The best mystery book developmental editing services

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Kathy 5 star rating

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

Parisa 5 star rating

Brooklyn, NY, United States

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

Sandra 5 star rating

Port Hadlock, WA, United States

Developmental editor helping professionals transform real-world expertise into compelling, best-selling, market-ready books and series.

Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Historical Mysteries, Espionage, Thriller & Suspense, Military Science Fiction, Medical Thriller, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Writers' International Forum
  • BAE Information Systems Technology
  • Manufactured Homes Magazine
  • Crooked Lane Books

Patrick 5 star rating

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

Teja 5 star rating

Seattle, WA, USA

A lifetime of reading, editing, and writing books—this work is my dream. It would be an honor to help you get your book ready for the world.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Buddhism, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • Two Birds Editing
  • Avalon Travel
  • Alyson Books
  • George magazine
  • Jane magazine
  • Spin magazine

Experienced children's book editor. Specialities include: picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and middle-grade novels.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, DIY & Crafts, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Self Employed

Joanna 5 star rating

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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Vanessa 5 star rating

Seattle, WA, USA

15+ years as an enthusiastic editor, helping authors polish prose, sharpen storytelling, and prepare manuscripts for successful publication.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Historical Mysteries, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Military Science Fiction, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Indie Owl Press
  • SAGA Egmont
  • The Louisville Review
  • Dzanc Books
  • Self-employed

Erin 5 star rating

Birmingham, AL, USA

Former literary agent with 15+ years of experience, specializing in developmental & copy edits for MG, YA, horror, mystery, & magic realism

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

Work experience:

  • Howland Literary
  • The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency
  • Dotdash Meredith
  • Self-employed

Danielle 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Dedicated editor of various genres and age groups, including picture books, middle grade, YA, adult mysteries/thrillers, and biographies.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Picture Books, Children's, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fantasy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Palaver Arts Magazine
  • Yale University Press
  • Sourcebooks Publishing
  • Trojans 360
  • Simon & Schuster

Jamie 5 star rating

Fort Collins, CO, USA

Developmental and copyeditor of historical and women's fiction. HarperCollins author. Plot wrangler. Happy to provide a sample edit!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Time Travel Romance, Historical Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Self
  • Front Range Community College

Robin 5 star rating

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
  • Marshall Cavendish

Shire 5 star rating

Berkeley, CA, USA

A fiction/non-fiction editor with wide-ranging interests, I specialize in refining the elements of good writing: voice, style, and grammar.

Genres: Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Inkshares
  • Lost Roads Press
  • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  • New Directions

Kimberly 5 star rating

Montvale, NJ, USA

Full time editorial freelancer (and former managing editor) working as a proofreader, copyeditor, development editor, and project manager.

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Sterling Publishing
  • John Wiley and Sons
  • BenBella Books

Ian 5 star rating

Wilmington, NC, USA

I’m drawn to cinematic action/adventure thrillers. If your pitch sounds like an Indiana Jones movie, then I’d love to hear from you!

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Historical Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Chris Kuzneski (best-selling author)
  • Craig Mazin (Emmy-winning writer/producer)

Jamie 5 star rating

Pocatello, Idaho, USA

Enthusiastic editor of Children's and Adult Fiction/Nonfiction. MFA Grad. Trad. published author. Freelancer for Penguin Random House.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Young Adult, Inspirational, Non-Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Biographies & Memoirs.

Work experience:

  • Playful Learning Press
  • Self-employed
  • Idaho State University, Continuing Ed
  • Kelly Yang
  • Vermont College of Fine Arts
  • Gibbs Smith Publishing
  • Penguin Random House
  • Hares & Hatter Bookshop

Kristen 5 star rating

San Francisco, CA, USA

PhD-trained editor helping experienced fiction writers elevate their craft with kind, insightful feedback and strategic guidance

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, and Coming of Age.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Chronicle Books
  • Columbia University

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