The best romance book developmental editing services

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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

Fran 5 star rating

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

Kelly 5 star rating

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

Rachel 5 star rating

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

Lara 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

A consummate professional with over 20 years experience in the publishing industry, specializing in genre fiction and pop culture.

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Entertainment, Non-Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Time Travel Romance, and Historical Romance.

Work experience:

  • The Lotts Agency
  • Trident Media Group
  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Various

John G. 5 star rating

Charlotte, NC, USA

John has written over 40 novels of his own and edited well over 100 novels ranging from debut authors to NY Times bestsellers.

Genres: Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Paranormal Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Joy 5 star rating

Houston, TX, USA

Seasoned developmental editor in multiple genres who's also authored YA, picture books, and horror stories. Ready to make your book shine!!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Young Adult, Romantic Suspense, Romance, and Contemporary Romance.

Work experience:

  • Harper Collins, Sourcebooks, Soho Press, Chronicle Books, Lerner/Kar Ben
  • Lone Star College
  • Writespace Houston
  • JBP Editing
  • Conroe ISD

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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

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, Biographies & Memoirs, and Health & Wellbeing.

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

Literary Agent and Freelance Editor with over a decade of experience in traditional publishing, specializing in manuscript development.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Maria Carvainis Agency
  • Summit Editorial
  • Self-employed

Sandra 5 star rating

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Editor with 25+ years specializing in YA/MG, literary and genre fiction, and select nonfiction for big 5, indie, and self publishers.

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Romance, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Waveland Press

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

MJ 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Fiction editor at top trade publisher with over 9 years of experience editing debuts and bestsellers across genres - collaborative and kind!

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Sourcebooks

Marcia 5 star rating

Plymouth, NH, USA

As an experienced story-focused editor and published author, I help bring out your voice and make your writing the best it can be.

Genres: Education & Reference, Non-Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Parenting & Families, and Art.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Plymouth State University

Shannon 5 star rating

Seattle, WA, USA

Experienced, encouraging developmental + copy editor to help you get one step closer to publishing. I love romance, fantasy, and mystery!

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy, and Romantic Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Various

Rose 5 star rating

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Book doctor, editor, researcher. I love romance and historical fiction! (Areas of expertise: Regency, queer, Revolutionary War, Jewish.)

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, and LGBTQ Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Nina 5 star rating

Madison, WI, USA

New York Times bestselling author & professional editor. 25+ yrs of fiction expertise with major publishers. Passionate about storytelling.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Fiction, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, and Romantic Suspense.

Work experience:

  • American Girl
  • Chronicle Books
  • Harlequin Books and Samhain Publishing
  • Snow Queen Publishing & Editing

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Hire the best romance developmental editors

So you’ve outlined your characters, written a couple of drafts, and finally have a manuscript, complete with a happy ending? To make sure that everything is jiving in your newest romance title, hire a romance developmental editor who can help you sort out your narrative structure, fill any plot holes, and make sure there’s chemistry between your characters.

The editors at Reedsy have years of experience working with indie authors and in traditional publishing alike. With a finger on the pulse, they keep up with current trends and demands of the market. Sign up for a free account today to browse and shortlist editors — some of whom have worked with popular romance authors like Jill Mansell and Cecilia Ahern, to name just a couple.

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Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

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Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.