"I felt in really safe hands with Kate. She was professional and efficient but also so careful about what I was trying to achieve. All my inconsistencies and grammatical horrors were picked up, but what was fantastic was that the suggestions made when sentences got muddled or wordy were in just the right tone. She also highlighted when elements did or didn’t connect with her as the reader which really helped me look at the manuscript afresh. I had thought it might feel like school but instead it was a partnership."

Catherine Samy

"Kate possesses a striking ability to inhabit and find resonance with a text. Her commitment as a close reader comes clear in her reflections on style, character, setting and detail; you couldn't wish for a more thorough, loving and connective response to your fiction."

Tatiana Strauss

"Kate Pemberton is an insightful writing mentor and editor full of practical editorial advice and inspirational guidance. Kate offers her thoughtful views on book structure and gives detailed feedback on chapter extracts ranging from how to improve dialogue to making characters more believable. She has a brilliant eye for detail on style and grammar and is excellent at fact checking, asking those niggly questions that a reader may ask.

Kate also has a wider knowledge of the literary landscape and offers informed thoughts on potential courses and events that may be worth considering to improve writing techniques and learn more about the publishing industry.

I wholeheartedly recommend working with Kate who is a positive mentor and writerly guide who can help you on your writing journey to achieve your ambitions."

Louise Gray

"Kate very kindly helped me with the process of finishing a novel I had been working on forever. I doubt I could have finished it without her support which involved general comments on plot, character and style as well as proofreading and copy-editing. She also offered psychological support. I shall always be very grateful."

Ellen Fairfax

Kate got me excited to work on my children's picture book again which I had been working on and off for twelve years. We worked closely together reviewing and improving the text to make sure it flowed seamlessly with my illustrations. Everything Kate suggested made clear sense to the story and felt right. Kate’s experience and enthusiasm really helped me get my submission package (including the all important cover letter) ready to send to potential agents. It was a true partnership. I am dyslexic and could not have done this without Kate’s meticulous attention to detail spotting any grammatical errors while maintaining the voice of the characters. Kate is a truly gifted editor who is passionate about storytelling and a total joy to work with.

Sophie Mayor

"You gave my book almost as close attention reading it as I had given writing it.
Although I had worked on my book for seven years, you made clearer to me the strengths and weaknesses in a number of areas, including the opening; the characters’ similarities; the use of first-person point-of-view; and the book’s title. 

You were the right editor for me: thorough, insightful and succinct – in short an editor who is ‘sympathetic to the enterprise but critical of the means of going about achieving it.’ Perhaps most of all, you gave me encouragement. I could not have hoped for more."
Jeff Probst

Kate is kind, thoughtful, and deeply insightful about writing and the process of bringing a book into life. She brings with her decades of experience as an editor and brilliant writer herself, but she is entirely respectful of her clients' individual style and unique desires for their project. She is the warmest of cheerleaders, a sensitive sounding board, a penetrating critic when you need it – and she will help get you over that finish line with grace and finesse. I cannot recommend her services highly enough.

Rose Alexander

Kate worked at Ambit magazine for many years and was one of the mainstays not only of magazine production but also in spotting, nurturing and encouraging exciting new writers. Her editorial skills are exemplary and she understands how the shaping of a piece of writing can take if from good to great. Her understanding of the intricacies of grammar and the English language were a huge help in proofreading, such an essential part of any writer's tool kit.
Briony Bax, MBE

Working with Kate was an absolute joy. Her editorial approach is professional, warm and deeply engaging — she really understands the rhythm and heart of a picture book. Kate has a wonderful knack for tightening rhyme, refining pacing and helping every line shine, while always keeping the author’s voice intact. Her feedback is clear, encouraging and thoughtful, and her pricing is very reasonable for the quality of insight she provides. I came away feeling inspired, confident, and eager to write more.

Siân Hughes (Betty and Toff children's picturebook series)