The best history book developmental editing services

Sign up for free to meet top developmental editors on Reedsy

Meticulous copy and developmental editor of nonfiction, equipped with diverse industry experience and a masters in Publishing.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Sociology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Christopher 5 star rating

Gallatin, United States

Accomplished editor specializing in general and Christian non-fiction. Editor of 60 published books. Here to help you tell your story!

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Philosophy, Education & Reference, Inspirational, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

  • B&H Academic
  • Moody Publishers
  • Lexham Press and Kirkdale Press
  • Self-employed

Barbara 5 star rating

Washington, DC, United States

After working as a nonfiction book editor for years at NatGeo, I know the ins and outs of publishing from ideation to final proofing.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Architecture, History, Nature, Writing & Publishing, Travel, and Sports & Outdoors.

Work experience:

  • National Geographic Society
  • Self-employed

Lisa 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

Developmental editor of narrative nonfiction (and book proposals) with 35+ years' experience at major trade publishers in NYC.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Psychology, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

  • PublicAffairs
  • Self-employed
  • Carol Publishing Group
  • Viking Penguin
  • Random House
  • University of Texas
  • The Writers Studio

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

Adam 5 star rating

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:

  • Self-employed
  • Soomo Learning
  • Oxford University Press
  • HarperCollins Publishers

Julie 5 star rating

Greenwich, CT, USA

I have edited hundreds of books over a decade at Skyhorse Publishing. I take a thorough approach and pride myself on attention to detail.

Genres: Sports & Outdoors, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Business & Management, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, True Crime, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, and History.

Work experience:

  • Skyhorse Publishing
  • Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

📞 Chat with our team

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

Jennifer 5 star rating

Lexington, KY, USA

A former academic acquisitions editor and current English teacher, I bring editing experience to your nonfiction and fiction writing.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, and Nature.

Work experience:

  • University Press of Kentucky
  • Fayette County Public Schools

Gail Naron 5 star rating

New Orleans, United States

Editing of academic works, reports, and dissertations, with a focus on the social sciences, Jewish studies, humanities, and law

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Law, Political Science & Current Affairs, Religion & Spirituality, Psychology, and Economics.

Work experience:

  • Aptara, Westchester Publishing Services
  • Jewish Communal Service Association

Ariel 5 star rating

Chattanooga, TN, USA

Development and acquisitions editor with 10 years' experience in nonfiction publishing working with bestselling authors.

Genres: Education & Reference, Non-Fiction, Parenting & Families, Health & Wellbeing, Business & Management, Biographies & Memoirs, Inspirational, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Corwin
  • Self-employed

Jed 5 star rating

Wilmington, DE, USA

Editor of 𝟯𝟬+ 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀. Praise: ”The world’s best editor”; ”The best editor I’ve ever had.”

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Sports & Outdoors, Biographies & Memoirs, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Intercollegiate Studies Institute
  • Crown Publishing Group (Penguin Random House)
  • Regnery Publishing

Charles 5 star rating

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Six decades of writing and editing non-fiction — biography, memoir, theology, religion, history, philosophy, and psychology

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Psychology, and Philosophy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Presbyterian Church (USA)

Brian 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I’m a book editor and ghostwriter, formerly an editor at W.W. Norton and Wiley. I focus nonfiction books, particularly memoirs and business.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, Classics, Fiction, Nature, Entertainment, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, and Business & Management.

Work experience:

  • John Wiley & Sons
  • W. W. Norton
  • Self-employed

Editor with 24+ years of experience in biography, memoir, history, and fiction for adults and children at various publishing companies.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, True Crime, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Children’s Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Heinemann-Raintree
  • Quarasan
  • McGraw-Hill
  • Publications International, Ltd.
  • Capstone Publishers
  • 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

Hunter 5 star rating

Santa Fe, NM, USA

Graduate-trained editor: religion, philosophy, history, politics—rigorous copyediting that sharpens your argument and preserves your voice.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Political Science & Current Affairs.

Work experience:

  • First Things
  • Sophia Institute Press
  • Liturgical Press
  • St. Augustine's Press
  • American Philosophical Association
  • Classical Academic Press

Dinah 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Former Hachette editor with 20+ years experience developing and editing bestselling nonfiction for children and adults

Genres: Entertainment, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Nature, Sports & Outdoors, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • Black Dog & Leventhal/Hachette Book Group
  • Downtown Bookworks
  • Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Inc.

Browse 2,000+ additional profiles

Create your free Reedsy account and begin requesting free quotes.

Hire the best history developmental editors

It takes time and patience to put together the research and understanding that writing a history book requires. That’s why it’s important to invest in an editor, or a team of editors, before you send it to the press — so your hard work isn’t overshadowed by avoidable issues.

We recommend hiring a developmental editor who specializes in history books. Just like a historian analyzing old journals to piece together events of the past, a developmental editor will step back and view your book as a whole. They’ll identify problems in your structure and argument and suggest changes to polish your work.

Before you hire a history developmental editor you’ll want to trust their expertise. That’s why we’ve curated a community of the top editors in the industry. They have years working with the Big 5 under their belts, and strong portfolios developed through a passion for their work. You could work with them next — join us to connect for free.

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.

Reedsy | Developmental editing — find the gem | 2024-09

Find the gem in your early draft

The best developmental editors in the industry are on Reedsy. Come meet them.