Creative non-fiction:
I had the good fortune of meeting Bernadette Kearns at the Dalkey Creates festival a 
few years ago. She came on board as copy-editor of my book which I was trying to send out to literary agents at the time.
What struck me about Bernadette in those first moments of speaking with her was her impeccable professionalism and sincerity. Since working with her, I could add to that list tenfold. She is an excellent editor: thorough, constructive, insightful and incredibly generous with her time. Most importantly for me, she supported me on my journey, shoring me up when my confidence flagged and when I was wondering if, after a string of rejection emails, I should throw in the towel.
I cannot recommend Bernadette highly enough. She is a rare gem in this competitive literary world where sometimes it can feel like no one else cares. Bernadette really did. She cares about her writers. She takes interest in their journeys and it is largely due to her that I haven’t given up.
I was apprehensive when I contacted Book Nanny with regards to editing my children’s story, Paint Attack at Sunnytree. Firstly, I was concerned that I would feel discouraged after the editing process, and, secondly, I was worried that an editor might to take the story in a direction that I hadn’t intended.
Fortunately, neither of these things happened. After Bernadette completed a manuscript evaluation which pointed out some major structural problems with my story, I didn’t feel discouraged. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I felt strangely determined and excited about tackling the necessary changes. This is because, as well as addressing the problems, Bernadette also focused on what was working in the story.
In addition, any changes that Bernadette suggested in both the manuscript evaluation and the structural line/copy-edit, she always gave valid reasons as to why they were necessary for either story or character development. I am fairly sure that the story or characters wouldn’t have developed in the way they did without her guidance.
Overall, I would have no problems in recommending Book Nanny. I found her helpful, knowledgeable, and very encouraging, and, should the opportunity arise, I would definitely avail of her services in the future.
K. Ryan, author
There are no books without editors.
Every writer who ever attempted to review their own work understands this only too well. But a skilled editor like Bernadette Kearns brings a book into sharp focus. Her craft lies not only in meticulous attention to detail, but in her ability to get inside the story and the characters. This combination of skill and craft ensures an edit that completes a work.
From my own personal experience of writing for children, Mary Wolftide would be half a story without Bernadette’s insightful editing.
Sineaid Doyle, author of Mary Wolftide series
‘There is no such thing as good writing, only good editing.’
Every writer has heard this said and knows the truth in it. But as a writer, it is not until you have to engage in that process that you realise how hard it is to achieve good editing.
While there is certainly no silver bullet to make the task painless, having a good editor on your side is the difference between succeeding and only half-succeeding. A good editor is someone you can trust to get behind the scenes of your book’s secret world and help you pull open the curtain; someone who is willing to put careful eyes to your manuscript and never look up until it’s finished. Someone with the strength of character to tell you when you’ve gone wrong and yet maintain the generosity of spirit to accept your ownership of the artistic vision.
Bernadette Kearns is a good editor.
Bernadette has become my new best friend.
I’m fairly confident that I can write a good tale, but not so confident that I can use the correct grammar, or, indeed, use the right words in the right order. That’s where Bernadette came in, using her expertise to edit my book into something that I felt confident about putting out there.
To say that Bernadette simply edits is doing her a disservice. She is so much more than that.
She has a wonderful ability to understand the characters that have been created in my head. Her advice made me see the bigger picture and to understand how to improve my storytelling without compromising the style of genre I write. Bernadette doesn’t pull any punches, but her reasoning behind every comment is detailed and constructive. You will learn something from her, as well as getting a professional manuscript.
I would not hesitate to work with Bernadette again and I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone who wants to improve as a writer.
It was an absolute pleasure to work recently with Book Nanny on my middle grade chapter book, Cats Undercover. Bernadette was approachable, punctual and efficient and provided top-quality copy-editing and proofreading for my manuscript.
I have already booked her in for my next project and I would have no reservations in recommending Bernadette to any authors or writers who need a professional eye on their work.
It lurked digitally on my hard drive in a folder buried so deep, I hoped it would forget where it was. It sulked in a pile under my desk, harrumphing every time I started a new piece.
It was ‘The Draft’: a chain around my neck for so long, now abandoned and unloved. And then one winter’s day, it simultaneously kicked me in the shin and dragged itself from Writing > Writing Bits > Drafts > Swimmers > Draft5 (damn, I used an adverb there, didn’t I?) The Draft glowered at me and I relented. I sent it away to Bernadette, in the hope she’d make more sense of it than I ever could.
And she did: four pages of appreciation, insight and ideas, enough to make me think again; enough to let me read the opening lines and find some sense, reason and confidence in it all. If you have a sulking, vexing draft like mine, send it to Bernadette and stop ignoring it. You won’t regret it.
Guy le Jeune, author, playwright and reminiscence facilitator
Telling stories is in our DNA. It’s an Irish thing. Getting them down on paper can be a bit more challenging.
Some years ago, high up in the Dublin mountains, I met Bernadette Kearns at a creative writing course. As a course facilitator, her depth of knowledge and her no-nonsense approach immediately struck me. We kept in touch and, over the years, I got to know and appreciate the range and quality of many of the writers she supports on an ongoing basis.
Bernadette recently edited a short story for me. Within an agreed timeline and following lively exchanges, she guided and supported me to ensure my story reached its full potential. She also gave me something else: a strong sense of pride and confidence in my work. I will continue to work with Bernadette and would highly recommend her to others.
Adrian Taheny, author and photographic artist
few years ago. She came on board as copy-editor of my book which I was trying to send out to literary agents at the time.
