Fiction Editing Services

Hire top freelance fiction book editing professionals on Reedsy. Get your manuscript polished in three easy steps: sign up, upload your project brief, and request quotes from professionals of your choice!

Maleah

Maleah

Nashville, United States

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


Work experience:

  • Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins Christian Publishers)
  • Thomas Nelson

Services: Editing editing Copy Editing copy-editing Proofreading proofreading

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

Tammy

Tammy

California, United States

Editor specializing in fantasy and science fiction and their many subgenres. As dedicated to words as a hobbit to breakfast.


Services: Editing editing Copy Editing copy-editing Editorial Assessment editorial-assessment

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Epic Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Steampunk

Dave

Dave

Seattle, United States

Experienced copyeditor, proofreader, and fact checker proficient with Chicago style. I specialize in literary and historical fiction.


Work experience:

  • (self-employed)

Services: Editing editing Copy Editing copy-editing Proofreading proofreading

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Music, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, True Crime

Erin L.

Erin L.

Seattle, Washington, United States

24+ awards in writing and editing • 30+ books edited • Specialties include nonfiction and poetry • Ph.D. student, lit and creative writing


Work experience:

  • Cavendish Square, Wiley, & other publishers
  • Open Books: A Poem Emporium
  • Killer Visual Strategies
  • Various magazines
  • The Kentucky Standard
  • Sarabande Books
  • Entre Ríos Books

Services: Editing editing Developmental Editing developmental-editing Copy Editing copy-editing Editorial Assessment editorial-assessment Proofreading proofreading

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Poetry, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Nature, Children’s Non-Fiction

Karen

Karen

Grand Prairie, United States

Experienced copy editor of fantasy, dystopian, paranormal, and speculative fiction. Specializes in working with indie authors.


Work experience:

  • INDIE Books Gone Wild
  • Karen Robinson
  • Ivy Tech Community College, Lafayette, Indiana
  • Purdue University
  • Texas A&M University
  • AgIT Department, Purdue University
  • Blinn College
  • Cancer Information Group
  • Arthur Andersen
  • Texas A&M University Press
  • Arthuriana (academic journal)
  • PLY Magazine
  • UC San Diego Extension

Services: Editing editing Copy Editing copy-editing Proofreading proofreading

Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Time Travel

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Morristown, United States

Former Senior Editor at Ballantine Books; specializes in content editing of non-fiction (self-help, parenting, wellbeing) & fiction.


Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • The Ballantine Publishing Group/Division of Random House, Inc.

Services: Editing editing Developmental Editing developmental-editing Editorial Assessment editorial-assessment Query Letter Review query-letter-review

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Parenting & Families, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Fiction, Women's Fiction

Anne

Anne

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I’m a developmental editor who has worked with star writers and beginners. I specialize in memoir, personal growth, and LGBTQ+ projects.


Work experience:

  • The Advocate
  • Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor
  • Well Again
  • self

Services: Editing editing Developmental Editing developmental-editing Copy Editing copy-editing Editorial Assessment editorial-assessment Query Letter Review query-letter-review

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Inspirational, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Humor & Comedy

Ann Leslie

Ann Leslie

New York City, NY, United States

Experienced editor and agent in women's fiction/romance/thriller. I have worked with NYT and USA Today bestselling authors as well as debut.


Work experience:

  • Harlequin Books
  • Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

Services: Editing editing Developmental Editing developmental-editing Editorial Assessment editorial-assessment

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

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Hire the best fiction editors


You know the saying — behind every great work of fiction is a great editor. Ask any author, and they’ll confirm exactly how important their editor was to the success — and existence — of their book. After all, there’s a reason why one of the first people that authors thank in their acknowledgements chapter is usually their editor.


“Fiction editing” is quite a broad term that encompasses multiple types of editing across several genres. One of these is developmental editing, where the editor helps the author improve the overall structure and plot of their story by offering feedback on character development, pacing, and other key fiction elements. Another is copy editing, which zeroes in on the individual lines of the story, making sure that each line is clear, concise, and stylistically consistent with the rest of the manuscript. A third type is proofreading, which checks works of fiction for spelling or typographical mistakes.


Fiction editors tend to specialize in a number of genres, like children’s books, romance, or science fiction — specializing means they can stay on top of genre conventions and tropes and keep up with new market trends. On Reedsy’s marketplace, you can search for fiction editors by genre, by selecting the category that best fits your project. Having had years of experience working at Big 5 publishers, our editors know exactly what it takes to spot common issues recurring in each genre and launch a bestseller. They’ve edited New York Times bestselling titles authors like George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, and Margaret Atwood — and now they’re ready to help perfect your masterpiece-in-the-making.


To browse their portfolios and start working with a professional fiction editor today, simply sign up for a free account on Reedsy.

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