David Yurkovich

David Yurkovich – Editor

Reedsy editor specializing in SF, horror, crime, lit, and short stories. I have many repeat clients because I help you make an amazing book!

Overview

book editor - journal editor - graphic novelist - publisher - writer


Did you know that only 0.0005%– 0.001% of the world's population are published authors. If you've completed your manuscript, then you're one step closer to joining this elite group. A high-quality edit can get you across the finish line.


Let's make 2025 your year!


I'm an experienced copy editor and developmental editor with > 20 years of experience working in publishing. I am also co-owner of a small press with four publishing imprints. We publish literary, sci-fi, detective, horror, and memoir.


Why you should work with me: I am easy going and detail oriented (some would say meticulously so) in helping authors polish their work. I will edit your work, keeping in mind both the editorial aspect as well as the reader aspect of the manuscript. In other words, my approach to editing is not merely to edit, but to also read the work as a fan. At the same time, I am extremely respectful to your voice and your work. My job is not to rewrite you, but to serve as an objective professional whose role it is to help make your work shine. I've written and/or edited many agent query letters and have performed tons of editorial assessments. I throw in a free query letter and/or editorial assessment with every edit. Every edit I do includes a combination of developmental, line, copy, and proofreading. If I see it, I show you.


Having worked with several agents, I've learned that it's good to trust that a skilled editor will objectively spot issues unseen to the author. Ultimately, I would like you to be highly satisfied with the work I perform and derive value from it, I strive to ensure that the level of editing performed matches your desired expectations. I make it my mission not to change your voice or rewrite your story. I sometime teach in my comments, because I like all authors to leave our collaboration empowered and better informed about writing and editing. I began publishing before KDP and print-on-demand existed, and can share insights about self-publishing. I've also been repped by an agent, and can give a little insight there too, and am happy to share my experiences if they're helpful.


Speaking of which, I enjoy working on short stories a lot and can turnaround works of up to 5k words within 24-48 hours if needed. I'm usually online and will reply to your messages quickly, often within minutes.


For large format works, I recommend we work in batches. If cost is an issue, I'm happy to work with you. With some authors, I edit a chapter a month. This is sometimes more economical for the author, because it provides them with an opportunity to review my work as we go, and collaborate on revisions. Again, I'm very flexible. Please take a moment to review my feedback, and notice all my repeat customers.


I look forward to reading your stories!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Espionage Horror Literary Fiction Short Story Space Opera Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Xeric Foundation Grant Recipient
  • Delaware Division of the Arts Grant Recipient
  • National Federation of Press Women - Award for Best Novel (Editor)

Work experience

Freelance

Jan, 2010 — Present
Novel and short story editor.

Hearst Business Media

Jan, 2005 — Feb, 2019 (about 14 years)
Editing and technical editing, as well as editorial management.

Sleeping Giant

Apr, 1994 — Aug, 2007 (over 13 years)
Writer, illustrator, and publisher.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Halloween Party '21

Pearce, Dianne

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Back End of the Bell Curve: Tales of the Uncommonly Unlucky

Bradley, Phill

Dark Matter Publishing LLC

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Asteroid 6: And Other Tales of Cosmic Horror

Fulcher, R. David

Current Words Publishing

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Gifted Book I: The Rise of Blaze (The Gifted Series)

Antunes, Preston

Independently published

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Class of '86

Jones, Brad

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
WONDERSTAR TOWERS: INFINITE JOY

Five, Blaire

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Halloween Party '23

Keeten, Jeffrey

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Northern Route

Robinson, Walter

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Wire That Isn't Yours

Roune, Bjarke Hammersholt

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The Graviscape: Unexpected Expedition

Mollenkopf, M.A.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Modestbroad in Monster World

Newcomer, Crew

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The broccoli agenda

Yurkovich, David

New Santa | Crimson Red

Yurkovich, David

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Balance of Fortune

Newmin, Mel Lee

Developmental Editing
Glass Onion

Yurkovich, David

Less Than Heroes

Yurkovich, David

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing

David has 91 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Hayden K.

Hayden K.

Mar, 2024

Pinned
David was extremely professional and exceeded my expectations. His critiques and edits were thorough, thoughtful, and honest (which I appreciated the most). I also appreciated how he not only attempted to improve my story with his careful editing, but also teach me how to fix those mistakes and h...
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David Y.
Dear Hayden - Thank you for the kind words. It was a pleasure editing your story, and I'm so glad the feedback has been helpful. Best Wishes- David
mark M.

mark M.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
David is a superior editor that went above and beyond his responsibilities to ensure the success of my project. He has an exceptional ability to understand the essence of the story, providing feedback that not only improved its readability but also enhanced its depth and impact. David was always ...
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David Y.
Mark, thank you for the kind words. It's always a pleasure to work with you, and your writing continues to venture into amazing new places. Please keep me posted as your work becomes available for ...
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Crew N.

Crew N.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
I've worked with David twice now, and I can't imagine a better editor for me. David is professional, timely, kind, and seems to truly have fun while editing. He even helped point out my most recurring issues and explain what I was doing wrong. It was like a personalized grammar class to permanent...
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Tobby H.

Tobby H.

Jun, 2025

David did a great job editing my original query letter to something much stronger and inline with industry standards. He also explained the reasoning behind the edits and ways to tailor it to specific editors as needed.
David Y.
Hi Tobby - Thanks so much for the kind words. I really enjoyed working on your query letter and believe your novel has the chops to find a wide audience of readers. Wishing you tremendous success- ...
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Paulina D.

Paulina D.

May, 2025

David was kind enough to accept my request despite my short deadline, which he met on time. He not only gave excellent suggestions, he thoroughly combed through my work for any mistakes or possible improvements. His critique was done in a professional, honest, and polite way. He provided more tha...
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