Kayleigh | Developmental Editor ✍🏻📚
@editsinthemargins.com
I help writers to shape their stories and hone their skills via developmental editing, coaching, beta reading, workshopping, and more.
As a writer, I enjoy kid lit and exploring fantastical worlds. 🐉
https://editsinthemargins.com/social
As a writer, I enjoy kid lit and exploring fantastical worlds. 🐉
https://editsinthemargins.com/social
Pinned
The secret menu is not so secret anymore! (Well, there are still a couple things on there. 😉)
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
Ah, there are those storm winds.
September 26, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Ah, there are those storm winds.
Oh, headache hat, how I love you.
September 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Oh, headache hat, how I love you.
✨Friday Tip✨
Writers, you should start thinking about your marketing strategy early—even while you're still revising.
I’ve never been a fan of the phrase “kill your darlings” when we can keep them around to use later.
So if you’re cutting major chapters and scenes, don't throw them away! ⬇️
Writers, you should start thinking about your marketing strategy early—even while you're still revising.
I’ve never been a fan of the phrase “kill your darlings” when we can keep them around to use later.
So if you’re cutting major chapters and scenes, don't throw them away! ⬇️
September 25, 2026 at 2:03 PM
✨Friday Tip✨
Writers, you should start thinking about your marketing strategy early—even while you're still revising.
I’ve never been a fan of the phrase “kill your darlings” when we can keep them around to use later.
So if you’re cutting major chapters and scenes, don't throw them away! ⬇️
Writers, you should start thinking about your marketing strategy early—even while you're still revising.
I’ve never been a fan of the phrase “kill your darlings” when we can keep them around to use later.
So if you’re cutting major chapters and scenes, don't throw them away! ⬇️
Found the leak last night, not where I expected it to be, and when I dropped it off this morning they let me know that a recall literally just went out for failure in the rear brake lines. 🤯
OK: Since my car window chaos of August, my brake fluid alert went off (filled it), then a tire sensor failed, and then the brake fluid alert went off again today. My brain tries to rationalize first: is it possible that the battery dying/being reset due to the August stuff messed with sensors? 🤔
September 25, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Found the leak last night, not where I expected it to be, and when I dropped it off this morning they let me know that a recall literally just went out for failure in the rear brake lines. 🤯
The MG I'm editing turned out to actually be a chonky chapter book—just confirmed with the author. That means it needs to be scaled back to meet word count expectations (love chopping) and that all of my notes from read one need to be reconsidered given the differences in CB vs. MG storytelling. 😫
September 24, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The MG I'm editing turned out to actually be a chonky chapter book—just confirmed with the author. That means it needs to be scaled back to meet word count expectations (love chopping) and that all of my notes from read one need to be reconsidered given the differences in CB vs. MG storytelling. 😫
Reminder that I have an opening in late-November for a developmental edit on a manuscript up to 80k (or smaller edits totaling up to that if a few of you have some kidlit on your hands)! After that, we're looking at March 2027. 😊
editsinthemargins.com/developmenta...
editsinthemargins.com/developmenta...
Developmental Editing - In the Margins Editing & Writing Services
editsinthemargins.com
September 24, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Reminder that I have an opening in late-November for a developmental edit on a manuscript up to 80k (or smaller edits totaling up to that if a few of you have some kidlit on your hands)! After that, we're looking at March 2027. 😊
editsinthemargins.com/developmenta...
editsinthemargins.com/developmenta...
OK: Since my car window chaos of August, my brake fluid alert went off (filled it), then a tire sensor failed, and then the brake fluid alert went off again today. My brain tries to rationalize first: is it possible that the battery dying/being reset due to the August stuff messed with sensors? 🤔
September 24, 2026 at 2:53 PM
OK: Since my car window chaos of August, my brake fluid alert went off (filled it), then a tire sensor failed, and then the brake fluid alert went off again today. My brain tries to rationalize first: is it possible that the battery dying/being reset due to the August stuff messed with sensors? 🤔
Reposted by Kayleigh | Developmental Editor ✍🏻📚
Do you have a new short story out today/this week?
If you do, share it with a comment OR a quote post!
Don't forget to add
> the hashtag #StorySky
> a link to your new story
> genre details
> any alt text for images
#ReaderSky #ShortStory #AuthorSky #IndieAuthor
If you do, share it with a comment OR a quote post!
Don't forget to add
> the hashtag #StorySky
> a link to your new story
> genre details
> any alt text for images
#ReaderSky #ShortStory #AuthorSky #IndieAuthor
September 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Do you have a new short story out today/this week?
If you do, share it with a comment OR a quote post!
Don't forget to add
> the hashtag #StorySky
> a link to your new story
> genre details
> any alt text for images
#ReaderSky #ShortStory #AuthorSky #IndieAuthor
If you do, share it with a comment OR a quote post!
Don't forget to add
> the hashtag #StorySky
> a link to your new story
> genre details
> any alt text for images
#ReaderSky #ShortStory #AuthorSky #IndieAuthor
"Some developmental editors approach the edit like they're readers."
NO, we freakin' don't. A trained, professional developmental editor will *consider* the reader, but we will not approach it *like* the reader. This is a scam line that I see low-charging, untrained/AI editors use.
NO, we freakin' don't. A trained, professional developmental editor will *consider* the reader, but we will not approach it *like* the reader. This is a scam line that I see low-charging, untrained/AI editors use.
September 24, 2026 at 11:43 AM
"Some developmental editors approach the edit like they're readers."
NO, we freakin' don't. A trained, professional developmental editor will *consider* the reader, but we will not approach it *like* the reader. This is a scam line that I see low-charging, untrained/AI editors use.
NO, we freakin' don't. A trained, professional developmental editor will *consider* the reader, but we will not approach it *like* the reader. This is a scam line that I see low-charging, untrained/AI editors use.
Sitting here wondering why I'm a menace and realized I forgot to eat lunch. Womp womp.
September 23, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Sitting here wondering why I'm a menace and realized I forgot to eat lunch. Womp womp.
A friend has discovered romantasy and keeps sending me funny related reels. Except they are all referring to romantasy as fantasy—a pet peeve.
Romantasy is a hybrid of romance/fantasy in which, if the romance is removed, the plot fails. In fantasy, if a romantic subplot is removed, the plot's fine.
Romantasy is a hybrid of romance/fantasy in which, if the romance is removed, the plot fails. In fantasy, if a romantic subplot is removed, the plot's fine.
September 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
A friend has discovered romantasy and keeps sending me funny related reels. Except they are all referring to romantasy as fantasy—a pet peeve.
Romantasy is a hybrid of romance/fantasy in which, if the romance is removed, the plot fails. In fantasy, if a romantic subplot is removed, the plot's fine.
Romantasy is a hybrid of romance/fantasy in which, if the romance is removed, the plot fails. In fantasy, if a romantic subplot is removed, the plot's fine.
Me: Okay, time to get back into this edit.
Also me: *watches several reels of a swordsmith making tiny swords for his kittens*
Also me: *watches several reels of a swordsmith making tiny swords for his kittens*
September 23, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Me: Okay, time to get back into this edit.
Also me: *watches several reels of a swordsmith making tiny swords for his kittens*
Also me: *watches several reels of a swordsmith making tiny swords for his kittens*
✨ Writing Prompt ✨
Name ONE truth that your protagonist can’t face about themselves.
Write a scene to show how this knowledge impacts their behavior.
#WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
Name ONE truth that your protagonist can’t face about themselves.
Write a scene to show how this knowledge impacts their behavior.
#WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
September 23, 2026 at 1:24 PM
✨ Writing Prompt ✨
Name ONE truth that your protagonist can’t face about themselves.
Write a scene to show how this knowledge impacts their behavior.
#WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
Name ONE truth that your protagonist can’t face about themselves.
Write a scene to show how this knowledge impacts their behavior.
#WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
If I'm crabby today, it's because my neighbor's son was blasting music at 1am that I could hear (and feel!) in my bedroom, which does ~not~ share a wall with their place. 🥱😴
September 22, 2026 at 2:04 PM
If I'm crabby today, it's because my neighbor's son was blasting music at 1am that I could hear (and feel!) in my bedroom, which does ~not~ share a wall with their place. 🥱😴
Yes, can we please go back to this? Are used to be about authentic voices, experiences, and perspectives, not whatever everyone thinks will sell best. 
My current publishing hot take is that you shouldn't write books you think literary agents will like & instead write books YOU & READERS will like. I fully expect arguments and complaints in the comments, but remember--I'm on your side.
www.agentsandbooks.com/stop-writing...
#booksky #writersky
www.agentsandbooks.com/stop-writing...
#booksky #writersky
September 22, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Yes, can we please go back to this? Are used to be about authentic voices, experiences, and perspectives, not whatever everyone thinks will sell best. 
✨ Question of the Week ✨
What music did you listen to when working on your last story or edit? How did it help you to write or work?
Share your playlist.
What music did you listen to when working on your last story or edit? How did it help you to write or work?
Share your playlist.
September 22, 2026 at 12:01 PM
✨ Question of the Week ✨
What music did you listen to when working on your last story or edit? How did it help you to write or work?
Share your playlist.
What music did you listen to when working on your last story or edit? How did it help you to write or work?
Share your playlist.
The secret menu is not so secret anymore! (Well, there are still a couple things on there. 😉)
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
September 21, 2026 at 3:34 PM
The secret menu is not so secret anymore! (Well, there are still a couple things on there. 😉)
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
I've officially created pages on my site detailing my Outline Critique, Discovery Draft Evaluation, and Picture Book Evaluation services! Links in the comments. 💜
It seems we've entered the time of year when I begin my standoff with the cold weather. I refuse to turn the heat on until Nov. 1, so time to bundle up. 😂
September 21, 2026 at 2:57 PM
It seems we've entered the time of year when I begin my standoff with the cold weather. I refuse to turn the heat on until Nov. 1, so time to bundle up. 😂
Welcome to another great Monday, everyone!
I’m onto my next developmental edit, this time on a short middle grade adventure, so it should be a quick(er) turnaround.
What are you looking forward to checking off your checklist?
I’m onto my next developmental edit, this time on a short middle grade adventure, so it should be a quick(er) turnaround.
What are you looking forward to checking off your checklist?
September 21, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Welcome to another great Monday, everyone!
I’m onto my next developmental edit, this time on a short middle grade adventure, so it should be a quick(er) turnaround.
What are you looking forward to checking off your checklist?
I’m onto my next developmental edit, this time on a short middle grade adventure, so it should be a quick(er) turnaround.
What are you looking forward to checking off your checklist?
A man on Threads, who has "edited" 2 books in 30 yrs, is claiming editors charge too much. His "evidence"? He says a 100k developmental edit should only take 20 hours—10 to read, 10 for edits. This shows a complete fundamental lack of understanding about what goes into a developmental (or any) edit.
September 18, 2026 at 4:24 PM
A man on Threads, who has "edited" 2 books in 30 yrs, is claiming editors charge too much. His "evidence"? He says a 100k developmental edit should only take 20 hours—10 to read, 10 for edits. This shows a complete fundamental lack of understanding about what goes into a developmental (or any) edit.
Theft of words, theft of art. If you're using generative AI for anything, you bear that weight and shame.
Eye popping. Court just unsealed Summary Judgment motions in New York Times v OpenAI / Microsoft.
Easy to see why the AI companies had so many redactions (pink). Their own people wrote the lede for NYT, the "largest theft of labor in human history"... "more and more substitutive..." /1
Easy to see why the AI companies had so many redactions (pink). Their own people wrote the lede for NYT, the "largest theft of labor in human history"... "more and more substitutive..." /1
September 18, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Theft of words, theft of art. If you're using generative AI for anything, you bear that weight and shame.
✨ Friday Tip ✨
Are you struggling with costs associated with self-publishing, such as professional editing, cover design, formatting, etc.? There may be a grant for that!
A lot of writers don’t realize there are funds available across all genres to support them in their creative endeavors. ⬇️
Are you struggling with costs associated with self-publishing, such as professional editing, cover design, formatting, etc.? There may be a grant for that!
A lot of writers don’t realize there are funds available across all genres to support them in their creative endeavors. ⬇️
September 18, 2026 at 1:04 PM
✨ Friday Tip ✨
Are you struggling with costs associated with self-publishing, such as professional editing, cover design, formatting, etc.? There may be a grant for that!
A lot of writers don’t realize there are funds available across all genres to support them in their creative endeavors. ⬇️
Are you struggling with costs associated with self-publishing, such as professional editing, cover design, formatting, etc.? There may be a grant for that!
A lot of writers don’t realize there are funds available across all genres to support them in their creative endeavors. ⬇️
Because my job is to find the holes in a manuscript and to take a magnifying glass to the characters and world, anytime I send a feedback package to a client, it comes with a little anxiety. It's so nice to get these emails shortly after. 💜
September 17, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Because my job is to find the holes in a manuscript and to take a magnifying glass to the characters and world, anytime I send a feedback package to a client, it comes with a little anxiety. It's so nice to get these emails shortly after. 💜
