The best developmental editors for hire near Chicago

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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

Editor with 24+ 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

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

Connor 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Hello! I'm Connor, an editor with 10+ years of editing experience, including award-winning nonfiction titles. Let’s make your book excel!

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

Work experience:

  • Moody Publishers

Lillian 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Experienced full-service editor specializing in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance. Let's take your book to the next level!

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Internet Brands

Alex 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Children's book editor with experience in editing and content creation, passionate about championing people's stories—and writing her own.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Holiday, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Sex & Relationships.

Work experience:

  • Independent Publisher
  • Albert Whitman & Company

Grace 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Thriller || Mystery || Fantasy || Nonfic -- 10+ years at Big Five and indies with New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestsellers

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group)
  • Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen
  • JMH Scouting

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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

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

Julia 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Award-winning traditionally published novelist (4 books) with extensive editorial experience in historical, literary and speculative fiction

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Themes & Motifs, Women's Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • StoryStudio Chicago
  • Catapult

Multigenre editor with a knack for offbeat characters and juicy plots. I love indie publishing and contemporary fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Loyola University Chicago

Eliza 5 star rating

Maplewood, NJ, United States

I'm a detail-oriented editor, specializing in children's nonfiction, with 10 years of experience at publishing houses and literary agencies

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

Work experience:

  • Diversion Books
  • Self-employed
  • Leigh Feldman Literary
  • The Bent Agency
  • Callisto Media
  • Rebel Girls

Madison 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Honest, constructive, and compassionate feedback from a full-time editor and published author. I edit kid lit, from picture books to YA.

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

Work experience:

  • Albert Whitman & Company
  • Albert Whitman & Compaby
  • C&T Publishing

Chersti 5 star rating

Provo, United States

20 yrs editing with NYT/international/indie bestsellers such as Brandon Sanderson and Demi Winters. Adult Fantasy/SF/Suspense + all YA.

Genres: Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Gaming & LitRPG, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Space Opera, and Post-Apocalyptic.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Cedar Fort
  • Leading Edge

Christopher 5 star rating

Gallatin, United States

Accomplished editor specializing in general and Christian non-fiction. Editor of 60 published books. Here to help you tell your story!

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Philosophy, Education & Reference, Inspirational, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

  • B&H Academic
  • Moody Publishers
  • Lexham Press and Kirkdale Press
  • Self-employed

Glenn 5 star rating

Colorado Springs, CO, United States

Experienced editor for university presses (MIT, Harvard, etc.) and scholars (Princeton, U of Toronto, etc.); published award-winning books.

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • The Frederick News-Post
  • Capital News Service (Washington, D.C.)
  • American Journalism Review

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

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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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