Hi, I'm Kelley Tai. I'm the Founding Editor at Bramble & Crow Books and a speculative fiction writer.Â
Titles we've Edited
Kelley has helped over a dozen authors across short fiction, poetry, and full-length novels
about KELLEY
Founding Editor Kelley Tai started Bramble & Crow Books to provide authentic editorial services for new writers trying to fulfill their dreams of writing a book. As a writer herself, Kelley understands empathy-first editorial feedback, and she is here to champion your story and critique with care and attention to the author's vision.
​​
Bramble & Crow Books offers free sample edits to all potential clients for guaranteed client satisfaction. Kelley wants you to feel 100% comfortable when working with her, and this will give all potential clients the opportunity to see her editing style. ​
​
Kelley is currently the Managing Editor, Online at Augur Society. She has obtained the Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing and reads Grammarly blogs in her spare time. She is a nominee for the Best Poem/Song for this year's Award Awards. You can visit her author website for a list of publications.
our Services
Mini Manuscript Critique
$0.005/word
​
The mini manuscript critique is a short and sweet editorial assessment of your novel. This critique is not about nitpicking scene-level details but providing constructive feedback on the story's overall plot, structure, character, voice, and tone.
Think of the mini manuscript critique as someone telling you whether or not your book is headed in the right direction.
​​
What you will receive:
-
A 2-3 page edit letter highlighting your book's strengths and potential areas of improvement, answering questions such as: does my story feel slow and predictable, is my character's arc complete, does my world building lack consistency, am I not seeing plot holes, and more!
-
Access to Kelley's inbox for 14 days after the manuscript is returned or a video call to discuss edits (+$1/min, min $15)
Poetry
$0.8/page, min $60
​
Bramble & Crow Books is delighted to offer edits on poetry: full length manuscripts, chapbooks, or individual poems. ​
​
Here's what you will receive:
-
Marginal comments & queries on tone, flow, style, and development
-
A copy edit with in-line corrections
-
An edit letter detailing overall reader reaction
-
Access to Kelley's inbox for 14 days after the manuscript is returned or a video call to discuss edits (+$1/min, min $15)
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
$0.011/word
​
A developmental edit is an in-depth assessment of your book. Your novel will be evaluated through these storytelling pillars: character development, plot, pacing, and structure. Kelley will be hands-on with the text and mark specific chapters, scenes, or paragraphs with constructive notes. Light line level edits are also provided. This service is perfect for writers looking for actionable feedback on their novel, delivered with care.
If the mini manuscript critique is someone telling you whether or not your book is headed in the right direction, a developmental edit is that same person also providing a map and directions to guide your book in the right direction.
​​​
A questionnaire will be sent out prior to the start of this service for Kelley to understand the vision of your novel.
​​​​
What you will receive:
-
A 6+ page edit letter detailing your book's strengths and specific areas for improvement
-
Marginal comments with constructive notes, queries, and reader reactions
-
Access to Kelley's inbox for 14 days after the manuscript is returned or a video call to discuss edits (+$1/min, min $15)
$0.014/word
​
A copy edit is a line level edit of your novel: fact-checking your book and correcting for style, spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, clarity, and consistency. Light line edits for rhythm and imagery may be suggested.
​
What you will receive:
-
A style guide
-
Marginal comments & queries
-
In-line corrections
-
Access to Kelley's inbox for 14 days after the manuscript is returned or a video call to discuss edits (+$1/min, min $15)
get a free sample today!
AUGUR SOCIETY
Kelley Tai is the Managing Editor, Online at Augur Society, a literary organization publishing dreamy realism & SFF content from Canada. Feel free to read the short stories and poetry that Kelley has edited for Augur Magazine.
Observations on the Strange Occurrences at the Stables of the Macha'cuay School of Magic
by Ruth Joffre
Once Upon a Planet by Kelsey Hutton
Plotzlichigelentbloβen, or, Gift of the Wordsmith
by Shana Ross
On the Engineering of River Harmonics and Associated Tributaries of Grief by Natasha King
Age of Aquarius
by Kivel Carson
The Giant Waterslide into Canada
by Emily Lu
Seventh Sister by James X. Wang
Toronto Isn't Real and Other Metropolitan Anomalies
by A.D. Sui
testimonials
*
"Kelley’s feedback was incredibly detailed and expansive while also aligning with my creative vision. She treated my work with love and care, allowing me to understand how I can further improve my story on the deepest level. Truly, I can't fully express what an incredible experience working with Kelley has been."​
​
- Ariya Bandy
*
"Kelley does a phenomenal job of seeing your vision as a writer, and elevating your work into the best possible version it can be. She goes above and beyond. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to work with her."
​
- Zahlia Amin, author of the First-Born Descendents series
*
"Wow! I got so much more from these developmental edits than I ever expected! Kelley is a fantastic editor, who was able to notice both what was and was not working in the draft I sent her, which is exactly what I needed! Her words were so kind, and encouraging and at the same time she ensured that she pointed out every inconsistency and structural issue with my book! I was so overwhelmed before I received these edits, knowing it needed reworking but knowing that I wasn’t seeing the text objectively, unable to see the ‘forest for the trees’. Reading Kelley’s feedback opened my eyes to the edits I need to focus on now and how I can make this book even better. I also had specific questions about the manuscript, which she addressed for me. I am SO happy with these edits and am leaving with the confidence to continue working on this book. Thank you Kelley for your intelligent, insightful, knowledgeable, thorough and also personable editing. Suffice to say that I would work with Kelley again in the future.​"
​
- Nikki Nhyira, author of And the Truth Shall Set You Free: Hope and Healing from Bulimia
*
"Kelley really took the time to read and understand my book while also exceeding the time she had initially given for how long the edits would take. I was very happy with her feedback. My confidence in my book as well as my excitement and motivation for writing grew after she had communicated her suggestions to me. I highly recommend Kelley as an editor. She is very personable and gives honest thoughtful feedback, communicating it all clearly. It’s always a pleasure working with her!"
​​​
- Robin Nemesszeghy, author of The Boathouse
*
"Working with Kelley was an absolute pleasure. The feedback she provided far exceeded what I was expecting and was sensitive to my level of skill and story development. She was able to articulate all the issues I knew were in my novel, but I was unable to clearly identify. I will definitely be engaging Kelley for future projects."
​
​- Belinda B​
*
"Kelley's feedback was so insightful and she pointed out some things you know in your heart that what you are working on needs some help, but can't put your finger on it. She was able to do that, even with just the 50 pages I gave her. I'm super excited to read the [my] book and look at it through her lens, to see how I can apply the things she pointed out. She was super encouraging but still critical in a way that was helpful. It got me very excited to work on the project again!"
​​
- Anon
*
"The line edits that I received from Kelley were in depth, thoughtful, and clear. She has a remarkable ability to shorten sentences and strengthen prose. She undoubtedly improved the quality of my manuscript by elevating character dialogue and eliminating unneeded words."
​​​
- Scott Palmer, best selling author of The Last Ballad series
Contact Bramble & Crow Books
The nitty gritty
-
Bramble & Crow Books wants you to feel 100% comfortable when working with them—get a free sample of any edit today. For fiction, that is the first 1,000 words of your book, for poetry, that is three poems.
-
Kelley has the most experience with speculative fiction (sci-fi and fantasy). We are not interested in picture books, middle grade, religious fiction, or non-fiction— although memoirs are an exception.
-
All services require a 50% nonrefundable deposit at time of booking. If you need to reschedule, please give notice at least 30 days in advance & the deposit will transfer over to the newly agreed date. If no notice is given, the deposit will be forfeited, and a new deposit will be required for re-booking.
-
Payment plan is as follows: 50% at the time of booking, 25% when the manuscript is sent, 25% when the manuscript is due.
-
Bramble & Crow Books uses Wave Payments and Venmo (Venmo is preferred for U.S. based clients), and servicing fees are always absorbed by the client.
-
An editorial contract is available upon request.
Writing Resource Library
Need an editor but can't afford one right now? Check out these free resources on writing! You are also cordially invited to join the Writer's Cafe discord server to find a community of writers, critique partners, and beta readers :)