Editing

Photo by Claudine Moore

As a writer and editor, Christina Baker Kline offers a variety of services, including manuscript evaluation, developmental and line editing, consultation on book proposals and concept development, ghostwriting and collaboration. (Incidentally, every book proposal Christina has worked on has sold to a major publisher.) She also consults individually as a writing coach, in person or on the phone. This includes addressing writers’ block, fears, insecurities, and problems with plot and character development. She works with new writers as well as authors under contract; recent clients include authors at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Seal Press, Oxford University Press, Bloomsbury USA, and Norton, among others.

Find out more about Editing Services here.

Testimonials

"There is no better editor than Christina Baker Kline. Her insights are truly impressive. She gently coaxes you to understand and then communicate what might be in your head but not yet on paper. With care, consummate skill, and respect, she helps you craft your manuscript and bring it to life. She's a gifted and compassionate editor; I cannot recommend her too highly."

- Judy Goldman, novelist, memoirist, and poet

"What Christina Baker Kline offers is priceless.  She is at once the unflinching critic every writer requires and the advocate of a writer's dreams.  When she takes on your manuscript she sifts out the truth of the story with speed, accuracy, and craft, empowering you with her insight.  So when you're locked in mortal struggle with your manuscript, fighting for the elusive qualities that make a story sing -- voice, place, character, storyline -- you can have confidence that Christina is quietly alongside you, the seasoned pro in your corner."

- John Wyatt, commenting on his memoir-in-progress, Busride to Dumas

"Christina Baker Kline is that unusual combination of clear-sighted editor and sympathetic, insightful writer. She not only sees where a manuscript needs to be; she understands, with a fullness of heart, the artistic process needed to bring a work to light. She has been a godsend to me for my novel-in-progress and other work."

- Marina Budhos, author of Ask Me No Questions and other books

"When Christina Baker Kline works with a manuscript, she has that uncanny ability to see into the heart and soul of the work while it is still in progress, and to imagine the best possible work that can be made of what is still imperfect and unformed. Her advice is specific and sound and sends the writer back to the desk with an eagerness to implement suggestions that let the work move to a deeper level of complexity and originality."

- Louise DeSalvo, memoirist; the Jenny Hunter Endowed Scholar for Creative Writing and Literature at Hunter College

“I hired Christina Baker Kline to edit my first novel, and it was the best professional decision I've ever made. Christina dove into my novel with all the intelligence, insight, enthusiasm, and passion I could have asked for, and then some. Throughout the process she's kept me encouraged, challenged, thoughtful, and excited about writing the best book I can (maybe better), and she's always a phone call away during those "Why did I ever start this" moments. My book is a thousand times better because of her, and the world is a better place because she's in it. If you do one thing for yourself as a writer: Hire Christina!”

- Meredith Maran, author of several best-selling books of nonfiction, and The Surrogate, her novel-in-progress

"Christina is the colleague I turn to for advice on the most bedeviling editorial problems, from something specific like how to navigate a troublesome switch in point of view to a more global issues like how to make characters more sympathetic. She's read the first drafts of my last three novels and given me fabulous insights that helped enormously in making them the best books they could be. I enthusiastically recommend her to any writer in search of a capable, insightful, sensitive editor who can not only tell you what's wrong with your book, but exactly how to fix it.”

- Pamela Redmond Satran, author of four novels -- The Man I Should Have Married, Babes In Captivity, Younger, and Suburbanistas -- all published by Simon & Schuster's Downtown Press, as well as eight non-fiction books.

“Christina Baker Kline has a wonderful talent for comprehending the complexities and intentions of an author's work and then suggesting clear solutions for complicated problems. I respect her intelligence and her editorial method enormously.”

- Alice Elliott Dark, author of three books of fiction and Writer-in-Residence at Rutgers University

“Working with Christina is a true pleasure. From her first review of my manuscript, a little less than a year ago, until now, she continues to open up the deeper levels of my writing with her subtle, on-the-mark observations. Christina’s wonderful blend of technical insight and emotional support feels like a Super Food that has helped me go the distance.”

- Dara Lurie, commenting on her memoir-in-progress, Great Space of Desire

“Christina Baker Kline is a writers’ editor. Her respect for the creative process, her valuable insight, and prophetic advice were invaluable to me as an author. Constructive comment and a firm understanding of what it takes to complete a novel is what makes her an ally in a very lonely endeavor.”

- Jerry Mosier, commenting on his novel-in-process, My Lies in Advertising

"Not only is Christina a first-rate editor, but she is also always accessible when I need her. As an author, that's exceptionally important. Also crucial, and I could argue just as important, is that working with Christina has been an absolute pleasure. I feel lucky to have worked with her on my latest book."

- Allison Gilbert, author of Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents

"I asked Ms. Baker Kline to read what I thought was the finished version of my children's story written in verse, The Me I See, before I sent it off to publishers. I am so glad I enlisted her input first. Ms. Baker Kline's clear notes, clean edits and honest critique helped me see my own work with fresh eyes. Several drafts later, my story is stronger, richer and ultimately of a much higher caliber. Working with Ms. Baker Kline was like taking a master class in verse. My story is now truly ready for the publishing world, and I am a better writer for the experience."

- Jillian DiGiacomo, commenting on her children's book, The Me I See