Editorial Services

Editorial

Services

The Packages

  • Option 1 - Pitch Perfect

    Full Pitch Package Feedback

    Includes Query Breaking package, plus:

    • 1-hour zoom call to discuss feedback, brainstorm together, etc.

    • 1-page edit letter on first 50 pages

    • In-line feedback on first 50 pages (1 feedback round)

    • Custom agent list curation and vetting

    • In-line feedback on synopsis, and 1-sentence and 1-paragraph pitches (up to 4 feedback rounds)

    Maximize the number of full requests and offers you receive by nailing the pitch and opening pages.

    Price: $500

    $450 for any previous client, for any book, regardless of which option was purchased.

  • Option 2 - Query Breaking

    Query feedback (up to 6 feedback rounds)

    Not just a q-crit — this is an async interactive learning process where we’ll break your query down to its key components, identify what’s there and what’s missing, and rebuild it together over multiple iterations. 

    Includes:

    • Half-page edit letter

    • In-line feedback (up to 6 rounds)

    • A reusable template for identifying your key components

    Gain confidence that you’re entering the trenches with the strongest query possible.

    Price: $150

    $130 if previously purchased a Q-Crit with me for the same book.

  • Option 3 - Q-Crit

    Query feedback (1 round of feedback)

    In-line feedback on your existing query.

    Get direction on your query’s strengths and opportunity areas.

    Recommended for someone who wants an additional layer of feedback from an agented author familiar with the current market.

    Price: $30

INQUIRE NOW

*I am open to editorial services on very select full adult/new adult fantasy, romantic fantasy, and romantasy manuscripts. Contact for details and pricing.

What’s Right for Me?

looking for detailed feedback on your holistic pitch package, and want to spend time brainstorming 1:1

If you’re…

Try Option 1 - Pitch Perfect

If you’re…

struggling to “crack the code” on a great query

Try Option 2 - Query Breaking

looking for an additional layer of feedback from an agented author familiar with the current market

If you’re…

Try Option 3 - Q-Crit

Why Work With Me?

I’m an agented fantasy author signed in 2025.

My querying experience is recent, which means my feedback is in conversation with modern querying trends and the ever-evolving traditional publishing market. My own query received a 19% request rate (vs. the current 3.8% average reported by QueryTracker).

I’ve helped dozens of authors improve their work.

As a Writing with the Soul alumni, SFWA ‘26 mentor, SmoochPit ‘24 mentee, and member of /r/pubtips for 6+ years, I’ve given feedback to countless authors on their queries and pages, many of whom have since gone on to become agented and even published.

I bring not just my author experience, but my corporate expertise.

Writing is an art, but publishing is a business—and I’ve spent 15+ years speaking that language in corporate environments. My experience helps translate queries into the professional business letters that they should be, without losing the sparkle that makes your book stand out.

LET'S GET STARTED

Testimonials

  • “Kayla Halloway’s editorial eye is rivaled only by her keen understanding of people, both of which she has earned over a long and storied career. She can, in the same breath, remind you of everything about your work that makes it shine, all while helping you make it stronger, sharper, and brighter.”

    —Taylor J. LaRue, STEELBORN (Requited, 2026)

  • “Kayla has a way of seeing the heartbeat of a story and pulling it into focus, whether that be finessing a query or polishing pages. She's thoughtful and intentional with her feedback, and always knows what threads to pull on to help a story come to life on the page. She's one of my go-tos for feedback and I always know my work will come out stronger on the other side after being in Kayla's hands!”

    —Kayley Jackson, agented author

  • “Kayla saved my query! I had paid for a number of query critique services in the past, but something still didn't look right. With one pass, Kayla saw what everyone else missed: my MC was lacking motivation. I truly don't think I would have landed my agent without Kayla's help.”

    — Sarah J. Hester, agented author

Let’s Work Together

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. I strongly believe that no one needs to pay any amount of money in order to query successfully. There are so many free resources out there, and I encourage everyone to make use of them before considering spending any money, including with me. My services are ideally for those who have already taken advantage of those resources and either got ‘stuck’ and need help finding a path forward, or want additional support and polish from someone with experience.

  • For query feedback:

    For learning query structure:

    For understanding publishing norms:

  •  I feel you! I can’t promise to help you personally, but I still do free q-crits on /r/pubtips. I may also be a mentor for SmoochPit ‘26 (applications open in September 2026) and SFWA in 2027 (applications open in ~February 2027). If so, I’ll announce these opportunities on instagram.

  • I specialize in YA, Adult, and New Adult fiction queries across a broad spectrum of genres. I am not the best fit for literary fiction, memoirs, picture books, middle grade, or non-fiction proposals.

    However, if you’re in the tech space, I may be able to assist with editing, strategic positioning, and navigating the non-fiction proposal process. Contact me to discuss if we’d be a good fit.

  • Absolutely not. I do not use GAI (defined as artificial intelligence that generates content) for any creative purposes, including query packages. By agreeing to work with me, you agree that you also have not used GAI in any part of your manuscript or query package, even the parts we do not work on together. This is partially an ethical stance, but also a practical one; most agents and publishers now have anti-AI clauses in their contracts, and using GAI in any part of your creative process can greatly jeopardize your chances of signing with an agent and securing a book deal.