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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Patrick

New York, NY, United States

Hands-on, thoughtful editor specializing in memoir, self-help, thriller, mystery, suspense, and YA fiction. Formerly of Simon and Schuster.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Entertainment, Sex & Relationships, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Thriller & Suspense, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Self-Employed
Simon & Schuster / Simon Pulse
Simon & Schuster / Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) and Gallery Books
International Creative Management (ICM)
Matt DeCoursey Enterprises / Realist Books

Megan

New York, NY, United States

Former Kensington editor with 17 years' experience, specializing in romance, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, & YA. Let's make your project shine!

Genres: Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Fantasy, Romantic Comedy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, and Historical Romance.

Work experience:

Kensington Publishing
Harlequin
Kaplan
Self-employed

Maria

Kansas City, MO, United States

Insightful, inspiring Developmental Editor of 25+ years specializing in Historical fiction, Self-Help, Spec fiction. Tailored-to-you edits.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Post-Apocalyptic, Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Psychology.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Beth

Maineville, United States

Seasoned editor and proofreader with more than 20 years of experience in multiple genres. I have worked with several best-selling authors!

Genres: Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Science Fiction, and Dystopian.

Work experience:

Self-Employed

Sara

Atlanta, GA, USA

Experienced copy editor and proofreader of contemporary fiction and nonfiction, with 50+ titles on Amazon's "New Hardcovers" list

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

Work experience:

Apollo Publishers
Counterpoint Press / Seal Press / Softskull / Avalon
Random House
Hearst Corporation
Condé Nast
Sourcebooks Landmark

Emily

Washington D.C., DC, USA

Experienced editor of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historical romance, women's fiction. 18 years at HarperCollins / Harlequin.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery & Crime, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Christian Fiction.

Work experience:

Harlequin Books

Lynsey

Missoula, United States

(She/they.) Over a decade of in-house and freelance editorial work for Big 5 publishers & private clients across genres.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Penguin Random House
Fordham University Press
City College of New York
Skadden-Arps Legal Studies Program at City College of New York
WHACK! Magazine
Penguin Group (USA)
Self-employed

Andrea

Raleigh, NC, USA

25 years editing/agenting debut and bestselling commercial fiction. Penguin/RH, St. Martins, Amazon. Expert eye for story and market.

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Jesse

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Editor with a decade's experience working with best-selling and award-winning authors at Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Europa Editions.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, African American Fiction, Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Art, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Fiction, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Self-employed
NationBuilder
NY Book Editors
Europa Editions

Barbara

Marble Falls, TX, USA

Bestselling author and long-time developmental editor. I love helping authors hone their voice and tell their story!

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Women's Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Legal Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, and Psychological Thriller.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Panther Creek Press

Robyn

Abilene, Texas, USA

Specializing in YA, fantasy, comedy, mystery, and faith-based manuscripts through review, development, content editing, and author coaching.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Humor & Comedy, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Business & Management, Christian Non-Fiction, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience: