The best book editors for hire near Chicago

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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

Natalie 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I bring thoughtful, thorough, and professional edits and feedback to copyediting or proofreading lifestyle and business projects.

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Health & Wellbeing, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Psychology, and Humanities & Social Sciences.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Educational Publisher
  • Science Connected Magazine

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.

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

Joe 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

30+ yrs. editing fiction & nonfiction. I polish, strengthen, and bring out the best in your manuscript. Free sample 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

Nicole 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Former Big 5 editor with 10+ years of experience in fantasy, romance, horror, and any combination therein. Let's get cooking!

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Romantic Fantasy, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • InterVarsity Press
  • Del Ray (Penguin Random House)
  • 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

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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

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

Helen 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

efficient, thoughtful, and agile editor serving indie authors, traditional publishers, and university presses | nonfiction and fiction

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, and Psychology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Gene 5 star rating

Houston, United States

Creative, experienced editor of novels, children's books, and poetry. Let's prepare your manuscript for publication together.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Poetry, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Uptown Stories
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Scholastic
  • HarperEntertainment
  • Daniel Weiss Associates/17th Street Productions
  • Denver Quarterly
  • San Jacinto College South

Ray 5 star rating

Northampton, United States

Developmental editing and copy editing for the nonfiction world: health, nutrition, fitness, tech, and entrepreneurship.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Health & Wellbeing, Sports & Outdoors, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Business & Management, Computers & Internet, and Technology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Winning Edits
  • Rocket Code
  • Amazon Services (Amazon.com)
  • Smart Passive Income
  • Buy Box Experts
  • The Storied Future

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

Sandra 5 star rating

Omaha, United States

Skilled nonfiction book editor in business/leadership, true crime, selected memoirs. Get from idea to published. I love first-time authors.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Psychology, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and True Crime.

Work experience:

  • Southeast Community College
  • Self-employed
  • Metropolitan Community College

I'm a professional children's book editor with experience in trade, licensed, and educational publishing.

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

Work experience:

  • American Reading Company
  • Sterling Children's Books (now Union Square & Co.)
  • Simon Spotlight, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
  • Independent Publishers Group
  • Albert Whitman & Company

Karli 5 star rating

Clarksville, TN, United States

Editor who specializes in developing manuscripts and is passionate about helping authors craft their best stories!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Christian Publishing

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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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