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

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 . . .

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

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

Parisa

Brooklyn, NY, United States

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

Andrew

San Diego, CA, United States

Experienced NYC editor. Expert in 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

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

Angela

Los Angeles, United States

Editor of more than 800 books. I specialize in sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, horror, mystery, thriller, YA, and dystopian fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Alyson Books
Self-employed

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

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

Kelly

Phoenix, United States

I am passionate about the written word! 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

Jennifer

Chicago, IL, USA

Editor with 21+ 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

Caroline

Quogue, NY, USA

I have over 25 years of experience editing Romance, Women's Fiction and Suspense. I offer Developmental edits, line edits and Evaluations.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Women's Fiction, Romance, Historical Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, USA
Avon Books
Self-employed
Soul Mate Publishing

Christina

Charleston, SC, USA

15+ years' experience copyediting/proofreading fiction and editing nonfiction. Love thrillers and health and wellness. 300+ published books.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Thriller & Suspense, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

Self-employed
SmartBox Dental Marketing
Turner Publishing Company
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Pediatric Neurosciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin

Terri

Minneapolis, MN, USA

I am a developmental editor with over 15 years experience specializing in crime fiction. I also have interest/experience in LGBTQIA+ and YA.

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

Midnight Ink

Thea

Austin, TX, USA

Big 5 publishing house editor specializing in fiction, mystery/thriller, cookbooks, self help, design and lifestyle.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Psychological Thriller, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Hachette Book Group
SKLA
Penguin Random House

Robin

New York, NY, USA

A New York-based developmental editor, proofreader, and writing coach with over twenty years of experience in fiction for all ages!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime, Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

HarperCollins

Rachel

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

After editing hundreds of books for publishers such as W. W. Norton and Crooked Lane, I can't wait to help you with your masterpiece!

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience: