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

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

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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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Julia

Berkeley, CA, United States

NYT-bestselling author, book reviewer, and editor. I've helped dozens of clients get published in small and large presses. I love what I do!

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

Work experience:

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

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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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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

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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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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

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Erik

Minneapolis, MN, United States

Editor with years of in-house experience. Founder of a literary agency. Writer. Host of Print Run Podcast.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Career Guides, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Nature, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Sports & Outdoors, Life Sciences, and Math & Science.

Work experience:

Red Sofa Literary Agency
Self-employed
The Overlook Press
Oxford University Press
Headwater Literary Management

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Fran

New York, United States

Results driven editor, formerWriters House Bridgerton agent, edited major award winners, working from slush pile to success in publishing.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, Thriller & Suspense, Historical Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

Writers House
youbloom music festival

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Erin L.

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

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Jeremy

Lancaster, PA, USA

Editor of how-tos, eco gardening, & reference books. Proofreader of books by Penguin Random House.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Non-Fiction, Children's, Agriculture, Biographies & Memoirs, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Home & Garden, and Nature.

Work experience:

North Market Street Graphics
Fox Chapel Publishing
Carl Bloom Associates
Cider Mill Press

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Ronit

Detroit, MI, United States

Former Nan A. Talese/PRH acquisitions editor specializing in literary and book club fiction and memoir.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Women's Fiction, and Humor & Comedy.

Work experience:

Penguin Random House Inc.
Random House Inc.
Detroit Metro Times
The Daily Orange (Syracuse University)

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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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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

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Stephan

New York, NY, USA

Professional editor of both fiction and nonfiction with experience working with bestselling and award-winning authors.

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

Work experience:

Skyhorse Publishing
Historical Journal of Massachusetts

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MaxieJane

Riverside, WA, USA

MaxieJane is a writer, educator, and editor with an MFA from Bennington Writing Seminars and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Action & Adventure, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Southern New Hampshire University
Self-employed
United States Air Force Academy
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Academy

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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: