If you’ve ever felt like your characters are “floating in space” during your drafts, or if you’ve wondered whether there’s an editor out there who truly understands both the craft challenges and the personal journey of writing romance, you’re going to connect deeply with Kaitlin Schmidt. She’s a queer, neurodivergent editor who brings genuine empathy and technical expertise to every manuscript—especially when it comes to making your love stories feel authentic and grounded.
Kaitlin knows what it’s like to navigate the world differently, and she uses that understanding to create an editing experience that feels supportive rather than intimidating. Whether you’re writing your first romance or polishing your fifth, she meets you exactly where you are in your creative journey.
The editor who draws maps (and why that matters for your story)
Here’s something refreshingly honest about Kaitlin: She draws little maps of grocery stores to navigate them successfully, and sometimes she creates similar maps for the manuscripts she’s editing. If you’ve ever walked out of a bathroom and immediately headed the wrong way, or had to rehearse directions to look confident, you’ll understand why this admission feels so reassuring.
Kaitlin’s maps are a little window into her neurodivergence. Her flavor of neurospice isn’t something she hides or apologizes for—it’s actually a superpower in her editing work. Living with a mind that processes information differently has given her acute self-awareness and deep compassion for others, whether they’re neurodivergent or not. She understands that everyone benefits from accommodation and gentle flexibility.
What this means for your editing experience:
- She takes a genuinely curious approach to each author’s unique process
- Her feedback focuses on encouragement, never condescension
- She assumes gaps in knowledge are normal, not character flaws
- Every comment is written to build confidence rather than tear it down
This empathetic foundation transforms what could feel like criticism into genuine collaboration. Kaitlin believes in meeting people where they are, just like she did during her years teaching ninth graders who were “ready to try hard but also needed to play.”
From classroom community to editorial freedom
Kaitlin’s path to editing was shaped by her experience as a high school English teacher, mostly working with ninth graders. She still lights up when talking about those classroom bonds—the daily interactions, watching students grow over an entire school year, and building genuine connections through shared learning.
But public school classrooms come with heartbreaking limitations. “At one point I had 36 students in one class. I couldn’t give anyone the attention they deserved,” Kaitlin shares. The transition to editing allows her to focus one-on-one with authors, offering feedback tailored exactly to their needs and creative vision.
What this tells you about working with Kaitlin: All those teaching skills—patience, clarity, meeting people where they are—now shine through in every editorial project. Kaitlin admits she “falls in love with every single book” she edits, which sometimes means she spends a little too long perfecting the details. For her, editing isn’t just a job; it’s a relationship with the author, the text, and the process of helping stories grow stronger.
Creating authentic chemistry that readers can feel
One of Kaitlin’s specialties is helping romance writers move beyond generic attraction into genuine chemistry that leaps off the page. She pays close attention to first meetings between main characters, pushing authors past bland physical descriptions toward moments that reveal why this particular person captivates your protagonist.
Instead of: “She had brown hair, brown eyes, and a medium build.”
Kaitlin guides you toward: “She spotted her across the room, tall and confident in a red flannel, raven-black hair catching the rain-soaked light—and for a moment, the chatter faded away.”
Real chemistry needs specific, sensory details that matter to the character experiencing them. Maybe there’s a double take. Maybe your protagonist notices how the love interest watches her, or the way light glints off curly hair. These moments signal something important to readers and help them invest in the romance from the very beginning.
Kaitlin understands that many writers (including herself) struggle to include enough physical grounding in early drafts. She links this to her own neurodivergence: “I avoid writing the physical stuff because as soon as I try, I have to commit. What if I get it wrong?” Recognizing this pattern helps writers be more intentional about anchoring their characters in real, vivid moments.
Why queer romance matters (and how it serves all readers)
If Kaitlin could pick her dream project, it would likely be queer speculative fiction with a dash of romance or queer romance with a dash of speculative fiction—stories where queer romance is woven naturally into the world rather than treated as unusual. She’s especially passionate about queernorm storytelling, which means writing stories in which it’s simply unremarkable to be queer. Stories like this imagine a future where difference isn’t extraordinary.
For Kaitlin, this work is deeply personal: “One of the reasons I write is because I have trouble finding the stories I want to read. Being queer myself, I just like reading that kind of stuff, so it’s more enjoyable for me to edit.”
But representation goes much deeper than personal preference. “Books were my safe place, so that means that books, in some ways, parented me a lot. If there had been more queer representation, I could have seen myself in them a little sooner.”
Kaitlin loves editing:
- Any kind of romance (including heterosexual relationships)
- Speculative fiction and romantasy
- Queer fiction of all kinds
- Short stories and genre fiction
- Literary fiction, memoir, and nonfiction
Even if you’re not writing queer romance, Kaitlin’s commitment to authentic representation and emotional truth will strengthen any love story. She understands that great romance—regardless of the characters’ identities—requires genuine emotional stakes and believable chemistry.
Understanding the editing process (so you can choose what you need)
One of Kaitlin’s greatest gifts is helping authors understand the different types of editing so you can invest your time and money wisely. Many writers feel confused about what they actually need, and Kaitlin breaks it down clearly:
Developmental editing focuses on the big picture—story structure, character development, pacing, and worldbuilding. This happens when you know your draft has promise but want help shaping the story itself.
Line editing comes next, polishing how your story unfolds sentence by sentence. It tackles rhythm, word choice, and dialogue authenticity, and it often involves filling in sensory details to keep scenes immersive and avoid those dreaded “white rooms.”
Copyediting is the detail-oriented step that prepares your manuscript for publication—fixing grammar, ensuring consistency, catching timeline slips, and creating a comprehensive style sheet that tracks character details, spellings, and style decisions.
Kaitlin follows the 5 Cs of copyediting: Clarity, Coherency, Consistency, Correctness, and Communication. She always delivers a detailed style sheet to authors, which becomes invaluable for future books in a series or when working with formatters and proofreaders.
Working with debut authors (because everyone starts somewhere)
Kaitlin specializes in working with debut authors and those new to the editing process. If you’re feeling hesitant or confused about what you need, she invites you to reach out by email and share where you’re at with your book. No need to know editing terminology—Kaitlin will walk you through what makes sense for your current stage.
What makes working with Kaitlin special:
- She books early, often scheduling two to three months in advance
- Every client conversation is custom, low-pressure, and focused on moving your writing forward
- She offers affordable 30-minute consultations to explain the editing process and answer questions
- Her approach is patient, personal, and empowering—ideal for writers who want their stories to shine without losing their voice
The human side of editing
Kaitlin brings humility, humor, and heart to every manuscript she touches. Her neurodivergence informs an editing style that’s patient and empowering, which is especially valuable for writers who’ve felt misunderstood or judged in other creative spaces.
She understands that writing romance requires vulnerability—you’re putting your heart on the page, exploring intimacy and emotion, and creating characters you genuinely care about. Her editorial approach honors that courage while helping you craft the strongest possible version of your story.
Whether you’re seeking clarity on the editing process, looking for an editor who truly understands romance, or just need to know there’s someone else who gets lost walking out of mall bathrooms, Kaitlin proves that the best editing is human, kind, and deeply invested in not only stories, but the authors behind them.
Ready to connect with Kaitlin?
You can find Kaitlin through her website or reach out by email for a friendly, knowledgeable guide through your editing journey.
She welcomes conversations about where you are with your manuscript and what kind of support would serve your story best.
Is Kaitlin right for you?
Kaitlin might be perfect for you if:
- You’re looking for an editor who truly understands romance and its unique requirements
- You want someone who will build your confidence rather than tear down your work
- You’re new to the editing process and need patient guidance through the different types
- You value working with someone who celebrates diversity and authentic representation
- You want detailed feedback that helps you grow as a writer, not just fixes your current manuscript
- You’re seeking an editor who sees their work as building relationships, not just correcting errors
She might not be the right fit if:
- You’re looking for someone to just fix grammar without engaging with your story
- You prefer very quick turnarounds (she books months in advance because she’s thorough)
- You want an editor who will completely rewrite sections rather than teaching you to strengthen them yourself
- You’re not open to feedback about representation or authentic character development
Your story deserves thoughtful attention
Writing romance means creating authentic emotional connections, building believable worlds, and honoring the vulnerability required for genuine intimacy. Kaitlin Schmidt understands all of this—not just as a skilled editor, but as someone who navigates the world with empathy, humor, and deep respect for the stories that matter to you.
Your romance deserves an editor who falls in love with every book she touches, who understands that great editing is about relationship and trust, and who brings both technical expertise and genuine care to every page. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you work with Kaitlin.