17+ Best short story developmental editors for hire in the United States

Cindy

Slippery Rock, PA, United States

I help make dreams come true – developing your first draft or polishing your final work with personal care. Lower-cost options available.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Education & Reference, Cultural & Ethnic, Anthologies, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Writing Assessment Services
Grove City College
Veritas Academy Online
Florida State University, Auburn University, Tallahassee Community College, Los Positas College

Susan

Philadelphia, PA, USA

I'm a highly experienced editor and writer specializing in books for children and teens.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Short Story, Young Adult, Women's Fiction, and Parenting & Families.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Little Fox, Inc
Editorial Services boutique
Bantam Doubleday Dell
Simon & Schuster
New American Library

Rachel

Albuquerque, NM, USA

I am a writer, a life-long educator, and an editor who works to help other writers find their voice.

Genres: Coming of Age, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Short Story, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Nature.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Narrative Magazine
Antioch Review
Antioch College

Scott

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Developmental and copy editor specializing in speculative fiction. I love helping writers bring their imaginative worlds to life!

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Space Opera, Short Story, Horror, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Outland Entertainment

Uche

Exeter, NH, USA

Writer (MFA) and editor (5+ years) with a keen interest in storytelling. I specialize in literary and multicultural fiction.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, and Anthologies.

Work experience:

Kachifo Limited (publishers of Farafina Books)

Marcia

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: Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Business & Management, Children’s Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Plymouth State University

Avner

Chicago, IL, USA

Professional editor, ghostwriter, and author of literary fiction and non-fiction who can help get you and your book across the finish line.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Short Story, Contemporary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, and Humor & Comedy.

Work experience:

Texas-based Publishing Services Company
Self-employed

Benjamin

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Experienced publisher and developmental editor specializing in horror, thriller, SF, and more. I help aspiring authors become professionals.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Bryndee

Boise, ID, USA

I enjoy working on all sorts of projects with people who need help with grammar. My main areas are business and English.

Genres: Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, Historical Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Lexington Books
Golbon

Martin Roy

San Diego, CA, USA

Professional editor and national award-winning author with a wide range of experience in fiction and nonfiction publishing.

Genres: Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Cozy Mysteries, Military Science Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Naval Health Research Center
San Diego Business Journal
San Diego Magazine
The Log Newspapers
Palm Springs Desert Sun

Constance

Charlotte, NC, USA

Professional editor specializing in literary and historical novels, YA, and speculative fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Short Story, Mystery & Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

Three Rooms Press
Skyhorse Publishing

Ashley

Jersey City, NJ, USA

A supportive and collaborative editorial professional with 10+ years’ experience across print and digital—and a total bookworm.

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Literary Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Prairie Schooner, University of Nebraska
History Press
Publishers Weekly
CreateSpace, an Amazon.com Company
Milkweed Editions
Yemassee Journal
Self-employed
Compose.ly
Turner Publishing
The Book Incubator

Ashley

Westchester, IL, USA

I work as Content Editor for an independent publisher and also as a freelance editor. I enjoy working with writers of all genres.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Short Story, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

Mason Jar Press

Lee

Portland, Oregon, USA

A sharp, sensitive editor of fiction and creative nonfiction with twenty-five years of experience in publishing.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Anthologies, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry, Math & Science, Writing & Publishing, Coming of Age, and Short Story.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Tin House Books
Tin House magazine
SheBooks
The Santa Monica Review
Dove Books
The Iowa Review

Nicole

New York, NY, United States

I'm a literary agent with a passion for collaboration and a love of storytelling. Always thoughtful, engaged, and optimistic.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Women's Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Sex & Relationships, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

The Book Group
The Reading Room
ICM Partners

Kevin

Olympia, Washington, USA

Pacific Northwest editor. Fan of literary fiction, CNF deep dives, and crime thrillers. Eager to work in service of your manuscript!

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Action & Adventure, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Thriller & Suspense, Short Story, and Sports & Outdoors.

Work experience: