17+ Best Fiction Developmental Editors for Hire in the United States

Holly

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

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Aja

Austin, United States

Making sure your prose sings, your facts and story are straight, and your unique voice shines through.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Music, Entertainment, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Simon & Schuster
on my porch, at a coffee shop, in far-flung places . . .

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Kelly

Phoenix, United States

I have 20 years of editing experience in all genres, with special attention to business and travel.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Travel, Poetry, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Immanence Journal
Gently Read Literature (GRL)
International Artist Publishing
Perseus Books Group
Self-employed

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Lindsay

New Jersey, United States

I'm an enthusiastic freelance editor with experience across the industry--bookselling, marketing, publicity, agency, editorial, and writing.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Picture Books, Children's, Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction, Short Story, Middle Grade, Dystopian, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency
Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Margaret K. McElderry Books at Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing Division
Abrams Books for Young Readers/Amulet Books
Candlewick Press
Borders Books and Music
Verily Magazine

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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

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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, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

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

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Karli

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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Susan

Tampa, FL, United States

Professional fiction and non-fiction editor with 30+ years' experience helping writers to hone their craft and tell their stories.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Women's Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Sex & Relationships, Mystery & Crime, Paranormal Romance, Romance, and Architecture.

Work experience:

EC for Books (formerly Ellora's Cave Publishing)
Weekly Planet/Creative Loafing Newspapers
Tampa Tribune Newspaper
Psychological Assessment Resources
Arts Council of Hillsborough County
Self-employed

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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

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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:

Folio Literary Management
Self-employed

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Parisa

Brooklyn, NY, United States

Former Simon and Schuster editor with 15+ years of experience, specializing in all fiction genres. 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

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Andrew

San Diego, CA, United States

Former New York trade editor of thrillers, mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, horror, and narrative and military nonfiction/history.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Entertainment.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Company Name Redacted. Please contact through Reedsy for editorial service.
Berkley Publishing Group, Donald I Fine, Inc, Dell, Avon and Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Scovil Chichak Galen Literary Agency, Inc.
The Berkley Publishing Group

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Laurie

New York, NY, United States

Editor of National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalists and bestselling authors at Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Children's, Romance, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
St. Martin’s Press a division of Macmillan, USA
Hyperion, a division of ABC/Disney
HarperCollins, a division of Newscorp
Dutton, a division of Penguin Group USA, Pearson
Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS
Hyperion, a division of the Walt Disney Comapny
Rizzoli Books

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Tracy

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

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Meredith

Bothell, WA, United States

Writer, collaborative editor, and writing coach specializing in helping clients tell their best stories.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Nature, Women's Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Short Story, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

UW Medicine
Talaria, Inc.
Ashford University
Enclara Health
North Seattle Community College
Antioch University Seattle
Self-employed

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Jodi

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I have an MFA and a lot of energy. I work in memoir, fiction, & humor. You'll have fun & learn craft as we go. No AI "writing," please.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Humor & Comedy, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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Adam

Asheville, United States

Nonfiction book editor with 17+ years 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: