17+ Best developmental editors for hire in the United States

Eliza

Maplewood, NJ, United States

I'm a detail-oriented editor, specializing in children's nonfiction, with 10 years of experience at publishing houses and literary agencies

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

Diversion Books
Self-employed
Leigh Feldman Literary
The Bent Agency
Callisto Media
Rebel Girls

Abby

Portland, United States

Dedicated editor of children's books specializing in middle grade and YA fiction. Worked at HarperCollins, Disney-Hyperion, and Scholastic.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

HarperCollins
Disney-Hyperion
Scholastic
Self-employed

Jenn

Leawood, KS, United States

I am an award-winning author and editor of books for children and young adults. I specialize in humor, fantasy, and scifi.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Picture Books, Children's, Action & Adventure, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Lisa

New York, NY, United States

Developmental editor of narrative nonfiction (and book proposals) with 35+ years' experience at major trade publishers in NYC.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Psychology, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

PublicAffairs
Self-employed
Carol Publishing Group
Viking Penguin
Random House
University of Texas

Christopher

Gallatin, United States

Accomplished editor specializing in general and Christian non-fiction. Editor of 60 published books. Here to help you tell your story!

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Philosophy, Education & Reference, Inspirational, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

B&H Academic
Moody Publishers
Lexham Press and Kirkdale Press
Self-employed

Julie

New York, United States

I'm an editor with nearly two decades of experience in publishing, most recently at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Middle Grade, Children's, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, and Dystopian.

Work experience:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Wayt

Seattle, United States

Award-winning science writer, editor, and publishing consultant for high-profile media. Also produce videos, podcasts, and presentations.

Genres: Computers & Internet, Non-Fiction, Technology, Engineering, Math & Science, Physics & Chemistry, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Engineering & Materials Science, and Life Sciences.

Work experience:

Intellectual Ventures
Self-employed
Scientific American

Anne

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I'm a former LGBTQ+ Editor in Chief with a film background and years of success nurturing star writers and beginners. Let's tell your story!

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Historical Fiction, Inspirational, and Entertainment.

Work experience:

The Advocate
Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor
Well Again
self
Self-employed

Dawn

Hoboken, NJ, United States

Experienced, dedicated editor specializing in memoir and literary fiction, with a shelf full of clients' published books.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Judaism, Religion & Spirituality, Buddhism, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Entertainment, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

Reader's Digest
O, The Oprah Magazine
More Magazine
The Literarian
Self-employed

Maria

Sebastopol, CA, United States

I've completed 50+ projects in current events, leadership, thrillers/susp./mystery, YA, historical-fi, sci-fi, fantasy, contemporary ....

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime, Cultural & Ethnic, Biographies & Memoirs, and Romance.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Holly

Springfield, United States

Experienced fiction editor, formerly with Samhain Publishing. I specialize in romance and other genre fiction.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, New Adult, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Self-employed
Mundania Press
Lyrical Press

Emily

New York, United States

Bestselling nonfiction book editor. Formerly at Penguin Random House, Macmillan, and Callisto Media.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, True Crime, Political Science & Current Affairs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, and Sports & Outdoors.

Work experience:

Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, Macmillan
Portfolio/Sentinel/Current, Penguin Random House

Lynsey

Missoula, United States

(She/they.) Over a decade of in-house and freelance editorial work for Big 5 publishers & private clients across genres.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Penguin Random House
Fordham University Press
City College of New York
Skadden-Arps Legal Studies Program at City College of New York
WHACK! Magazine
Penguin Group (USA)
Self-employed

Lindsey

New York, United States

Experienced editor from a Big Five publisher specializing in mystery, suspense, and thrillers.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Grand Central Publishing
Crooked Lane Books

Matthew

Durham, NC, United States

Copy and developmental editor specializing in humanities, social sciences, general and creative nonfiction, as well as literary fiction.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Music, Education & Reference, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Art, and Geography.

Work experience:

Self-employed
UNC Press
Duke University

Arnie

Kihei, HI, United States

I edit books on psychology, spirituality, social justice, and wellness. I've worked with Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, and Jack Kornfield.

Genres: Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Buddhism, Religion & Spirituality, Biographies & Memoirs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and New Age.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Koa Books
Parallax Press
Whole Earth Bookstore

Erin

Los Angeles, United States

Experienced writer, editor and agent with an MFA in Creative Writing. I have edited New York Times bestselling books and series. 10+ years

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience: