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

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

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

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

Megan

New York, NY, United States

A 20 year veteran of the publishing industry, Megan spent a decade at Simon & Schuster and has acquired and edited many bestsellers.

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

Work experience:

Simon & Schuster
Freelance

Paul

Los Angeles, United States

I excel at copy-editing, proofreading, developmental editing, ghostwriting, all kinds of collaborating — fiction, nonfiction, humor, & more.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Anthologies, Music, Entertainment, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Gene

Houston, United States

Creative, experienced editor of novels, children's books, and poetry. Let's prepare your manuscript for publication together.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Poetry, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Uptown Stories
Simon & Schuster
Scholastic
HarperEntertainment
Daniel Weiss Associates/17th Street Productions
Denver Quarterly
San Jacinto College South

Lindsey

New York, United States

Experienced editor from a Big Five publisher specializing in mystery, suspense, and thrillers.

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

Work experience:

Grand Central Publishing
Crooked Lane Books

Rachel

New York, United States

Literary agent turned editor of fiction & select memoir where narratives and protagonists have distinct, identifiable voices.

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

Work experience:

Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
Self-employed

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

Julia

Berkeley, CA, United States

NYT-bestselling author and editor. I've helped dozens of clients write their books and get published. I'd love to work with you!

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

Work experience:

Self-employed
The Los Angeles Times
El Financiero de Mexico
Wired News
The New York Times
Stanford University

Kerry

New York, NY, USA

I'm interested in thoughtful, voice-driven manuscripts. I especially love stories that include queer characters and/or speculative elements.

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Fiction, and Coming of Age.

Work experience:

Henry Holt & Company
Curtis Brown, Ltd.
One Story Magazine
JMH Scouting

Kathy

San Diego, United States

Freelance copyeditor and proofreader offering 25 years of experience in scientific and educational publishing

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry, Math & Science, Nature, Action & Adventure, Classics, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, Education & Reference, Science Fiction, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Academic Press (Elsevier Science/Harcourt)
Academic Press
Brian F. Smith and Associates (Archaeologist)
Converse Consultants West
Cajon Valley, Mountain Empire, and Palm Middle Schools
Self-employed

Jeff

Portland, OR, USA

Dynamic, best-selling writer in multiple genres providing developmental editing, copy editing, manuscript evaluations, and book coaching.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Music, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

Fonograf Editions
various universities
Independent Publishing Resource Center
Dikembe Press
Prairie Schooner

Shannon

Asheville, NC, USA

Developmental editor with sixteen years of experience in fantasy, science fiction, and literary fiction.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

Self-employed
several companies

Catherine J.

Florence, OR, USA

Professional book editor and award-winning literary journalist with 35 years of crafting words that glow in the dark

Genres: Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, New Age, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, Literary Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Kirkus Publishing Editorial Services / Amazon CreateSpace
Luminare Press
Best Life Media Company
Larson Newspapers, Sedona, Arizona
The Sedona Observer

Jennifer

Harrisburg, PA, USA

First and foremost, I am a bibliophile. My professional and personal goals are the same: To live my life surrounded by good books.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience: