Bryn Donovan

Bryn Donovan – Editor

Former executive editor in publishing, specializing in romance and mystery. I give detailed but encouraging edits, and I help with querying!

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 forthcoming from Berkley Publishing/Penguin Random House. I am LGBTQ-friendly.


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 Paranormal Romance Romantic Comedy Time Travel Romance
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

Sunrise Cabin

Donovan, Stacey

Christmas at the Amish Market

Gray, Shelley Shepard

Bryn has 52 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lynda C.

Lynda C.

Nov, 2024

This was my first time hiring a developmental editor and it was a good learning experience. I will take some of these lessons on to my next project, so it was a worthwhile investment. I enjoyed my experience with Bryn, she was fast to respond to messages and gave a really quick turnaround with the edit. She was also really friendly which made this process a lot less scary.
Jodie L.

Jodie L.

Nov, 2024

.
Ashley E.

Ashley E.

Nov, 2024

Even though I wish there was a little more to the query letter, I appreciate what she provided and will definitely use it as my first run with querying agents.
Sondra A.

Sondra A.

Nov, 2024

Great job.
Camille H.

Camille H.

Oct, 2024

Bryn's editing job was thorough and detailed, as far as we can see. We reviewed nearly every change and suggestion, and were in full agreement with her changes 99.9% of the time. Her notes were helpful and to the point. And where our author needed to address or rephrase something, Bryn's suggestions and reasoning for why a change was needed were easy to understand and fully appropriate to call ...
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