The best book editors for hire in the United States

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Meticulous copy and developmental editor of nonfiction, equipped with diverse industry experience and a masters in Publishing.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Sociology.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

George 5 star rating

Virginia, United States

Experienced copy editor and proofreader of trade books in a wide variety of genres, for readers of all ages.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Children’s Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • The Free Lance-Star
  • freelance
  • self-employed and for various companies
  • volunteer

Sean 5 star rating

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 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

Nell 5 star rating

Jacksonville, FL, United States

From bestselling business titles and cookbooks to academic manuscripts, I've helped authors polish their prose for more than 15 years.

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

  • Callisto Media
  • The American University in Cairo Press
  • Millionacres and The Motley Fool
  • Bankrate

Ashley 5 star rating

New Philadelphia, United States

Editor of all things smart, inspiring, crafty, and culinary that enrich the soul. Helping authors put their best books forward since 2008.

Genres: Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Romance, Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Religion & Spirituality, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Barbour Publishing
  • Adams Media (Simon & Schuster) | BenBella Books | Page Street Publishing | Callisto Media

Paul 5 star rating

New York, United States

Contemporary fiction, romance, YA, plays, memoirs & cookbooks are my specialties. Clients: Amazon, Simon & Schuster, Kensington.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Biographies & Memoirs, Contemporary Fiction, and LGBTQ Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Editing Company
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Diner Journal
  • Kensington Publishing

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Lindsey 5 star rating

New York, United States

Experienced editor from a Big Five publisher specializing in mystery, suspense, and thrillers.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Grand Central Publishing
  • Crooked Lane Books

Erin 5 star rating

Los Angeles, United States

Experienced writer, editor and agent with an MFA in Creative Writing. I have edited NYT bestsellers, including The Maze Runner. 15+ years

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • The Industry
  • tNY Press
  • Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC
  • 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

Jim 5 star rating

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

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

Marah 5 star rating

Washington, DC, United States

Incisive editor and collaborative, results-oriented project manager of health, food, and lifestyle books

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Simon & Schuster Trade Paperbacks
  • Scribner

Barry 5 star rating

New York, United States

I am a content editor, copy editor, and proofreader. I specialize in nonfiction books.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Travel, Philosophy, and Entertainment.

Work experience:

  • Self Employed

Patrick 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

Hands-on, thoughtful editor specializing in memoir, self-help, thriller, mystery, suspense, and YA fiction. Formerly of Simon and Schuster.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Entertainment, Sex & Relationships, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Thriller & Suspense, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Self-Employed
  • Simon & Schuster / Simon Pulse
  • Simon & Schuster / Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) and Gallery Books
  • International Creative Management (ICM)
  • Matt DeCoursey Enterprises / Realist Books

Allyson 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, United States

Professional copy editor and proofreader with 15+ years of experience working on fiction, narrative nonfiction, and prescriptive nonfiction.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Parenting & Families, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • The Overlook Press
  • Grand Central Publishing
  • DC Comics

Elisabeth 5 star rating

Iowa City, IA, United States

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling editor of nonfiction and memoir.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Nature, Travel, Entertainment, Sex & Relationships, Sports & Outdoors, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • University of Iowa Press
  • University of Nebraska Press
  • Self-employed

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Hire the best book editors in the United States

Done with your first draft, but have no idea how to proceed? It’s true that there are several different types of editing, and the type you need will depend entirely on the state of your book — but being the author yourself, it’s unlikely you can be objective about its strengths and weaknesses.

So to save money on unnecessary or premature edits, hire someone to give your book an editorial assessment first. These editors look at your work and offer clear, concise feedback about areas in which you need to improve. This might be anything from weird spacing to gaping plot hole, so brace yourself for the gamut of editorial suggestions.

Of course, it’s possible that your assessment will come back with a stamp of approval and just one note: publish. But it’s more possible that an editorial assessment of a rough draft will come back with at least a few suggestions. The good news is that, after getting a thorough editorial assessment, you know exactly where you stand — it takes the nerve-racking guesswork away, so you can move forward with your publishing journey.

To discover the most perceptive and knowledgeable editors for hire in the United States, start looking on Reedsy 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.

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