The best developmental editors for hire near Oakland

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I edit fiction and nonfiction. Anne Perry, Caroline Leavitt, Robb Forman Dew are among my clients. I do not edit sci-fi or fantasy novels.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Historical Mysteries, and Anthologies.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Lisa 5 star rating

Oakland, CA, USA

Editor/indexer (20y+) of award-winning nonfiction for major, indie, academic, and nonprofit publishers (e.g., Getty, NPS, Chronicle, PRH).

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, History, Nature, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Music.

Work experience:

  • Heyday
  • Self-employed

Andy 5 star rating

Oakland, CA, USA

I am a literary agent and freelance developmental book editor. I also edit and consult on query letters and non-fiction book proposals.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Political Science & Current Affairs, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Young Adult, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Lauren 5 star rating

Oakland, California, USA

Developmental Editor/Copy Editor of Nobel Prize winners and NYT/Amazon bestsellers | 8+ years' experience in trade publishing

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Humanities & Social Sciences.

Work experience:

  • Seven Stories Press
  • Self-employed

Ray 5 star rating

Northampton, United States

Developmental editing and copy editing for the nonfiction world: health, nutrition, fitness, tech, and entrepreneurship.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Health & Wellbeing, Sports & Outdoors, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Business & Management, Computers & Internet, and Technology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Winning Edits
  • Rocket Code
  • Amazon Services (Amazon.com)
  • Smart Passive Income
  • Buy Box Experts
  • The Storied Future

Olivia 5 star rating

Oakland, CA, USA

Collaborative developmental editor with 10+ years of experience, specializing in comics/graphic novels, children's books, and memoirs.

Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Biographies & Memoirs, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Middle Grade.

Work experience:

  • West Margin Press
  • Image Comics
  • Zest Books
  • Self-employed

Stephanie 5 star rating

Bedford, United States

Don't ever fall for the trap of thinking you can be rigorous and academic OR engaging and clear--you can absolutely be both. I'll help you.

Genres: Nature, Non-Fiction, Life Sciences, Math & Science, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Keep Learning
  • National Center for Science Education
  • BiteScis

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Kate 5 star rating

Cleveland, OH, United States

Versatile, collaborative nonfiction editor with a master's degree in creative writing and seven years' experience editing education books.

Genres: Education & Reference, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Parenting & Families.

Work experience:

  • Solution Tree
  • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
  • Solution Tree Press

Erin L. 5 star rating

Seattle, Washington, United States

24+ awards in writing and editing • 30+ books edited • Specialties include nonfiction and poetry • Ph.D. student, lit and creative writing

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Poetry, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Nature, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Cavendish Square, Wiley, & other publishers
  • Open Books: A Poem Emporium
  • Killer Visual Strategies
  • Various magazines
  • The Kentucky Standard
  • Sarabande Books
  • Entre Ríos Books

Anne 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I'm a former LGBTQ+ Editor in Chief with a film background and years of success nurturing star writers and beginners. Let's tell your story!

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Historical Fiction, Inspirational, and Entertainment.

Work experience:

  • The Advocate
  • Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor
  • Well Again
  • self
  • Self-employed

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

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

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

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

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, Mystery & Crime, Gaming & LitRPG, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Space Opera.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Cedar Fort
  • Leading Edge

Lila 5 star rating

New York, United States

I specialize in editing nonfiction and academic books, and I'll work with you based on your specific writing style, voice, needs, and goals.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Law, Political Science & Current Affairs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sociology, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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

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Hire the best developmental editors in Oakland, California

Developmental editors dive into the complex issues of your book, from plot holes to character development. They help you identify flaws by asking you tough questions about plot plausibility, pacing, and structure using their years of experience editing other books in the same genre. With a developmental editor's help, you can bring out the best elements of your work and really make them shine, while learning to let go of unnecessary scenes or wordy passages.

The developmental editors on our marketplace have all been carefully vetted, so you can rely on their expertise. Sign up today to browse developmental editors in Oakland and find the right editor for you.

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