The best developmental editors for hire near Berkeley

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Zack 5 star rating

Berkeley, CA, USA

Zack is a widely published writer and experienced editor. He has helped authors polish their work for more than two decades.

Genres: Anthologies, Fiction, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Oppenheimer Investigations Group
  • Notre Dame de Namur University
  • Cornerstone Research
  • Various Master of Fine Arts Programs

Stephen 5 star rating

Maplewood, United States

Top editor for 30+ years, novelist, sf/f story writer, poet. Specializes in NF and SF/F. I'll help you write a book you're proud of. No AI.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Sports & Outdoors, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Avon Books
  • Wiley
  • Amacom
  • Thomas Dunne Books

Wayt 5 star rating

Seattle, United States

Award-winning science writer, editor, and publishing consultant for high-profile media. Also produce videos, podcasts, and presentations.

Genres: Computers & Internet, Non-Fiction, Technology, Engineering, Math & Science, Physics & Chemistry, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Engineering & Materials Science, and Life Sciences.

Work experience:

  • Intellectual Ventures
  • Self-employed
  • Scientific American

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

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

Jenn 5 star rating

Leawood, KS, United States

I am an award-winning author and editor of books for children and young adults. I specialize in humor, fantasy, and scifi.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Picture Books, Children's, Action & Adventure, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Maya 5 star rating

Charlotte, NC, United States

From the big picture to the tiniest detail, here to help you polish your craft. I work with publishers and individual authors.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Thriller & Suspense, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • Self-Employed

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Tracy 5 star rating

Baltimore, MD, United States

Passionate about helping writers realize their visions. I love picture books (especially rhyme!), young adult, fantasy, memoir, and more.

Genres: Short Story, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Agent Carrie Pestritto (formerly of Prospect Agency, now with LDLA)
  • Marketing Agency
  • University of Baltimore
  • SCBWI MD/DE/WV
  • Self-employed

Rachel 5 star rating

New York, United States

Literary agent turned editor of fiction & select memoir where narratives and protagonists have distinct, identifiable voices.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Humor & Comedy, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
  • Self-employed

Arnie 5 star rating

Kihei, HI, United States

I edit books on psychology, spirituality, social justice, and wellness. I've worked with Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, and Jack Kornfield.

Genres: Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Buddhism, Religion & Spirituality, Biographies & Memoirs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and New Age.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Koa Books
  • Parallax Press
  • Whole Earth Bookstore

Jennifer 5 star rating

Berkeley, CA, USA

Editor w/design background. Experience: Hybrid publishing, licensed publishing, self-publishing. Advocate for authors, readers, publishers.

Genres: Design, Non-Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Fashion & Textiles, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Insight Editions
  • Boyle & Dalton

Rebecca 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

With 10+ years of experience working at NYC publishers, I've edited 100s of books across genres. Thorough, candid, and easy to work with!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Young Adult, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Disney Publishing Worldwide
  • McGraw-Hill Education
  • Penguin Random House
  • Self-employed
  • Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Education

Kate 5 star rating

Baltimore, United States

Former S&S editor w/20 years of experience editing NYT bestselling & award-winning authors such as Nova Ren Suma & Kekla Magoon.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Children's, Women's Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Simon & Schuster Children's Books

Julia 5 star rating

Charleston, SC, United States

Line and copy editor, with content capabilities. I have the most experience in nonfiction, but my favorite edits are middle grade and YA.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • The History Press
  • Newgen KnowledgeWorks
  • Amnet

Adam 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

I'm a New York City-based editor specializing in commercial nonfiction, and have worked on several NYT-bestselling titles.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Travel, Entertainment, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, and Technology.

Work experience:

  • Penguin Books
  • Abrams Books
  • Public Affairs Books
  • Perseus Books Group
  • The Overlook Press
  • Sterling Publishing
  • Apollo Publishers

Holly 5 star rating

Springfield, United States

Experienced fiction editor, formerly with Samhain Publishing. I specialize in romance and other genre fiction.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, New Adult, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Samhain Publishing, Ltd
  • Self-employed
  • Mundania Press
  • Lyrical Press

Meredith 5 star rating

Bothell, WA, United States

Writer, collaborative editor, and writing coach specializing in helping clients tell their best stories.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Nature, Women's Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Short Story, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

  • UW Medicine
  • Talaria, Inc.
  • Ashford University
  • Enclara Health
  • North Seattle Community College
  • Antioch University Seattle
  • Self-employed

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Hire the best developmental editors in Berkeley

A developmental editor will play a significant role in shaping the “big picture” of your book and work with you to perfect the themes, characters, and plot of your story. As such, it’s critical to find an editor who’s experienced in your specific genre and knows the publishing industry inside-out. Just as importantly, you’ll want to find a developmental editor who can match your communication and writing style, and can deliver feedback effectively and efficiently. Editor-author relationships are imperative to the success of your book.

If your looking for the perfect editing partner, search no further: the best developmental editors in Berkeley (and the world) are on Reedsy. We vet all of our publishing professionals rigorously to make sure that they meet your standards. Our developmental editors offer constructive critique and the skills needed to make your manuscript the best that it can be. Find your development editor in Berkeley today — just sign up for free to get a quote today.

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