AWARD-WINNING & BEST-SELLING BOOKS EDITED BY KRISTEN CORRECTS, INC.

The relationship between an author and his or her editor is critical. With the optimal balance of open communication and clear goals, the right book editor can help an author transform a book from a “good” manuscript to a bestselling novel.

As a book editor, I read for a living (and yes, it’s as awesome as you think it would be). Having the opportunity to edit and improve a book from a rough draft to a polished product is a fantastic thing. In my work since 2012, I’ve edited some excellent books . . . and some that have shot to or near the top of Amazon bestsellers lists in their respective genres. Below is a list authors whose books (edited by Kristen Corrects, Inc.!) have done exceedingly well (Top 20 or higher on Amazon best-seller lists, Amazon’s Best Book of the Month, or won an award) by indie author standards.

A Maiden in the Foxcombe by Tanya SM Kennedy

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Tanya SM Kennedy’s fantasy novel A Maiden in the Foxcombe was selected as Top Pick for the 2021 Reader Ready Awards! It also took the Gold Medal in the Sword & Sorcery category for the 2022 Global Book Awards.

In 2020 I did a manuscript critique, followed by a line edit and copyedit on A Maiden in the Foxcombe. This was Tanya’s fifth book that I edited, and my favorite of hers. Since its release, the book has gotten rave reviews.

AN ASSASSIN’S REDEMPTION BY TANYA SM KENNEDY

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Tanya SM Kennedy’s fantasy novel An Assassin’s Redemption was marked as Recommended Read for the 2021 Reader Ready Awards! In 2017 I did a manuscript critique, followed by a line edit and copyedit on An Assassin’s Redemption.

Baghdaddy by Bill Riley

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Bill Riley’s debut memoir took First Place – Gold in the memoir category for the Military Writers Society of America 2019 awards! Baghdaddy also received special recognition in the form of the Founder’s Award for memoir, and won Best New Non-Fiction at the American Book Fest’s 2019 Best Book Awards! Baghdaddy also won the Best New Voice – Nonfiction silver award at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for 2020!

In 2017 I completed a line edit and copyedit on Baghdaddy, then wrote a synopsis and query letter for the author. Bill then took the manuscript to Brown Books, where it was further edited before publication in 2019.

Blood Cure by K.R. Willis

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

The first in the supernatural Keira Blackwater series by K.R. Willis, Blood Cure soared to the top of the Amazon bestsellers lists, becoming a quintuple bestseller: 

  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Occult Supernatural genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Classic Cars genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Women’s Adventure genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Action & Adventure – Fantasy genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Contemporary genre

It also cracked the Top 100 books on Amazon overall, becoming the #60 most popular book across the entire Amazon store in May 2018. I completed a manuscript critique then a copyedit on Blood Cure. The book has been a major success, securing over thirty 5-star reviews on Amazon by the time of this publication.

Blood for Blood by K.R. Willis

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Blood for Blood, book 2 of the Keira Blackwater series, reached #19 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Teen & Young Adult Geography & Cultures – US genre. I completed a manuscript critique then a copyedit.

Blood for Blood and the first book Blood Cure were approved for the aptitude reading tests for grades 9 and 10 in her nearby Oklahoma school district, and the series was added to the curriculum.

BLOODY COFFEE BY MICHELLE DIM-ST. PIERRE

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

In 2019, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre’s second book was named as an Honorable Mention in the General Fiction category in the New York Book Festival, the Paris Book Festival, the London Book Festival, and the Florida Book Festival! I completed a line edit and a copyedit on Bloody Coffee.

Boomsters by David Marks

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Boomsters by David Marks won several awards after its publication:

In 2022 I did a line edit on Boomsters before the book was published with Wheatmark.

CORNERED BY ALAN BRENHAM

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Cornered was featured as Amazon’s Best Book of the Month (May 2015) and has garnered positive reviews from USA Today bestselling authors and Amazon Top-100 reviewers. I completed a line edit on Cornered. 

Crunching Numbers by Jason Fitzgerald & Vijay Natarajan

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Crunching Numbers by Jason Fitzgerald & Vijay Natarajan reached #7 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the American Football genre (March 2017). Crunching Numbers has also been mentioned on CNBC, ESPN, ESPN (again!) and Yahoo Finance. I provided a line edit and a copyedit on Crunching Numbers.

HOT ICE, COLD BLOOD BY HOLLY SPOFFORD

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Holly Spofford’s crime thriller Hot Ice, Cold Blood became a multiple award winner:

In 2020 I did a manuscript critique, pointing out big-picture issues. After Holly made the changes, I followed up with a line edit and copyedit on the book.

IN THE SHADOW OF LIGHT BY TRACY CAUSLEY

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

In the Shadow of Light won the Bronze Medal for Best First Book – Fiction in the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards! I did a big-picture developmental edit on Tracy’s book. 

I Can See For Miles by Hollie Stuart

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Hollie Stuart’s debut memoir was an instant success, netting thirteen awards:

In April 2023, the book became the #1 bestselling book in Oklahoma, outselling Killers of the Flower Moon. In November 2023, the book became a #1 Amazon bestseller in the East Africa Travel genre.

I did a developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit on this book in 2021, then another copyedit in 2022 after the author made changes.

Lies of the Magpie by Maleah Day Warner

Copyedited by Kristen Hamilton

Maleah Day Warner’s debut memoir Lies of the Magpie became a triple Amazon bestseller (June 2020): 

  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Breastfeeding genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints genre
  • #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Arizona Travel Guides genre

Lies of the Magpie also took First Place in the 2020 Association for Mormon Letters awards for the Creative Nonfiction category. Most recently, it was selected as the Winner for the prestigious Author Elite Awards Memoir & Biography category! Lies of the Magpie also became a Finalist for the 2021 American Book Fest for the Narrative Nonfiction Category.

Working in conjunction with Kimberly Clement, who did the line edits, I provided the final copyedit on Lies of the Magpie. Maleah took the book to be published at Author Academy Elite.

Mimi and the Banker by Sharon Hughson

Manuscript critique by Kristen Hamilton

Sharon Hughson’s romance novel Mimi and the Banker reached #11 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Friendship Fiction genre in March 2019! Mimi and the Banker shared this list with Fredrik Backman’s 2014 New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove. 

I did a manuscript critique on Mimi and the Banker, pointing out big-picture issues with character development, tension, and plot inconsistencies.

Nad of NAdidé by Wagih Abu-Rish

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Wagih Abu-Rish’s romance novel Nad of Nadidé took the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in 2022 and the 2022 Firebird Awards.

I did a developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit, the three services included in my Ultimate editing package. I also took on the role of project manager, coordinating efforts with a book formatter and proofreader and creating materials for Wagih’s newsletter.

ON DARING AND LIFE BY ALICIA ANDERSON

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

On Daring and Life received recognition for one of Amazon’s Best Books of 2015 and was named Amazon’s Best Book of the Month (July 2015). I completed a full edit on Alicia’s book: developmental editing, line editing, then copyediting.

OPPOSABLE BY KIRK HAMMOND

Copyedited by Kristen Hamilton

Kirk Hammond’s humorous sci-fi novel Opposable became a Finalist for the 2020 EVVY awards. In 2019 I did a copyedit, following a style sheet as the project’s final editor. According to an EVVY report, some of the strongest praise was around pacing and flow of the novel.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS BY STEPHANIE MOSSI

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Stephanie Mossi’s debut memoir Out of the Darkness took the Bronze prize for the Nonfiction Book Awards, put on by the Nonfiction Authors Association. In 2019 I did a manuscript critique, line edit, and copyedit on the book.

PAY ATTENTION TO ME BY KELLY SOUTH

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Pay Attention to Me, a memoir of Borderline Personality Disorder by Kelly South, was named a Finalist for the International Book Awards in the category of Creative nonfiction, and nominated for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. I did developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting on the memoir in 2022.

PINNACLE LUST BY MICHELLE DIM-ST. PIERRE

Copyedited by Kristen Hamilton

In 2015, Pinnacle Lust won 9 awards at various contests, including Best Romance and Best General Fiction book at the Beach Book Contest. I served as the final copyeditor for Pinnacle Lust in 2014.

Praesidium by McKinley Aspen

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

McKinley Aspen’s first book of the Shadows of the Wind series won multiple awards:

  • First Place – Gold in the 2022 Illumination Awards – Fiction category
  • First Place in The 2023 BREW Awards – Urban Fiction category
  • First Place in the 2022 Firebird Awards – Action Adventure category
  • First Place in the 2022 Firebird Awards – Mystery category
  • First Place in the 2022 Firebird Awards – Urban Fantasy category
  • First Place in the 2022 Firebird Awards – Best Cover Design category

The book was praised by Kirkus Reviews for being “a brisk, entertaining, tale of down-to-earth superheroes.”

In 2020 I did several rounds of developmental editing, followed by line editing and copyediting on Praesidium. McKinley then took the book to Muse Literary for publication.

Resurrectionists by Lou Paduano

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Author Lou Paduano is known for his supernatural/paranormal Greystone series, and his prequel Resurrectionists became a double Amazon best seller, reaching #5 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Fantasy – Superhero genre and a #14 Amazon Best Seller in the Horror – Occult genre (May 2017). I completed a line edit and a copyedit on Resurrectionists. 

Snap Decision by Holly Spofford

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Holly Spofford’s thriller Snap Decision received the Literary Titan Gold Award, awarded to books “that represent an extraordinary achievement in the literary world,” particularly those with “the meticulous development of unique characters…presented in an authentically engaging context.”

In 2023 I did a manuscript critique on Snap Decision, followed by line edits and copyedits.

SOLAR WINDS: PROVIDENCE ENDS BY BRYAN G. SHEWMAKER

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

In June 2017, Providence Ends reached #10 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Space Opera genre, and #9 on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Military Sci-Fi genre. I completed a manuscript critique, then a copyedit on Bryan’s debut work.

Some Call It Life, Others Call It Faith by C.M. Hodges

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

C.M. Hodges’ debut novel became a #2 Amazon Best Seller in the Religious & Liturgical genre (August 2015). I did a line edit and copyedit on C.M.’s book.

THE BATTLE FOR TRIMERA BY TANYA SM KENNEDY

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Tanya SM Kennedy’s fantasy novel The Battle for Trimera was selected as Recommended Read for the 2021 Reader Ready Awards! In 2022, Kirkus Reviews shortlisted it as one of 33 Great Indie Books Worth Discovering. The Battle for Trimera also went on to become a triple Amazon bestseller in March 2022:

  • #1 Amazon bestseller in Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy eBooks
  • #1 Amazon bestseller in Coming of Age Fantasy eBooks
  • #1 Amazon bestseller in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Girls’ & Women’s Issues (Kindle Store)

In 2017 I did a manuscript critique, followed by a line edit and copyedit on The Battle for Trimera.

The Devastation of Bartholomew Ka by Sunshine Knight

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

The first book in the Ka ghost story series by Sunshine Knight took First Place in the BookFest Awards in the Fiction – Supernatural Ghosts category and First Place in the Fiction – Women’s Horror category! I did a line edit and copyedit on this book in 2022.

The Even Game by Holly Spofford

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

The third book in the Taylor-Tyson Trilogy was named as a Finalist in the 2023 Book Excellence Awards in the mystery category. I did a manuscript critique, line edit, and copyedit on this book in 2021.

The Golden Butterfly by Celia Aily Carranza

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Celia Aily Carranza’s debut memoir took First Place in the Body, Mind, Spirit Book Awards in the Angels & Spirit Guides category in April 2019! The Golden Butterfly was also a Finalist in the Spiritual Healing category. 

I completed a developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit, where I cut out about 60,000 words to make the overall plot and story themes more prominent. Whew! 

THE KING’S SUN BY ISAAC GRISHAM

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Isaac Grisham’s debut novel The King’s Sun was honored as a Finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards‘ LGBT Fiction category! I completed a line edit and copyedit on The King’s Sun in 2017. 

The Possessions of Bartholomew Ka by Sunshine Knight

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

The Possessions of Bartholomew Ka, the second book in the series, became a triple award winner:

Silver for the 2023 Colorado Independent Publisher Awards (CIPA) in the Horror category
First Place for the BookFest Awards in the Horror – Ghosts & Paranormal category
First Place for the BookFest Awards in the Horror – Women’s Fiction category

I completed line editing and copyediting on The Possessions of Bartholomew Ka in 2023.

THE TERARCH REBELLION BY TANYA SM KENNEDY

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Tanya SM Kennedy’s fantasy novel The Terarch Rebellion was selected as Recommended Read for the 2021 Reader Ready Awards! In 2014 I did a manuscript critique, followed by a line edit and copyedit on The Terarch Rebellion.

THE YEAR THEY TRIED TO KILL ME BY DR. SALVATORE IAQUINTA

Copyedited by Kristen Hamilton

Sal Iaquinta published his book in 2012, but it has remained successful on Amazon, remaining high (#20 on Amazon’s Best Seller list) in the Humor – Doctors & Medicine genre at the time of this writing (June 2017). I served as the final proofreader for The Year They Tried to Kill Me in 2012.

THREE POINTS OF CONTACT BY GREGORY Q. CHEEK

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Gregory Q. Cheek’s debut book garnered over 7,000 pre-sales prior to publication and culminated in a national speaking tour. Once released, it became a #1 Amazon Best Seller in the Oncology genre (August 2015). I completed several developmental editing passes, followed by line editing and copyediting, and worked alongside proofreader Gillian Burgess.

Twins of the Eclipse by Christopher Woods

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Christopher Woods’ debut fantasy novella took Honorable Mention in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category for the 2022 Royal Dragonfly awards put on by Story Monsters! I did a developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit on Twins of the Eclipse in 2021.

Twins of the Eclipse: Frozen in Time by Christopher Woods

Edited by Kristen Hamilton

Christopher Woods’ second fantasy novella took Honorable Mention in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category for the 2023 Royal Dragonfly awards put on by Story Monsters! I did a developmental edit, line edit, and copyedit on Frozen in Time in 2022.

UNGODLY BY BRAEDON RIDDICK

Manuscript critique and Line edit by Kristen Hamilton

Braedon Riddick’s debut novel Ungodly received the Literary Titan Silver Award, reserved for books that “expertly deliver complex characters, intricate worlds, and thought-provoking themes.” 

In 2018 I did a manuscript critique on Ungodly, pointing out big-picture issues in pacing, plot clarity, and the overall stakes. In 2020, after making changes to the story, Braedon brought the manuscript to me for a line edit before self-publishing.

I am humbly grateful for the authors who selected me to edit their books, and even more thankful for the authors who say they couldn’t have done it without my help and have given me some wonderful testimonials. Being able to say that these authors climbed high on Amazon bestsellers lists in their respective genres makes me a proud editor…and knowing I make a difference in the final version of these books—the product that readers buy and put on their bookshelves—makes me love my job that much more.

I believe that having a best-selling independently published book is a result of many things, including the story concept, quality of writing and editing, and marketing. Contact me if you’re looking for an author-editor collaboration or if you’d just like some advice on making your next book as successful as possible!

Kristen Hamilton, fiction book editor

Book editor Kristen Hamilton is the owner and sole employee of Kristen Corrects, Inc., where she provides manuscript editing services for traditionally and self-publishing authors. Several authors whose books she has edited have won awards and have topped Amazon’s best sellers lists.

Reading is Kristen’s passion, so when the workday is over, she can usually be found curled up with a good book alongside her three cats. She loves watching cat videos and scary movies, eating pizza, teaching herself French, and traveling, and she is likely planning her next vacation. She lives outside of Boise, ID.

Want to work with Kristen?

Get in touch with details about your manuscript!

CONTACT KRISTEN