The best book editors for hire near Chicago

Sign up for free to meet top book editors on Reedsy

Will 5 star rating

Chicago, United States

I provide the same full-service copyediting and proofreading that you would receive from a Big-5 publisher, of which three are clients.

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

Work experience:

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

Joe 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Thorough. Friendly. Experienced. Punctual. I'm here to help you take your writing to the next level. Free sample edits available.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Entertainment, Sex & Relationships, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Solution Tree Press
  • Self-employed

Esther 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Eagle-eyed proofreader and copy editor with over a decade of publishing experience. I make your stories error-free and a joy to read.

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Young Adult, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Women's Fiction, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Albert Whitman
  • Kidsbooks
  • Phoenix International Publications, Inc.
  • The Little Things Publishing, LLC
  • Lemur Press
  • Penguin Random House - Penguin Young Readers
  • Mascot Books
  • Scholastic
  • Macmillan Publishing
  • ABRAMS
  • Charlesbridge Publishing
  • Walt Disney Company
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Hachette Book Group, Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Lizzie 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Nimble, warm, and energetic literary editor with 10 years' experience shepherding projects from manuscript to award-winning finished book.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Parenting & Families, Non-Fiction, and LGBTQ Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Coffee House Press
  • Transit Books
  • Self-employed

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

Madison 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Honest, constructive, and compassionate feedback from a full-time editor and published author. I edit kid lit, from picture books to YA.

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

Work experience:

  • Albert Whitman & Company
  • Albert Whitman & Compaby
  • C&T Publishing

Editor, published writer (10+ years), multilingual creative, experienced in publishing, line/developmental editing, creative coaching.

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Art, and Humanities & Social Sciences.

Work experience:

  • New Harbinger Publications
  • Page Street Publishing
  • The Nasiona
  • Reckoning Press
  • Strange Horizons
  • FLAPPERHOUSE
  • Self-employed

📞 Chat with our team

Need a hand finding the perfect professional? Our team is here to help. Get in touch for recommendations.

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

Jenni 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Intelligent, respectful editing for trade & scholarly nonfiction, esp. American history, history of religions, art history. $0.05/word.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, and Art.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • The University of Chicago Press

Developmental Editor with 15+ years of experience from every side of publishing and the marketplace knowledge to make your book shine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy, Time Travel Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • Self-employed
  • Fresh Fiction
  • Anderson's Bookshop

Bailey 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Developmental editor of narrative nonfiction and literary fiction with experience at Hachette, Melville House, and SAGE.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Women's Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Andrea 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm a children's book editor with nearly a decade of experience, focusing on social-emotional learning, multiculturalism, and diversity.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy, Picture Books, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Holiday, Social & Family Issues, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Beaming Books/1517 Media
  • Albert Whitman & Company

Grace 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Mystery || Fantasy || Speculative — 10+ years at Big Five and indies with NYT, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestsellers. Booking July onwards

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group)
  • Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen
  • JMH Scouting

10+ years in children’s publishing. Former executive editor at Albert Whitman & Co.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Social & Family Issues, Young Adult, and Coming of Age.

Work experience:

  • Albert Whitman & Company
  • Red Line Editorial
  • Self-employed

Kathryn 5 star rating

Chicago, United States

Experienced developmental book editor specializing in parenting books as well as children's PB, MG and YA fiction.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Parenting & Families, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • The Purcell Literary Agency
  • Entangled Publishing
  • Author Claudia Gray

Vesela 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Decades of experience with transformational and creative nonfiction spanning topics in holistic health, psychology, spirituality, and more.

Genres: Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality, Health & Wellbeing, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Association for Research and Enlightenment
  • Institute of Noetic Sciences
  • Yoga Journal

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

Browse 2,000+ additional profiles

Create your free Reedsy account and begin requesting free quotes.

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.

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse professional profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.