The best dark fantasy book developmental editing services

Sign up for free to meet top developmental editors on Reedsy

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

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

Jasmine 5 star rating

Beaverton, OR, USA

As a fantasy author with a Master of Arts in Book Publishing, Jasmine knows the editorial process from every angle.

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Literary Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Non-Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Ooligan Press
  • Altonimbus Entertainment (dba Kumoricon)

Elayne 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fantasy author, former Tor Books editor, and speculative fiction specialist with 10+ years' experience editing SFF across age categories.

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

Work experience:

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

Claire 5 star rating

Kansas City, MO, USA

17+ years building USA Today/NYT/Bestselling/Award-Winning careers in sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. I'm thorough and kind, with short waits.

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance, and Romantic Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Wordfire Press
  • The Wild Rose Press
  • Entangled Publishing

Darryl 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Experienced editor with an excellent editorial eye for plot, pacing, dialogue, and character development.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, African American Fiction, Romance, Mystery & Crime, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Biographies & Memoirs, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Penguin Random House
  • Kimball Publishing
  • La Salle High School
  • Orange Media Network
  • MasterClass
  • The Muse
  • Getty Publications (J. Paul Getty Museum)

Developmental, copy editor, and publishing coach, who works with hundreds of motivated authors to produce professional and polished books.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Children's, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

📞 Chat with our team

Need a hand finding the perfect professional? Our team is here to help. Get in touch for recommendations.

Karen 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Former agent/editor with extensive experience in the publishing industry. Reader of genre fiction. Dedicated to improving your manuscript.

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, and New Adult.

Work experience:

  • JABberwocky Literary Agency Inc.
  • Delacorte/Macmillan/Picador/Workman

Peter 5 star rating

Valley Center, CA, USA

Seasoned editor / award-winning author / college teacher / pastor. I specialize in making writing flow like water–from sentence to book.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Inspirational, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • EA Books Publishing

Marco 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Dev editor with 30 years of professional experience. Honest, direct, easygoing, upbeat, encouraging.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Espionage, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ Fiction, Action & Adventure, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, and Epic Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Realm
  • Tor Publishing Group (Macmillan)
  • Simon & Schuster

Sam 5 star rating

New York City, NY, USA

Former literary agent specializing in genre fiction - especially fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Here to help you find your voice!

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction, and Time Travel.

Work experience:

  • Various Literary Agencies

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

Experienced developmental editor with expertise in science fiction and fantasy, working with publishers and independent authors.

Genres: Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Gaming & LitRPG, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Opera, and Steampunk.

Work experience:

  • Waxman Leavell Literary Agency
  • Self-employed
  • Wizards of the Coast
  • Random House Publishing Group

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

Leslie 5 star rating

Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Passionate editor specializing in epic fantasy, self-help, and spirituality. Also a travel writer, NYT bestselling author, and CIEP member.

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Travel, Non-Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Leslie P.

Leah 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Experienced developmental editor and proofreader, specializing in science fiction and fantasy publishing

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Space Opera, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • DAW Books
  • Vanderbilt University Writing Studio
  • Mad Cave Studios

Mary 5 star rating

Old Tappan, NJ, USA

Developmental editor in spaces where fantasy and romance overlap: romantasy, fairytale retellings, historical fantasy

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Dark Romance, Romantic Comedy, and Epic Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Browse 2,000+ additional profiles

Create your free Reedsy account and begin requesting free quotes.

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse professional profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.

Work with the best editors in the industry

Sign up to request quotes from editors who shape bestsellers.