Goldenrod Editorial

Helping scholars produce their best writing and thinking.

Writing can be hard and lonely. My job is to make your writing whole and to make it easier for you to reach your potential as an author.

Katherine Wiley, Owner, Goldenrod Editorial

Goldenrod Editorial Logo

I’m a developmental editor and coach, which means that I focus on big picture issues in writing, including argument, structure, engagement with sources, voice, and narrative flow. As a former tenured professor and writing instructor, I draw upon my own experiences in publishing, writing, and research to deliver outstanding support. I’ll provide you with detailed feedback on your work, helping you to produce high-quality, thought-provoking writing for academic journals and university presses. Goldenrod’s Latin name (solidago) means “to make whole”; my job as an editor is to help you achieve your full potential as an author and make your work the best it can be. I provide a variety of services, including editing, writing coaching, and writing groups, to help meet your editing and writing needs.

I have worked with manuscripts that are under contract with or published by many scholarly presses, including Chicago University Press, Indiana University Press, Lexington Books, Oxford University Press, Pennsylvania University Press, Princeton University Press, Rutgers University Press, and Stanford University Press, among others.

Want a quick overview of developmental editing? Click on the button below to access a 15-minute video that explains what developmental editing is and how to know if you might need it. It also discusses logistical aspects including cost and tips on finding an editor.

 My Expertise

My Background

As a former tenured professor, I’ve been where you are! I’ve published many peer-reviewed articles as well as a scholarly book. This means I’ve navigated the writing and publishing process myself so I understand what it takes to produce publishable work as well as the challenges of the process. I’ve also worked as an English teacher, reporter, and newsletter manager, jobs which all helped to hone my commitment to helping writing reach broad audiences. Learn more about me here.

Subject Expertise

I have an interdisciplinary background, with a PhD in anthropology and a BA in English. This means I edit in a range of subjects, all of which I have researched, taught, and published in. These include: anthropology, African studies, English, gender studies, global studies, history, Islamic studies, material culture studies, Middle Eastern studies, religious studies, slavery studies, and sociology. I also work with other disciplines in the qualitative social sciences and humanities. Learn more about my services here.

How Can I Help?

Scholarly library

Editorial Services

Developmental editing and line editing for books, journal articles, job market materials, and grant proposals. Assistance with peer review and support for multilingual authors. I review full or partial book manuscripts and provide ongoing support while you write your book!

Books for scholarly research

Coaching

I provide developmental coaching services, where I meet with you on a regular basis to talk through your manuscript ideas, help you set (and stick to) deadlines for your writing, and provide general support and guidance. Writing is difficult. You don’t have to do it alone!

Coffee with a notebook

Writing Groups

You need to write, but you have trouble getting writing done. You have a project you’ve been avoiding. Or you feel lonely in your writing and want to write with others. Sign up for one of my scholarly writing groups and commit to making your writing happen painlessly today!

Free Consultation!

You’ve been working so hard on that article, but feel stuck. Or you hope to revise your manuscript to help it reach the broadest possible audience. Or you just want your book to be the best it can be. I can help. Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me today to explore how.

Kind Words From Clients

  • Revising with Confidence

    Katherine helped me structure the layered assertions in my manuscript draft. Her careful and precise feedback allowed me to see areas where my argument needed more development and gave me strategies for tackling particularly sticky passages. Most importantly, I felt like she valued the contributions of my project as much as I did. Thanks to her, I have been able to revise my draft with confidence and direction.

    ~ Full Professor, University of Richmond

  • Greatly Improved Arguments

    “Dr. Wiley is an excellent developmental editor. It has been a great pleasure working with her. Her editing skills significantly improved my arguments and strengthened the overall organization and development of my book manuscript."

    ~ Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison

  • Validating and Useful Feedback

    I’m writing a book that is different from my usual style (historical fiction vs. academic history) and hired Katherine as a developmental editor to review the first draft. I’m so glad that I did! Her feedback was tremendously validating and useful—better than any peer review I’ve received in my career. She not only annotated the manuscript, but gave me several pages of thoughtful comments regarding the overall tone and organization.

    ~ Associate Professor, Indiana University

  • Editorial Work Energized Me to Write with Confidence

    Dr. Wiley’s excellent editorial work energized me to write my job materials with confidence: her thorough, clear, and encouraging editorial letter and detailed feedback allowed me to successfully complete job applications even under pressure and while balancing a full-time job and personal life. Thanks to her insights and suggestions, I revised with a clear direction, and I submitted my work with a renewed understanding of how to best articulate the connections between my professional experience and job ads. More than an editor, she is a true companion in the unpredictable paths of the writing life!

    ~ Associate Professor, Pacific Lutheran University

  • I felt supported and respected

    Katherine assisted me through multiple drafts of a cover letter and CV for an application for a job in academia. She suggested major structural changes that greatly improved the flow of the letter and the effectiveness of my CV. I really appreciated that Katherine explained the reasoning behind her comments and offered insightful and practical ways to improve both the letter and CV. It was a wonderful experience—I felt supported, respected, and in extremely capable hands. I've never been more confident about submitting an application!

    ~ Visiting Professor, Tulane University

  • Strategical Help & Detailed Comments

    Her comments will improve my work in all ways - conceptually by offering a strategy for rethinking my objective and an effective means for doing so, and methodologically by suggesting edits that strengthened my writing.… She takes the time to understand the overall point of the manuscript, along with its supporting process points throughout, and at the same time she offers detailed comments on the writing.

    ~ Ann Kelleher, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Lutheran University