The best developmental editors for hire near Chicago

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Joe 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fast. Friendly. Experienced. Thorough. I'm here to help you be your best. Sample edits 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

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

Betsy 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Experienced book developer and editor, specializing in nonfiction and inspirational content and coaching writers with their projects.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, and Judaism.

Work experience:

  • International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
  • Livingstone Corporation

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

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

Elayne 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fantasy author, former Tor Books editor, and speculative fiction specialist with 9+ years' experience editing SFF across age categories.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Epic Fantasy, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Tor Teen, Macmillan Publishers
  • Tor Books, Macmillan Publishers
  • Alyssa Matesic Editing

Developmental Editor with 15+ years of experience from every side of publishing and the marketplace knowledge to make your book shine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy, Time Travel Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • Self-employed
  • Fresh Fiction
  • Anderson's Bookshop

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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

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

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

Andrea 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm a children's book editor with nearly a decade of experience, focusing on social-emotional learning, multiculturalism, and diversity.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy, Picture Books, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Holiday, Social & Family Issues, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Beaming Books/1517 Media
  • Albert Whitman & Company

Lillian 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

10+ years of editing experience, specializing in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and romance. Let's take your book to the next level together!

Genres: Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Travel, Non-Fiction, Romance, Mystery & Crime, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Time Travel, and Post-Apocalyptic.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Internet Brands

Helena 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Nonfiction editor with indie in-house experience. Focused on social justice, art and design, and LGBTQ+ topics. Collaborative and curious.

Genres: LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Design, History, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

  • Schiffer Publishing

Aja 5 star rating

Austin, United States

Making sure your prose sings, your facts and story are straight, and your unique voice shines through.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Music, Entertainment, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Simon & Schuster
  • on my porch, at a coffee shop, in far-flung places . . .

Brooke 5 star rating

Denver, United States

Experienced (9+ yrs in-house, 18+ yrs freelance), nonfiction editor specializing in assessments, development editing, and copy editing.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Music, Philosophy, Entertainment, Parenting & Families, Biographies & Memoirs, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Chicago Review Press
  • Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
  • Westview Press in the Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
  • Self-employed

Abby 5 star rating

Portland, United States

Dedicated editor of children's books specializing in middle grade and YA fiction. Worked at HarperCollins, Disney-Hyperion, and Scholastic.

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

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins
  • Disney-Hyperion
  • Scholastic
  • Self-employed

Don 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

I do developmental editing in social science and the humanities. From first drafts through to publication, I like helping scholars succeed.

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

Work experience:

  • CEMSE, University of Chicago
  • University of Chicago Press
  • Self

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Hire the best developmental editors in Chicago, Illinois

The unsung sibling of the trio of edits, a developmental edit might actually be the most important type of editing that you need. Whereas a copy edit and a proofread only examines your book on a sentence level, a developmental edit focuses on the addressing "big picture" problems in your manuscript first — such as pacing, weak character development, and the strength of your themes. In short, they improve the parts of your book that could make the difference between an average book and a future bestseller.

If a developmental editor is what you're seeking, we've got you covered. Here at Reedsy, we've got the top developmental editors in the business. They've worked with such authors as George R.R. Martin, Stephen King, and Joyce Carol Oates to create their bestselling works — and now they're ready to work with you. Simply sign up to Reedsy to meet the best developmental editors in Chicago for you.

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