The best copy editors for hire near Chicago

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Editor with 21+ 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

Allison 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Nonfiction copy editor and proofreader with 20+ years in the publishing biz. Music and mind/body/spirit titles are my jam!

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Entertainment, New Age, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • Synergetic Press
  • Chicago Review Press & Triumph Books
  • Chicago Review Press
  • No Starch Press

Bryn 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Former executive editor in publishing, specializing in romance and mystery. I give detailed but encouraging edits, and I help with querying!

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Hallmark Publishing at the Hallmark Channel

Will 5 star rating

Chicago, United States

Trusted copy editor and proofreader for romance, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, and suspense.

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)

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

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

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

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Bibiana 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Highly detailed freelance editor with 9 years of professional publishing experience in fiction and nonfiction. I'd love to read your work!

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Themes & Motifs, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Women's Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Macmillan Publishers
  • University of Wisconsin Press

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

Vesela 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Decades of work on publications about holistic health, psychology, personal growth, spirituality, and related studies on consciousness.

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

Work experience:

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

Jenni 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Intelligent, respectful editing. Insightful queries. Trade and scholarly (university press) nonfiction, esp. history, religion, art history.

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • The University of Chicago Press

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

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

Travis 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

A veteran developer of sports books and contemporary fiction, Travis has guided award-winning authors, emerging voices, and sports legends.

Genres: Sports & Outdoors, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, and Political Science & Current Affairs.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Beijing Language and Culture University
  • Sports Publishing LLC
  • TrueHoop

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

Mary-Theresa 5 star rating

New York, United States

Award winning editor with 25+ years in traditional publishing. Specializing in genre fiction. Looking to help make good stories well told.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

  • Harlequin

Sandra 5 star rating

Omaha, United States

Skilled nonfiction book editor and book coach in business, true crime, self-help. 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:

  • Metropolitan Community College
  • Self-employed

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Hire the best copy editors in Chicago, Illinois

As you might expect of the home of "The World's Greatest Newspaper," you can find some of the country's finest copy editors in Chicago. And if you're looking for the crème de la crème of Chicago copy editors, there's no better place to start than the Reedsy Marketplace.

With thousands of editors from across the world (including Illinois), Reedsy is home to only the most experienced and talented publishing freelancers. Many of them have worked for major presses and can help you copy edit your novels, memoirs, nonfiction books — or anything else you have that needs editing.

If you need a copy editor that's well-versed in The Chicago Manual of Style, why would you look anywhere else? Sign up for a free Reedsy account and meet them today.

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