Kat Betts | Element Editing Services

Officially want to congratulate J.S. Harman on becoming a finalist for the Aurealis Awards! The Aurealis Awards are Australia's top Speculative Fiction Awards, and to become a finalist, you need to come in the top 6 for your category. This round there were just shy of 800 entrants overall.

Today my youngest goes to school for the first time. This week is filled with errands and appointments I couldn't do across the last 6.5 weeks of school holidays, but in between all that, I'll be working on a developmental edit of "It Was Always You" by MM Forster.

I'm still on Quicksilver, but I'm at 73%. Things have slowed a bit because I've been doing other things... *looks at WoW* I'd love to get it finished today, but school goes back and the day is filled with errands and professional development work, so we'll see!

What are you working on today?
Today I'll be doing the final digital input on an Australian novel, "Isolate". I'm really happy with how far this book has come! The writing has a polaroid, hot-summer vibe (which fits perfectly). It's wistful, and sad, and pulls at the heartstrings.

I kinda feel like the romantic side of things is working a little fast, but I'm having a good time regardless. Maybe I've just read too much Maas recently...

I have finished so many books already this year! Paralysed by choice for what was next, I put it to a poll, and my Twitch companions chose number "2", which corresponded in the secret list to Quicksilver, by Callie Hart. I'm already at 45% and I only started it two days ago!

Today is a coffee kind of day.

Huge thank you to Beth Ball for sending a copy of her book, Phoenix Rising, book 1 of the Feather & Flame series. Editing a book is a privilege, but receiving a copy of it, or being acknowledged in some way, is the peak of my job. So thank you, this means a lot.

There’s something down there… in the deep…

Currently, I'm working on the proofs for Dark Tides, Book 2 of the Dark Worlds Saga by JS Harman. This book is fantastic, and I cannot wait to see it out in the world!

I want to get more reading done this year, and I've also decided to extend my professional development, which includes rereading a lot of non-fic books, and also newer ones! I'm trying to balance it out, and so far I am having a blast.

Do you have a goal this year? What are you enjoying right now?

Merry Christmas, from me to you!
I'm getting in early, because it's Gideon's 5th birthday today, and I will be super busy from this afternoon onwards.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday period, filled with family, friends, and some wonderfully scrumptious food!

This week I'm working on Bite Me, by Coffee Quills, a prolific genre weaver. Addicted to coffee, and with a special (and very strong) interest in hedgehogs, you can catch up with them at @CoffeeQuills on most socials!

This week I'm working on Dark Tides, book 2 of the Dark Worlds Saga. Book 1, Dark Sands, is out now, and I highly recommend it if you like accessible sci fi with a story that will have you thinking, and wary, for a long time to come! I am *loving* this second instalment!

A friend sent me this and it hit me in the feels as an editor, and as a writer. I've been on both sides!

I'm currently scheduling edits for 2026, so if you're in need of an editor, swing me an email to chat!
14 years' experience in speculative fiction, specialising in fantasy and sci-fi manuscripts, and I love what I do. Let me take the journey with you!

Today I'm doing something I don't normally do (by choice). I'm working on a book that's currently in development. It's in the drafting stage, and I am SO EXCITED to be working on this with Alex. I've read every book ever by Alex, and I love the stories SO much. It is a privilege!

My weekend started off with the Fabled Magazine launch in the city, then I got to my Mum's at 2.30am. 2.5 hours sleep and it was up and off to the market to sell Mum's creations!
Directly after that was my beautiful sister's wedding up at a winery in Coldstream.

It was exhausting! But wonderful.

Happy Halloween!
How cool is this display! Went trick or treating with the boys. I take the candy with me to give out, because we live in a tucked-away street, and I love seeing all the kids' smiles!

It went splendidly! Chapter 22 of 28 outlined now, and getting close to being sorted with the detailed outline! I'm really excited for this project, and I'm having so much fun. :D

Do you need an editor asap? I've had a project moved at the last minute and so I have one slot available!
Contact me via email so we can see what you and your book need.
(I specialise in Fantasy and Science Fiction, but also work on all Speculative Fiction subgenres. 13 years' industry experience.)

This week I'm working on The Alchemist Baker of Rosen, by JP Rindfleisch IX. This book is set in the same world as the incredibly successful Mosswood Apothecary, which you can preorder here: bit.ly/mosswoodapot... (Special Edition link!)

My Quirky Cup Collective order came and I. AM. IN. LOVE. I know exactly which story is getting written in this notebook. From the paper they use, to the extremely beautiful designs, to the gold edging, their notebooks are a dream.

Thank you so much, @thequirkycupcollective !

Will you be looking for an editor come January? I'm currently taking bookings, but slots do go fast, so if you're interested or just plain curious, send me an email and we can have a chat about your book!

Today, after a bunch of appointments and Monday admin, I'll be working on 'Bears & Bakeries: Pie Holes' by Dylan Drakes, a novella that accompanies 'Bears & Bakeries', a story of two chonky men who fall for each other and baste each other's pies. Among other things. ;)

I might be a professional editor, but I am not a professional cake decorator. Still, the now-11yo absolutely loved it.
Here's the monstrosity!

Have fun with Magic!

This is the scent of my day!

Picture of the candle the ever-beautiful @ekearlewrites gave me yesterday. It smells *amazing*. Don't even need to burn it, just open it! *swoon*

Do you like candles?
I do. I have a problem.
I need a shelving unit just for scented candles, I think.

Weekend's over. Time to hit the books again! "El Fashela" now, and later I'll be working on the proofread of "Seriah, Daughter of Darkness".
I'm excited to dive in. Emails are done already, so is the grocery shopping. My desk is clean, too. I love my editing hole.
What's on the cards for you today?

Legion Remix drops in a few hours! *internal excited screaming*
Oh. Have to work. 3 appointments too. You know, sometimes I do miss those early days of my 20s when I could play for days and had fewer responsibilities.

Legion Remix drops in a few hours! *internal excited screaming*
Oh. Have to work. 3 appointments too. You know, sometimes I do miss those early days of my 20s when I could play for days and had fewer responsibilities.