Editing and consulting for fiction with ancient-world elements
I help authors of fantasy and historical fiction turn scattered drafts into charged, page-turning novels, specialising in myth retellings and ancient-world settings.
From fascinating history to focused plot and polished prose
‘Her passion for history and deep knowledge of both historical and fantasy genres shine through.’
It’s been my pleasure to work with Kahina on developmental edits for several books in my Norsewomen series, and I recommend her highly. Her passion for history and deep knowledge of both historical and fantasy genres shine through in every edit she has provided.
Kahina has an amazing ability to pinpoint both the strengths and opportunities in my manuscripts, always offering insightful feedback and suggestions that assist me in delivering a polished, captivating story. If you’re looking for an editor who understands historical fiction and fantasy inside and out, Kahina is an excellent choice.
— Johanna Wittenberg, historical fantasy author
‘The prequel became an Amazon bestseller.’
Working with Kahina as a structural editor has been an amazing experience. For my first novel, To Rescue a Witch, she gave me a very detailed report of what did and didn’t work and (most helpfully) offered specific, actionable advice to improve the story.
This was followed up by a Zoom call where she answered my questions about the report. I found her report so useful, not only did I hire her for a follow-up report, I also hired her to edit the prequel, To Condemn a Witch.
My debut novel was named a finalist for a Next Generation Indie Book Award and the prequel became an Amazon bestseller. I HIGHLY recommend her editorial services and am looking forward to working with her again.
— Lisa A. Traugott, historical fiction author
‘Her perceptive expertise is motivating and invaluable.’
Let’s be honest. If you’ve done your job as a writer, you will send an editor what you feel is your absolutely best work. I have done this numerous times with Kahina, and each time I receive back ten or more single-spaced pages of personalized suggestions (I think of them as assignments) on how to improve my novels.
Plot, characters, theme, and setting, she respectfully covers them all in clear and professional detail. Like with any great teacher, her perceptive expertise is motivating and invaluable. Thank you, Kahina!
— John Blossom, multi-award-winning author of fantasy with folklore elements
I’m Kahina—
your editor for ancient-world fiction.
The ancient world survives today only in fragments: inscriptions, texts, ruins, artefacts. Fiction is one of the ways we translate those fragments back into lived human experience.
Fantasy and historical fiction with ancient-world elements allow modern readers to step inside worlds that would otherwise remain distant and abstract.
But fascinating history doesn’t automatically become a compelling novel. Turning historical material into a story with tension, character change, a beginning that hooks, and an ending that satisfies is its own craft.
I work with writers of ancient-world fiction to help them transform history into story that truly comes alive. In the process, I train history nerds to become storytellers who steward forgotten worlds.
You bring the history and the inspiration. I help you shape them into a book that immerses, moves, and makes meaning.
As seen in
Historical fiction set in any of these periods:
Prehistoric
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical
Late antiquity
Early medieval
Mythology-inspired fiction and myth retellings
Ancient historical romance, including LGBTQ+
Biblical fiction
Women-centered ancient historical fiction
Ancient military fiction
Who I work with
I work with a wide varitety of fantasy and historical fiction writers but specialise in the ancient world. Ancient-world fiction is broader than you might think! I’ll love your story if it fits into any of these categories:
Children’s ancient historical fiction (middle grade and young adult)
Ancient historical fantasy
Urban fantasy with mythological elements
Fantasy with settings inspired by ancient history
Biographical fiction of ancient figures
Erotica with ancient settings or mythological elements
Ancient adventure fiction
Ancient historical mystery and crime fiction
Archaeological fiction
Don’t see your story represented here but still want to work together? Get in touch! This list isn’t exhaustive.
Choose your service
Which of these best describes where you are in your writing journey?
‘I have an outline or partial draft, but I’m stuck.’
‘I’ve finished a draft and am ready to revise.’
‘I’m almost done and need my book publication-ready.’
‘working with Kahina improved both my debut novel and my overall craft as an author.’
As a debut author, it was important to me to find an editor that was broadly talented to help improve my writing, but who also had niche experience in my sub-genres to ensure my book was the best product it could be.
While I was waitlisted to work with Kahina, the experience was absolutely worth pushing my publishing timeline! Her thorough review of my manuscript brought out its strengths, my writing opportunities, as well as notes on selling points to consider in revisions.
While many independent authors choose to self-edit, working with Kahina improved both my debut novel and my overall craft as an author.
— C. L. Rhodes, author of Harem Lies, an ancient historical romance set in Sasanian Persia
‘I have never come across an editor who so intuitively understands the story I want to tell.’
I could never have got where I am without Kahina’s insightful and encouraging critiques.
They have been invaluable in helping me to recognise my strengths as a writer, work on the areas that need improvement, and produce stories that I am proud of.
I have never come across an editor who so intuitively understands the story I want to tell and invests so much to ensure the outcome is the absolute best it can be.
— Paula Constant, author of the Visigoths of Spain series
‘Kahina has served as my literary Gandalf.’
Over the course of nearly two years, Kahina has served as my literary Gandalf as I traversed the treacherous landscape of rewrites and revisions (and she made it fun!).
Her care and guidance have been invaluable to me as a first-time novelist, and I couldn’t be happier with how my manuscript has turned out.
I have grown so much as a writer, and I am truly grateful to have had my story in the hands of such a talented, capable editor!
— Jordan Toles, returning client with strong agent interest in his debut speculative fiction novel