding the online spaces. With the Story Diagnostic service, you will receive a free year of membership in TASM, a $480 value.

Final Chapter Coaching is intended to get you to The End. Revisions are often a grueling process; coaching and accountability can make all the difference.

Coaching consists of recorded Zoom calls (usually 3-5 sessions total) in 30-minute increments regarding revised passages of limited size. The number of sessions varies, depending on the length of the manuscript. My notes and the recordings are available after each session.

This process is no substitute for a copyedit or proofreading which you should hire out after your book is complete.

Substantive edits are only available to current customers who have been through a Story Diagnostic for the same manuscript.

Line edits are available to previous customers or to current customers who have been through a Story Diagnostic for the same manuscript.

Copyediting and proofreading services are no longer offered by Writing Pursuits, but I will be happy to refer you to other qualified editors.

Writing Pursuits, Since 2014

Prepare your story for the journey ahead.

Kathrese McKee has been editing fiction since 2014. Writing Pursuits, formerly Word Marker Edits, is here for the long haul. When you type The End, it’s only the beginning. From first chapter to last, let an experienced editor with solid references help you polish your manuscript.