17+ Best romance 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

Elizabeth

Morristown, United States

Former Senior Editor at Ballantine Books; specializes in content editing of non-fiction (self-help, memoir, parenting) and fiction.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Parenting & Families, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Ballantine Publishing Group/Division of Random House, Inc.

Sean

Denton, TX, United States

Editor of bestselling, award-winning middle grade, YA, and adult books, specializing in fantasy and sci-fi. Let's make your book stand out!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Romantic Fantasy, and Romance.

Work experience:

Andrea Hurst and Associates, LLC
Andrea Hurst and Associates
Self-employed
Relay Publishing, LLC
The Editorial Department

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

Tera

South Bend, United States

Editor with 10+ years of experience specializing in developmental edits and copy editing, with a focus on romance and all romance subgenres.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, LGBTQ Fiction, Women's Fiction, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Entangled Publishing
Samhain Publishing
Kensington Lyrical
Self-employed

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

Madeline

Austin, TX, USA

I have been editing books for kids and teens for over 15 years. I'd love to look at yours next. Tell me all about your book!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy, Picture Books, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

CBAY Books
St. Edward's University
Blooming Tree Press
Self-employed

Hillary

New Haven, CT, USA

Freelance editor specializing in fantasy, sci-fi, YA/NA, and romance. 5+ years editorial experience at a Big 5 publisher in NYC.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult, Paranormal Romance, Romance, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Orbit Books at Hachette Book Group
BookPeople
Self-employed

Erin

Hoboken, NJ, USA

Is something missing in your manuscript? I can help you make your characters sizzle, your plot compelling, and your manuscript sparkle!

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

Work experience:

Entangled Publishing

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

Janice

Seattle, WA, USA

Editor of hundreds of traditionally published books.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Poetry, Comics & Graphic Novels, Paranormal Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Fantagraphics Books

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

Kenneth

Port Ewen, NY, USA

What do you get when you combine an MFA, nearly a decade of professional editing experience, and far too many wings and donuts? This guy.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Self-employed

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

Staci

San Francisco, CA, USA

Versatile editor, published author with 10+ years experience including NYT bestselling authors. Memoir, spirituality/religion, romance.

Genres: Inspirational, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Contemporary Romance, Romance, and Fiction.

Work experience: