The best self help book developmental editing services

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Jodi 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I have an MFA and a lot of energy. I work in memoir, fiction, & humor. You'll have fun & learn craft as we go. No AI "writing," please.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Humor & Comedy, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Laura 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

Expert developmental and line editor, ghostwriter, and consultant collaborates on all aspects of nonfiction and fiction for adults and kids.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Poetry, Inspirational, Women's Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Jill Grinberg Literary Management
  • Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
  • Pocket Books
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Penguin USA
  • Theater Communications Group

Jesse 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

I'm a New York City-based editorial consultant with expertise in memoir, fiction, humor, narrative nonfiction, and prescriptive nonfiction.

Genres: Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Music, New Age, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Penguin Random House
  • Callisto Media
  • Freelance/Self-Employed

Maria 5 star rating

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, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Post-Apocalyptic, Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Psychology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Sandra 5 star rating

Omaha, United States

Skilled nonfiction book editor in business/leadership, true crime, selected memoirs. Get from idea to published. I love first-time authors.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Psychology, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and True Crime.

Work experience:

  • Southeast Community College
  • Self-employed
  • Metropolitan Community College

Adaobi 5 star rating

Bronx, NY, United States

I offer services in proofreading and copyediting for all genres, developmental editing of nonfiction, and project management.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Computers & Internet, Technology, Health & Wellbeing, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Manuscript Coordinator
  • Self-employed
  • Hachette Book Group
  • McGraw-Hill Education
  • Apress
  • Project Lead The Way

Allison 5 star rating

Jersey City, NJ, United States

Jack-of-all-trades editor specializing in literary fiction and academic work (journal articles, book chapters, dissertations).

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Life Sciences, Math & Science, Writing & Publishing, Sports & Outdoors, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Wiley

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Arnie 5 star rating

Kihei, HI, United States

I edit books on psychology, spirituality, social justice, and wellness. I've worked with Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, and Jack Kornfield.

Genres: Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Buddhism, Religion & Spirituality, Biographies & Memoirs, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and New Age.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Koa Books
  • Parallax Press
  • Whole Earth Bookstore

Marilyn R. 5 star rating

North Andover, MA, USA

Accomplished author, ghostwriter, and editor of books, blog posts, and articles who transforms chaotic concepts into clear prose.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Economics, Humanities & Social Sciences, Health & Wellbeing, Math & Science, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Technology, and Career Guides.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Justin 5 star rating

Detroit, MI, USA

Experienced literary agent / independent editor specializing in memoir, literary fiction, and nonfiction of all kinds. Let's work together!

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Parenting & Families, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Sports & Outdoors, and Travel.

Work experience:

  • Aevitas Creative Management

Anna 5 star rating

Winter Park, FL, USA

Nonfiction editor with 20+ years at major publishers. Business, self-help, and academic books.

Genres: Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Casey 5 star rating

St. Louis, MO, USA

Developmental editor/copy editor/proofreader with 8+ years of experience. Specializing in memoirs and self-help, but open to all genres.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Erin 5 star rating

Vancouver, Washington, USA

Experienced editor of memoir, self-help, alternative spirituality & holistic wellness. Book coach for soul-centered entrepreneurs. NO AI.

Genres: Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, New Age, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Vesela 5 star rating

Chicago, IL, USA

Decades of experience editing creative and transformational nonfiction—psychology, faith, and the conversation between science and the soul.

Genres: Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality, Health & Wellbeing, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Association for Research and Enlightenment
  • Institute of Noetic Sciences
  • Yoga Journal

Ariel 5 star rating

Chattanooga, TN, USA

Development and acquisitions editor with 10 years' experience in nonfiction publishing working with bestselling authors.

Genres: Education & Reference, Non-Fiction, Parenting & Families, Health & Wellbeing, Business & Management, Biographies & Memoirs, Inspirational, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Corwin
  • Self-employed

Ashten 5 star rating

Overland Park, KS, USA

Editor with acquisitions experience and insight for first-time authors. I specialize in self-help, health, education, and New Age genres.

Genres: New Age, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Parenting & Families, Education & Reference, and Health & Wellbeing.

Work experience:

  • Hay House, Inc.
  • Ulysses Press
  • Union Square & Co. (formerly Sterling Publishing)
  • Self-employed

Mary 5 star rating

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Writing + story coach to hundreds of authors, I edit fiction, inspy non-fiction, + queries. Bestseller with 17+ years experience.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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Hire the best self-help developmental editors

Writing a self-help book is a topical endeavour for an author: you get to share some of the most important lessons you learned, and potentially improve thousands (or millions) of other people's lives with it. But writing a self-help book you can get lost in the the details of balancing scientific research, personal experience, and practical advice — losing sight of the bigger picture. That's why you may want to hire a self-help developmental editor to help you. An editor will help you to make sure that the main idea of your book comes across clearly, and that you only include the necessary bits of research and advice essential for the success of your book.

You can find professional self-help developmental editors at Reedsy, people with decades of experience and who have worked with publishers in the likes of Simon & Schuster and Random House, as well as smaller publishing companies. Pick your favourite editor and request a quote today.

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse professional profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

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.

Step 4

Collaborate

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

Reedsy | Developmental editing — find the gem | 2024-09

Find the gem in your early draft

The best developmental editors in the industry are on Reedsy. Come meet them.