How Heartfelt Editorial Services LLC Came to Life
Hi, I’m Kourtney Schmiedeke, the heart behind Heartfelt Editorial Services LLC.
This business was born from a lifelong love of stories and a deep desire to help authors bring their words to life.
Books have always felt like home to me—a place where magic exists, emotions run deep, and the impossible becomes possible. That love for storytelling led me into the literary world, where I began my journey as a publishing and marketing intern at Speak Happiness. There, I learned the ins and outs of book marketing, reviews, and the industry as a whole from a talented author who graciously shared her expertise.
But it was during my time as a Kid Lit editorial intern that I discovered my true calling: editing. I fell in love with the process of working closely with authors, nurturing their ideas, and helping them refine their words while preserving their unique voice.
From that moment on, I knew I didn’t want to be just another “cookie-cutter” editor. I wanted to create a space where authors feel supported, understood, and encouraged every step of the way. That’s what led me to launch Heartfelt Editorial Services LLC—a business built on the foundation of empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for storytelling.
In March 2023, I officially opened my doors, offering line editing, copyediting, proofreading, alpha/beta reading, and manuscript evaluations for both fiction and nonfiction. I’ve worked on a range of genres—including romance, fantasy, YA, picture books, poetry, and short stories—and have had the opportunity to collaborate with Childress Ink Publishing and Crippled Beagle Publishing. Most of my clients are indie authors, and I absolutely love helping them bring their stories to life in a way that resonates deeply with readers.
Since launching, I’ve had the privilege of working on 38 books and supporting 23 incredible authors. I’ve also served as a writing judge for Saturday Writers and have been featured by two authors—one in a blog post and another on a Substack. Even more meaningful? The kind words from 12 happy testimonials that remind me why I do this work.
Through editing so many beautiful, diverse stories, I realized where my heart truly belongs: romance. There’s something about the depth of emotion, the raw vulnerability, and the personal connections in romance that I just can’t get enough of. That’s why I now specialize in line editing, proofreading, and sensory writing coaching—to help romance authors create stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings and leave a lasting impact.
Niching down feels right. It’s fulfilling. It’s authentic. And it aligns perfectly with where I want to grow—not just as an editor, but as someone who truly believes in the power of love stories.
If you’re an author pouring your heart into a romance novel, know this: your story matters. Your voice matters. And I’d be honored to help you bring it to life. 💖