The best developmental editors for hire near Boston

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Jenna 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

NYT bestselling author, 27-year novel workshop leader, and editor dedicated to helping get your book published! #BookWhisperer #QueryQueen

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, and Short Story.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Lori 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

Trad published author of 7 novels inc. KISS, MARRY, KILL (Harper, 4/7/26) & NPR Book of the Day ROMANTIC FRICTION (2025). Query specialist.

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

  • Charlesbridge Publishing
  • Grub Street

Margie 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

Editor specializing in fiction and nonfiction for children 4-12, including easy readers, early chapter books, and picture books.

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, and Middle Grade.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Children’s book editor; experience with picture books, early readers, middle grade, and NF

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

Work experience:

  • Charlesbridge Publishing
  • HMH
  • Boston Renaissance Charter Public School
  • EdSights

Fast, friendly editor who is alarmingly fond of Dystopian novels. Also: Sci-fi, all Fantasy, Women’s Fiction, YA, Christian-yes, absolutely.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Technothriller, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • SNHU
  • Wheelock College
  • Self-employed

Meticulous copy and developmental editor of nonfiction, equipped with diverse industry experience and a masters in Publishing.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Sociology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Kit 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

Queer editor of New York Times, Tor, and Elle best books ▪ interested in LGBTQ+ fiction and genre (sff, spec fic, romance) ▪ she/her

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Macmillan
  • Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency
  • Self-employed
  • Ploughshares
  • Emerson College
  • Bywater Books

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Celia 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

Mystery/suspense/true crime editor, over a decade of experience at major houses, New York Times bestselling and award-winning titles.

Genres: True Crime, Non-Fiction, Legal Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Medical Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Historical Mysteries.

Work experience:

  • Grand Central Publishing
  • Random House
  • Slice Literary
  • Self-employed

Sean 5 star rating

Denton, TX, United States

Editor of bestselling, award-winning middle grade, YA, and adult books, specializing in fantasy and sci-fi. Let's make your book stand out!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Romantic Fantasy, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Andrea Hurst and Associates, LLC
  • Andrea Hurst and Associates
  • Self-employed
  • Relay Publishing, LLC
  • The Editorial Department

Nell 5 star rating

Jacksonville, FL, United States

From bestselling business titles and cookbooks to academic manuscripts, I've helped authors polish their prose for more than 15 years.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • Callisto Media
  • The American University in Cairo Press
  • Millionacres and The Motley Fool
  • Bankrate

Emily 5 star rating

Boston, MA, USA

10+ years experience. Former Big Five & university press. Trade non-fiction by academics, journalists, and business practitioners.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Economics, Humanities & Social Sciences, History, Law, Political Science & Current Affairs, Psychology, and Sociology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Hachette Book Group
  • The MIT Press

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

Lindsey 5 star rating

New York, United States

Experienced editor from a Big Five publisher specializing in mystery, suspense, and thrillers.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Grand Central Publishing
  • Crooked Lane Books

Erin 5 star rating

Los Angeles, United States

Experienced writer, editor and agent with an MFA in Creative Writing. I have edited NYT bestsellers, including The Maze Runner. 15+ years

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • The Industry
  • tNY Press
  • Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC
  • 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

Marah 5 star rating

Washington, DC, United States

Incisive editor and collaborative, results-oriented project manager of health, food, and lifestyle books

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Simon & Schuster Trade Paperbacks
  • Scribner

Maria 5 star rating

Kansas City, MO, United States

Insightful, inspiring Developmental Editor of 25+ years specializing in Historical fiction, Self-Help, Spec fiction. Tailored-to-you edits.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Post-Apocalyptic, Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Psychology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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Hire the best developmental editors in Boston, Massachusetts

The best books require a lot of structural changes, even when you're truly pleased with your first draft. A developmental editor in Boston can turn your work into a bestseller — and they’re the first type of editor you should look at hiring, before you even think about smaller changes.

Developmental editors will look at the “big picture” of your story, fixing overarching and fundamental issues or inconsistencies with theme, plot, character development, and setting. Your professional will work alongside your creative voice to help you convey your story in the clearest way possible.

You can find all the best local developmental editors in Boston right here at Reedsy. Our community of professionals is vetted intensively so we only offer the best — many of whom have prior experiences working with the biggest publishers. Sign up to Reedsy to explore our community and kickstart your editing journey.

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