The best book editors for hire near Chicago

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MJ 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fiction editor at top trade publisher with over 9 years of experience editing debuts and bestsellers across genres - collaborative and kind!

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks

Cassie 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Experienced fiction, nonfiction, and YA editor focused on precision, constructive criticism, and lots of Parks and Rec references.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, True Crime, Romance, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks
  • Open Road Integrated Media
  • Macmillan

Marie 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Sharp, seasoned proofreader of memoir, nonfiction, business, women's well-being, and self-help books. I take pride in my work, and yours.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Health & Wellbeing, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Parenting & Families.

Work experience:

  • Scribe Media
  • The Urban Writers
  • Freelance

Don 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I do developmental editing in social science and the humanities. From first drafts through to publication, I like helping scholars succeed.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, and Political Science & Current Affairs.

Work experience:

  • CEMSE, University of Chicago
  • University of Chicago Press
  • Self

Avner 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Professional editor, ghostwriter, and author of literary fiction and non-fiction who can help get you and your book across the finish line.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Contemporary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, and Humor & Comedy.

Work experience:

  • Texas-based Publishing Services Company
  • Self-employed

Editor with 24+ years of experience in biography, memoir, history, and fiction for adults and children at various publishing companies.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, True Crime, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Children’s Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Heinemann-Raintree
  • Quarasan
  • McGraw-Hill
  • Publications International, Ltd.
  • Capstone Publishers
  • Self-employed

Proofreader for light novels, manga, graphic novels, and children's fiction with experience at Macmillan Children's and Yen Press.

Genres: Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, Comics & Graphic Novels, Young Adult, and LGBTQ Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Yen Press
  • Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

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Angela 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Veteran editor with expertise in K-12 education, especially literature and writing. I am also a professional garden designer and consultant.

Genres: Education & Reference and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • McGraw-Hill Education
  • Self-employed

Mohamad 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Ph.D level expertise with over 12 years of developmental, editing, and proofreading consulting experience.

Genres: Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, Political Science & Current Affairs, Law, Writing & Publishing, Biographies & Memoirs, Christian Non-Fiction, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Florida Gulf Coast University
  • International Network for Hate Studies

Susan 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Trad and indie fiction editor of SF/F, horror, and romance. Lover of all things nerdy, steamy, and everything in between.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Epic Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Horror, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Multigenre editor with a knack for offbeat characters and juicy plots. I love indie publishing and contemporary fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Loyola University Chicago

Elayne 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fantasy author, former Tor Books editor, and speculative fiction specialist with 10+ years' experience editing SFF across age categories.

Genres: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Tor Teen, Macmillan Publishers
  • Tor Books, Macmillan Publishers
  • Alyssa Matesic Editing

Rebecca 5 star rating

Chicago, Illinois, USA

200+ books in print & 15+ years in publishing. I help storytellers turn messy drafts into page-turners that readers can’t put down.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Sourcebooks
  • Integra

Richard 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I am a writer, editor, and researcher with 19 years of experience. I work with all kinds of content, from science to business to marketing.

Genres: Life Sciences, Math & Science, Non-Fiction, Nature, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Education & Reference, Entertainment, Home & Garden, and History.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Will 5 star rating

Chicago, United States

Trusted big-5 copy editor and proofreader for romance, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, suspense, and all the sub-genres therein.

Genres: Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Espionage, Thriller & Suspense, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Urban Fantasy, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Berkley Publishing (Penguin Random House)
  • Harlequin Romance (HarperCollins)
  • Orbit Books / Redhook (Hachette)

Maleah 5 star rating

Nashville, United States

Former Thomas Nelson editor with 20 years experience in Christian non-fiction, study products, and Bibles

Genres: Inspirational, Non-Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins Christian Publishers)
  • Thomas Nelson

Bryn 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

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

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Romantic Comedy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Hallmark Publishing at the Hallmark Channel

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Hire the best book editors in Chicago, Illinois

You might be wondering, why should you work with a professional editor when you can simply turn to Grammarly? Editing is perhaps one of the most important parts of publishing that cannot be replaced by technology. The insight into writing and knowledge of the industry that professional editors bring to the table are irreplaceable when it comes to publishing a book that will truly shine — which is why it's strongly recommended that you work with an editor if you're planning to self-publish. They can cover every aspect of editing that your book needs, from the all-important developmental editing to the popular proofread.

How do you find the great book editors in Chicago, though? At Reedsy, we did the searching for you. Our editors in Chicago come with decades of experience workeing with a ton of successfully published authors such as George R.R. Martin and Suzanne Collins. Looking for an editor in this vein? You’ve come to the right place — we can connect you with them at Reedsy. Sign up now to begin your collaborative journey with the perfect editor for you.

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Step 3

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