17+ Best cozy mysteries developmental editors for hire in the United States

Ann Leslie

New York City, NY, United States

Over 25 years' editorial experience at a Big 5 publisher and a literary agency, specializing in commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Romantic Comedy, Psychological Thriller, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Harlequin Books
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

Sandra

Port Hadlock, WA, United States

A Developmental Editor, I coach series book writers into best sellers and award winners, editing mysteries, science fiction, and thrillers.

Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Historical Mysteries, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Espionage, Thriller & Suspense, Military Science Fiction, and Medical Thriller.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Writers' International Forum
BAE Information Systems Technology
Manufactured Homes Magazine
Crooked Lane Books

Jim

Tigard, OR, United States

An editor with over twenty years of publishing experience at major houses, who has a sweet spot for genre fiction and comic books.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Comics Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Comics & Graphic Novels, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Kirkus Media, LLC
Hachette Book Group
Time Warner Book Group/Hachette Book Group
DC Comics

Erin

Framingham, MA, USA

20+ years of experience guiding picture book, middle grade, and YA authors. I'm a professor, author, and your creative cheerleader.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Young Adult, and Coming of Age.

Work experience:

Montserrat College of Art
The Highlights Foundation
The Wrtiers' Loft

Janet

Canton, GA, USA

With a lifetime career in the wordshaping business, including editing, writing, and publishing, I'm ready to help you reach those stars!

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Women's Fiction, Espionage, Young Adult, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
The Word Doctor
Independent Publisher

Bryn

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

Shannon

Seattle, WA, USA

Experienced, encouraging developmental + copy editor to help you get one step closer to publishing. I love romance, fantasy, and mystery!

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy, and Romantic Fantasy.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Various

Martin Roy

San Diego, CA, USA

Professional editor and national award-winning author with a wide range of experience in fiction and nonfiction publishing.

Genres: Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Cozy Mysteries, Military Science Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Naval Health Research Center
San Diego Business Journal
San Diego Magazine
The Log Newspapers
Palm Springs Desert Sun

Ashley

Jersey City, NJ, USA

A supportive and collaborative editorial professional with 10+ years’ experience across print and digital—and a total bookworm.

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Literary Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Prairie Schooner, University of Nebraska
History Press
Publishers Weekly
CreateSpace, an Amazon.com Company
Milkweed Editions
Yemassee Journal
Self-employed
Compose.ly
Turner Publishing
The Book Incubator

Shelly

Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Over 15 yrs editing for both new and bestselling fiction authors. I guide and teach, while empowering you to keep your voice. Let's chat!

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Holiday, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Anja

Long Beach, NY, USA

25 years' experience editing nonfiction—including food/drink, memoirs, history, wellness—and fiction. Efficient, timely, and professional.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, DIY & Crafts, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Tiller Press/Simon & Schuster
Time Inc. Books/Oxmoor House
Kyle Books/Quarto Books
DK Publishing Inc./Penguin Random House
Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins
Self-employed

Rebecca

New York, NY, USA

Editor specializing in science and business nonfiction and genre fiction. Experience in-house at HarperCollins and Kensington and agencies.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Women's Fiction, Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry, and Math & Science.

Work experience:

Kensington Books
Folio Literary Management
HarperCollins
Self-employed

Stacey

Arvada, CO, USA

Twenty years professionally editing cozy mysteries and more. Gentle and detailed with clients. Most get published! Award-winning writer.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Science Fiction, Coming of Age, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Marcia

Plymouth, NH, USA

As an experienced story-focused editor and published author, I help bring out your voice and make your writing the best it can be.

Genres: Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Business & Management, Children’s Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Plymouth State University

Faith

Lebanon, NJ, United States

Insightful, collaborative editing from an award-winning NYC editor with 20 years experience, formerly of Penguin Random House.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Historical Mysteries.

Work experience:

Berkley Publishing Group - Penguin Group USA
Avalon Books
Cambridge University Press
Severn House
Crooked Lane Books
Self-employed

Kirsiah

New York, NY, USA

Attentive editor with experience from several NYC publishers focusing on thriller, women's fiction, romance, YA, and middle grade fiction.

Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Hachette Book Group
Penguin Random House

Kevin

Olympia, Washington, USA

Pacific Northwest editor. Fan of literary fiction, CNF deep dives, and crime thrillers. Eager to work in service of your manuscript!

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Thriller & Suspense, Short Story, and Sports & Outdoors.

Work experience: