Cheri Fields Editing

You've got the message,

I bring the polish!

"Thank you, Cheri! I’m so thankful that I found you! You helped me so very much! If I ever do another I will be calling:)" ~Stefanie Hinman children's and nonfiction author and therapist

"Thank you for doing this, and for persevering with me on those commas! I appreciate your comments, and your editing last time made me a better writer, as you pointed out many mistakes I was making that I am now always aware of." — Travis Snow author and Jewish apologist

As readers we don't have to think about it, but, as soon as we realize there is an idea or story inside of us, the process of getting a book into the world can become daunting.

Producing a book is a complex task

But it is doable and one of the first steps is to shape your manuscript so it shines. The best ideas in the world will struggle to find readers if the flow of thought and choice of words is confusing or dull. A book could have the most attractive cover and the most expensive marketing, but if the reading experience is clunky, no one will tell their friends they have to read it.

That's where I come into the team

It's your book, your baby. I help you shape your thoughts, stories, and mold your manuscript to best impact your audience. I love to come alongside new writers and help you learn to recognize your unique strengths and weaknesses so you not only shape your current project but gain the skill and insight to write with confidence and impact for the rest of your life.


Depending on your goals, I can help you connect with the rest of the team you'll need to bring your book to completion.

My specialties are:

  • Children's books for all ages

  • Nonfiction books of all sizes

  • Magazine articles

  • Blog posts and website content (especially your all-important About Page)

While I enjoy all kinds of topics, I have expertise in Christian living, theology, mental health, children's education, science, apologetics, children's fantasy, and all things for young readers.

Edits I Offer

Developmental Edit

For messy manuscripts where you know there are issues and you're ready to hammer them out!

Includes a complete read through of your manuscript, an editorial letter with strengths, weaknesses, and why I recommend the changes I'm making.

It includes suggested changes to the flow of ideas or storyline, with a strong emphasis on author voice (for nonfiction) and characterization (for fiction).

I'll let you know where the holes are as well as dealing with what's on the page.

Does not include grammar or punctuation since the assumption is it will take a lot of rewriting to reach that stage.

Starting at:

$0.45US per word

Critique

For manuscripts you know you need major help with, but feel stuck on where to go next. Essentially it's intensive writer coaching on the page.

Includes a complete read through of your manuscript, an editorial letter with strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for how to polish it yourself. A handful of comments to point out examples of specific issues.

Starting at:

$0.01US per word

Copy Edit

Only recommended for manuscripts where the flow and essentials are in place.

Includes a complete read through of your manuscript, an editorial letter with strengths, weaknesses, and why I recommend the changes I'm making. You have the option of only comments (more work to fix yourself) or have me directly edit with Track Changes on so you can see what I've adjusted.

Does include adjusting any grammar issues I spot on my single read through, but will still require a proofread.

Starting at: $0.024US per word

Picture Book Package

One of my favorite genres and one I'm always thrilled to help authors with since they affect the quality of life for families so deeply.

I offer a soup-to-nuts edit for any manuscript up to 2k words (I don't recommend more than 1k for a picture book). I can come in at any point after you've got words on the page and help you get it polished until all it needs is a final proofread (always have a new set of eyes for this stage if possible).

Flat Rate:

$250US

Find books I've edited that are available through Amazon at Reedsy.com:

You can start your journey...

of understanding what makes great writing work through my collection of LinkedIn articles:

  1. The Spectrum of Edits Your Book Needs

  2. Creativity is Messy

  3. Nothing New Under the Sun

  4. When I Sit Down to Read to my Little One

  5. Write Tight: a Nonfiction Author's Guide

  6. Your Reader is All That Matters

  7. Take Your Reader on a Journey

  8. Set the Tone with Symbolism

  9. Start at the End

  10. Your Reader isn't Omniscient

  11. Sketch the Setting

  12. Say What?! Orient Your Reader's Imagination

  13. Setting your Gemstones

  14. Writing Lessons from Piano and Theology (How to Get Through the "Messy Middle")

  15. The Fine Art of the Blog Article

More about me

I never left home for college; nothing felt like a good enough fit to put out such a vast amount of time and effort (piano pedagogy?)—and my family needed my help during that season. Instead, I started adding my parent's extensive library of serious Christian books to my steady diet of children's literature I read to myself and my young sisters. Eventually, as a young mom, I took the Institute for Children's Literature course and graduated with a recommendation to move on to their advanced level.


My goal was to earn money to help my kids go on missions trips, visit Israel to see the lands of the Bible for myself, and even get back to explore Germany where my bridegroom and I had spent three years as missionaries. Books have made such an impact on me I wanted to pass on what God gave me to bless a new generation; plus, it was something I could do as a stay-at-home mom surrounded by exuberant little people all day long.


Then, after starting my own science blog, I began receiving review copies of indie-published books produced by my fellow biblical creationists. It was painful for me to be excited about their message while seeing how many things could have been so much more effective if only they had tweaked this and restructured that.

When God helped me find out that the only Christian editor's conference in the country, PENCON, was happening in my town that year, I pounced on the opportunity. Everything they shared about big-picture (developmental/substantive) editing fit how I had been thinking for years. I realized this was part of what God had designed me for to best help his kingdom work.


I'm an INTJ, so one thing you are sure to have when I hand your manuscript back is a cohesive, logical framework. At the same time, I'm a mom of seven who cares deeply about the impact of story and relationship. I'm great at picturing what isn't there yet and adore all things in the creative realm. In fact, if you want a dry, academic end product, please pick someone else to help you!

  • I am currently the managing editor for The Creation Club for David Rives Ministries, daily polishing blog articles for all levels of authors.

  • I edit the Biblical Prophecy Magazine from soup to nuts for Eschatos Ministries.

  • I'm the assistant editor for the Creation Research Society's Creation Matters newsletter, helping primarily with lay-reader clarity.


I'm a certified gold member of the Christian PEN for nonfiction and children's editing:

Gold Member Badge The Christian PEN

My personal writing is available on Creation Science 4 Kids.com, along with my family's podcast. My eBook on creation science, Mysteries of Time and Creation, is available on all platforms.

My book on the other extreme of history:

The End: A Bible Prophecy Study for Teens is available in paperback and eBook.