17+ Best fiction developmental editors for hire in the United States

Mary-Theresa

New York, United States

Award winning editor with 25+ years in traditional publishing. Specializing in genre fiction. Looking to help make good stories well told.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

Harlequin

Eliza

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

Joanna

Oak Park, IL, United States

Seasoned publishing industry professional with agency experience and a keen eye for detail who embraces all aspects of the editorial process

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Thriller & Suspense, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Browne & Miller Literary Associates
The Parlor
Literary Agency

Parisa

Brooklyn, NY, United States

Former Simon and Schuster editor with 15+ years of experience, specializing in all genres of fiction. I’d love to help get your MS in shape!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Self Employed
Simon & Schuster

Rebecca

New York, NY, United States

With 10+ years of experience working at NYC publishers, I've edited 100s of books across genres. Thorough, candid, and easy to work with!

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

Work experience:

Disney Publishing Worldwide
McGraw-Hill Education
Penguin Random House
Self-employed
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Education

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

Kathryn

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

Elizabeth

Morristown, United States

Former Senior Editor at Ballantine Books; specializes in content editing of non-fiction (self-help, memoir, parenting) and fiction.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Parenting & Families, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Ballantine Publishing Group/Division of Random House, Inc.

Cindy

Slippery Rock, PA, United States

I help make dreams come true – developing your first draft or polishing your final work with personal care. Lower-cost options available.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Education & Reference, Cultural & Ethnic, Anthologies, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Writing Assessment Services
Grove City College
Veritas Academy Online
Florida State University, Auburn University, Tallahassee Community College, Los Positas College

Dawn

Hoboken, NJ, United States

Experienced, dedicated editor specializing in memoir and literary fiction, with a shelf full of clients' published books.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Judaism, Religion & Spirituality, Buddhism, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Entertainment, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

Reader's Digest
O, The Oprah Magazine
More Magazine
The Literarian
Self-employed

Rachel

New York, NY, United States

Editor experienced in creative development, visual storytelling, and licensed publishing. I solve problems.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Action & Adventure, Anthologies, Comics Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Entertainment, Middle Grade, Children's, Mystery & Crime, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

DC Entertainment
Self-employed
Little Bee Books

Adam

Asheville, United States

Scholarly and nonfiction editor with over a decade of experience in digital and print publishing. Reader advocate and prose polisher.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Sports & Outdoors, Biographies & Memoirs, Business & Management, Entertainment, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Soomo Learning
Oxford University Press
HarperCollins Publishers

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

Ross

Baltimore, MD, United States

Editor w/20+ yrs exp committed to nurturing authors' voices, refining narrative vision and elevating storytelling with empathy and precision

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Coming of Age, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Horror, and Legal Thriller.

Work experience:

University of Maryland, College Park
Towson Univeristy
Gotham Writing Workshop, New York City
Self-employed
University of Maryland College Park

Julia

Charleston, SC, United States

Line and copy editor, with content capabilities. I have the most experience in nonfiction, but my favorite edits are middle grade and YA.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

The History Press
Newgen KnowledgeWorks
Amnet

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

Estelle

New York, United States

Agent/Senior Content Development Editor at one of New York's top agencies, specializing in YA, MG, picture books, and women's literature.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Middle Grade Fantasy, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience: