17+ Best science fiction developmental editors for hire in the United States

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

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

Maya

Charlotte, NC, United States

From the big picture to the tiniest detail, here to help you polish your craft. I work with publishers and individual authors.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Thriller & Suspense, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

Self-Employed

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

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

Stephen

Maplewood, United States

Top editor for 30+ years, novelist, sf/f story writer, poet. Specializes in NF and SF/F. I'll help you write a book you're proud of.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Sports & Outdoors, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Avon Books
Wiley
Amacom
Thomas Dunne Books

Jim

Perry Hall, MD, United States

Crafting a work of fiction is a gloriously arduous process. With over twenty years of experience at one of the big NYC houses, I can help.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Middle Grade Fantasy, Coming of Age, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Random House

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

Marcy

Montclair, NJ, United States

I am a published novelist. I want you to become one, too. I specialize in literary fiction, YA, women's fiction, thrillers and memoir.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Knopf
Dow Jones
About.com

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

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

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

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

Susan

Seattle, WA, USA

Developmental Editor of SFF novels for Wizards of the Coast for twelve years. Runs panels and workshops on the craft of writing.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Wizards of the Coast
Self-employed

Linda

New York, NY, USA

Literary Agent and Developmental Editor (contemporary/historical/literary fiction, romcom, speculative/SFF, BIPOC, LGBTQ+). Query help, too!

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Cultural & Ethnic, Coming of Age, Time Travel, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Emerald City Literary Agency
Highlights Foundation
Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency

Pamela

Woodstock, IL, USA

Developmental editor, writing coach; 25+ years helping fiction and memoir writers deepen and shape their work, and strengthen their voices.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Health & Wellbeing, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Literary Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience: