Bryn Donovan

Bryn Donovan – Editor

Former publishing executive and author; exceptional book editor. I give detailed, encouraging edits to help you reach your author goals!

Overview

Hey, brilliant author. Let's work together!

I have a long track record of doing developmental and copy editing for romance and mystery novels, including USA Today bestsellers and books that became movies. I've worked with New York Times bestselling authors who have published dozens of books, and I've worked with complete beginners.

I'm the former executive editor of Hallmark Publishing, although I also enjoy working on R-rated stories. I'm a #1 Publishers Weekly bestselling author (Sunrise Cabin, writing as Stacey Donovan), I developed the storyline for the first movie in the Christmas in Evergreen franchise, and I have two spicy time travel/romantic comedy novels from Berkley Publishing/Penguin Random House.

I am LGBTQ-friendly. I do not use AI in any way in my editing or my writing.

As an editor, I reviewed thousands of query letters and synopses, and I love helping writers with those, too. Since I became a full-time freelance author in fall 2022, several of my clients have gotten their first book deals. I have a lot of experience with self-publishing and I love working with indie authors, too!

I'm a detailed editor—one client referred to my "freakish laser focus." However, I also make a lot of encouraging notes. I want you to recognize your strengths as a writer so you can make the most of them! I'm particularly good at working with authors on plotting and structure. I've taught creative writing at the University of Arizona and at conferences, and my teaching experience helps me explain edits clearly so you can apply the explanation to future projects.

I'd love to help you level up as a writer and reach your author goals!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Romantic Comedy
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • MFA, Creative Writing, University of Arizona

Work experience

Hallmark Publishing at the Hallmark Channel

Feb, 2017 — Sep, 2022 (over 5 years)
I headed up a fiction publishing imprint of the Hallmark Channel, specializing in romance and cozy mystery books published in ebook, trade paperback, mass market paperback, and audiobook and sold on Amazon and in Barnes and Noble, Target, and Walmart. I acquired and edited books, art directed book covers, and oversaw book marketing, publicity, and all other aspects of the publishing business.

Self-employed

Sep, 2022 — Present
I provide professional developmental editing, copy editing, and query and synopsis collaboration and feedback for authors.

Portfolio

Whiskey Business: A Mixology Lounge Mystery

Andover, Adrian

Chestnut Avenue Press

Double Happiness: A Novel

Eng, Heather

Tiny Reparations Books

Wrapped Up in Christmas

Lynn, Janice

Tule Publishing

Developmental Editing
Her Time Traveling Duke

Donovan, Bryn

Berkley

Her Knight at the Museum

Donovan, Bryn

Berkley

Christmas at the Amish Market

Gray, Shelley Shepard

Bryn has 111 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Harriet A.

Harriet A.

Dec, 2025

Pinned
This is the second project of mine that Bryn has worked on, and I am fortunate to find such an incredible editor this early in my publishing career. She has such a sharp eye for mistakes, awkward phrasing, and those pesky inconsistency errors. Also, I genuinely feel like she is excited about my b...
Read more
Lynn R.

Lynn R.

Nov, 2025

Pinned
I had never used a developmental editor before but had a feeling it could improve the quality of my book, so I took a chance. Wow. Just wow. Thanks to Bryn Donovan I am now a firm believer in the developmental edit! She made a number of very insightful observations (almost to the point of me thin...
Read more
Andrea S.

Andrea S.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
This is the second time I've used Bryn to help with a query and she couldn't have been more amazing! My first query for her was a simple check on the comps but THIS convoluted story required so much more digging in and understanding, and Bryn navigated all of that with patience and great energy....
Read more
Kelly D.

Kelly D.

Feb, 2026

So excited to be working with Bryn. Her feedback on my outline will help me craft my next novel, and I'm looking forward to working with her once my draft is complete.
E.H. L.

E.H. L.

Feb, 2026

It was great working with Bryan and getting her feedback as an insider. I feel confident moving forward and giving my current query package a try.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Bryn and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Bryn

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Stephanie Doig

Stephanie D.

I’m a professional, enthusiastic romance editor with more than 15 years of experience at a big five publishing house. Let’s work together!

Toronto, ON, Canada

100% reply rate

View profile
Kieran Devaney

Kieran D.

Experienced crime, thriller, and contemporary fiction editor. Books published with Big Five as well as indies. Author and academic.

Birmingham, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Jessy Sykes

Jessy S.

Experienced copy editor with 25+ years in Mysteries, Suspense & True Crime delivering accuracy, clarity, and polished prose.

Columbus, OH, USA

100% reply rate

View profile