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 117 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jessica M.

Jessica M.

Mar, 2026

Pinned
I am so glad to have had the opportunity to work with Bryn. Her edits and recommendations were on point and helped me achieve a level of polish on my manuscript I didn't think I would be able to reach. She was both thorough and speedy delivering more than I had expected in a short window of time....
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Sara B.

Sara B.

Feb, 2026

Pinned
Bryn was wonderful to collaborate with. She’s not only experienced and knowledgeable, but genuinely thoughtful in her approach. Her suggestions showed a deep understanding of story and craft, and she raised points I hadn’t even thought to question. Her turnaround time was impressively fast (just ...
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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...
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Ana N.

Ana N.

Apr, 2026

I had an excellent experience working with Bryn. She was punctual, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable about both story structure and dialogue. She provided thoughtful advice, practical tips, clear suggestions, and creative solutions. She pointed out issues and brought great ideas to the t...
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Laci C.

Laci C.

Mar, 2026

The edits on my query were spot on. I had been working on this letter for almost three months. Over working on it, honestly. And Bryn had managed to take everything I had, simplify it, and give me something that I no longer had to obsess over. She made the query process seem so much less daunting.

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