Client Testimonials

“Sara is a joy to work with!”

“I’ve worked with Sara of Yellow Bird Editors on six of my novels. She has provided thoughtful, helpful feedback on each one, on-time, and for the price I expected. As of the time I am writing this testimonial and with her spot-on critique assistance, one of these novels won the Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery, and two of the them won top novel honors in consecutive years in USA Best Book’s Cross Genre category. Sara is a joy to work with, and I highly recommend her!”

-Pamela Fagan Hutchins (USA Today bestselling author of the Detective Delaney Pace series, winner of the Silver Falchion Best Mystery Award, published by Bookouture/Hachette UK and SkipJack Publishing)

“Her critique left me feeling encouraged and eager to move forward with my work.”

“I asked Sara Kocek to critique my novel, and she did a great job. She really “got” the book and appreciated what was good about it, but at the same time she offered very thoughtful suggestions for improving it. Her comments were specific, insightful, and clearly articulated. Her critique left me feeling encouraged and eager to move forward with my work. Sara is very professional and works well via email, but I also know from attending her occasional classes (which I highly recommend!) that she is friendly and charming in person as well. I fully intend to ask her to read my next novel!”

–Elizabeth Buhmann, bestselling author of Lay Death at Her Door (Amazon Top 100 - Nook Top Ten - Starred review from Publishers Weekly)

“This developmental edit is like the greatest gift ever.”

“I've been kind of like a kid on the days leading up to Christmas. I'm so happy now reading through your comments and edits. I think it must be a sign of good editing when the writer has these moments reading the edits where something clicks for him or her that goes, "aha, that's exactly the problem I was trying to identify." You've pointed out many areas for improvement where I knew there was a problem but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. Not only have you pointed them out eloquently, but you offer ways to fix them. Thank you.” 

-Colin Flahive, author of Great Leaps: Finding Home in a Changing China (Blacksmith Books, 2020)

“I F*ING LOVE YOU. I feel I have a map now for the revision. THIS IS WORTH GOLD.”

Dear Sara, It took me all weekend, but I finally faced your letter, after ‘girding my loins’ as they say in the Bible. My only reaction is this: I F*ING LOVE YOU. I feel I have a map now for the revision. THIS IS WORTH GOLD. Everything you say is spot on. Let me know when you’re back, so we can talk. I want to make some attempts at the revision before I formulate my questions. I bow in all humility to your editorial wizardry.”

-Sylvia Madrigal, author of The Garbo Bible and Of Two Minds

“Sara! I am speechless, emotional, thrilled—at all of it.”

“Sara! I am speechless, emotional, thrilled—at all of it.” I have not felt this pleased, even happy, in such a long time as I've struggled through this and to have arrived at this place where you, with your skills, have begun to cut a path through a forest (or desert as in Lawrence of Arabia) to see the castle or the sea! I'm still reading through the edits, read the summary which was terrific, and am grateful beyond belief. You are a treasure. Thank you.”

-Dunya Bean, author of One Emigre, One Communist

“Her kind, supportive attitude combined with her sharp understanding of storytelling made me feel more, not less, confident in myself.”

“I am a better writer because of Sara Kocek. She didn’t just fix what was weak; she explained why, teaching me through her edits. Yet, her kind, supportive attitude combined with her sharp understanding of storytelling made me feel more, not less, confident in myself. She doesn’t tear you down, but builds you up by giving you the tools you need to succeed. On the business side, she gave me a fair estimate and returned my manuscript promptly, as promised. She was also accessible later to discuss follow-up questions. Although I was at first unsure about spending money on what might be a pipe dream, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, for the return surpassed the investment.”

–Eva Pohler, author of The Gatekeeper’s Sons series

“Sara is the best. Thanks to her ability and gracious help, I have signed a book publishing contract.”

“Sara Kocek line edited my 75,000 word mystery manuscript. I couldn't be more pleased with her attentiveness, skill and overall professionalism. She was spot on with all her suggestions. She encouraged me to ask questions and when I did, she answered them quickly. As a past newspaper reporter and news editor, I am a big believer in good editing. Sara is the best. Thanks to her ability and gracious help, I have signed a book publishing contract.”

-Diane Dickinson, author of Disclosure (forthcoming from Black Rose)

“There is no doubt that the work I did with Sara on my first manuscript provided some of the best training of my writing life.”

“I asked Sara to edit a lengthy manuscript (my first) that I’d worked on for years–seven to be exact. I had worn out all my beta reader friends and lost all objectivity about the manuscript and writing in general. Sara did an amazing job of pointing out restructuring needs that made so much sense, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of them myself. She also did a detailed line-by-line edit with copious side notes. I felt as if I were getting a personalized creative writing course–well, actually, that is exactly what I did get. I completed all the rewrites that she recommended, but during this process, a vague, unformed notion, which had been flitting through my mind, for a young adult novel sprang into full, technicolor life. I quickly wrote Polarity in Motion and found a publisher. There is no doubt that the work I did with Sara on my first manuscript provided some of the best training of my writing life. I was much better prepared to produce a publishable manuscript because of Sara’s teaching. I will seek her help again, and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to improve his or her technique!  Thank you, Sara!  Polarity thanks you, too!”

-Brenda Vicars, author of Polarity in Motion (Red Adept Publishing, 2014)

“Thanks, Sara, for the brilliant editorial job with my book.”

“Thanks, Sara, for the brilliant editorial job with my book.  A well-educated author/ friend referred me to you, and I am very grateful to her for doing so.  Aside from spot-on developmental editing, you acknowledged and praised my novel’s strengths while guiding me to powerful solutions for its weaknesses.  Your critique of my book resonated with me – it rang of truth that authors buried in their work fail to see. With 67,000 plus words, it’s a challenge to line up all the dots to create the perfect story, so I recommend that any author—whether e-publishing or submitting to agent—ask for Sara’s help in fine-tuning their masterpiece-in-the-making. Whether I e-publish or seek an agent, Sara’s help will be invaluable in helping me sell my novel. So, thanks for caring about my novel and thanks for answering my rebel-driven questions about writing conventions.”

–Kelly K. Lavender, author of Beautiful Evil Winter (Eric Hoffer Book Award & National Indie Excellence Award)

“Sara Kocek from Yellow Bird Editors provided invaluable guidance.”

"Sara Kocek from Yellow Bird Editors provided invaluable guidance. Keeping an eye on the overall structure of the story, Sara pointed out what was still missing in terms of character development and emotional response, and helped me bring the story to a meaningful end." 

-Annette Oppenlander, author of Surviving the Fatherland (2017 National Indie Excellence Award)

“I was concerned I'd be reluctant to edit the manuscript or that it would feel like a slog, but the opposite is happening. I'm totally energized and excited to tackle it, which to me speaks to the quality and incisiveness of your thoughts.”

“I just read your editorial letter. It's amazing. Thank you so much for your thoughts. They are so helpful, and I agree with everything you said. I'll start on the manuscript comments, and make notes of any questions. I was concerned I'd be reluctant to edit the manuscript or that it would feel like a slog, but the opposite is happening. I'm totally energized and excited to tackle it, which to me speaks to the quality and incisiveness of your thoughts. For context, I've been in several undergrad writing workshops where I'd get very subjective feedback like, "This scene didn't work for me." Or worse, "This character doesn't feel realistic." I find this kind of feedback very difficult to know what to do with. Do I even agree with it? And so I've never joined a writing workshop as an adult. I was expecting to get stuff like that, but your edits were so self-evidently correct and useful, it felt like a real step forward in learning the craft of writing. I also have a pretty good idea for the next book, and your comments are going to make that first draft so much better. I'm so thankful I sent it your way, Sara!”

-Lawrence Bub, author of Heart and Bones

“Sara considerably exceeded my expectations for her developmental edit of my manuscript.”

“Sara considerably exceeded my expectations for her developmental edit of my manuscript.  She complimented things I was particularly proud of—chapter beginnings and descriptive and anecdotal sections—but she also identified key structural problems and areas where her attention lagged as a reader, and provided workable suggestions for addressing them. Sara helped me think outside the box by offering unique approaches for character actions and reactions, suggesting that since my manuscript stretched the reader’s imagination to begin with, taking it one step further would serve to enhance the story. As I suspect is the case with most authors, I vacillate on any given day between thinking I can tell my story in a unique and compelling way, and wondering if anyone else will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Sara’s critique has given me renewed confidence. I really can do this.”

–Karen Swensson, author of Conversations Loosely Translated

“She’s an author’s dream!”

“I feel fortunate to have worked with Sara on my chapter edit and critique. Her editing talent, impressive thoroughness, and prompt professionalism surpassed my expectations. Sara’s truly a skilled and experienced professional that assists you in making your work shine and ensures that your work is professionally prepared for publication. Her comments and critique not only guide you, but encourage you. Her work is meticulous and she respectfully maintains the voice of the author. She’s an author’s dream! It was a pleasure and a wonderful learning experience to be edited by Sara. I look forward to working with her in the future for all my editing needs.”

–Sarah A. Kunz, writer

“I learned so much more than simply what to change. I learned how to be a better writer and my manuscript came alive in the process.”

“I took two of Sara’s classes and after each, my writing greatly improved by using her recommendations. Her classes were relevant, organized, clearly communicated, and provided valuable insight into the craft and business of writing. When it was time to edit my manuscript, I wanted Sara to do the work. She discussed the various editing strategies and identified my intended goals, then provided cost options and a predicted turnaround time. Her work was within the timeframe promised and it was exceptional. In addition to partial rewrites, her editing included suggestions for improved dialogue, character development, and storyline progression. All edits were clearly specified and justified with explanations and these were provided in a respectful, constructive manner so that my specific voice was improved but not lost in the editing. The final edits were presented such that it was like taking another one of Sara’s classes. I learned so much more than simply what to change. I learned how to be a better writer and my manuscript came alive in the process.”

–Jim Murray, author of Lethal Medicine