The best manuscript editors for hire near Chicago

Susan

Chicago, IL, USA

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Trad and indie fiction editor of SF/F, horror, and romance. Lover of all things nerdy, steamy, and everything in between.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Epic Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense, Space Opera, Science Fiction, Horror, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

• Self-employed

Don

Chicago, IL, USA

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I do developmental editing in social science and the humanities. From first drafts through to publication, I like helping scholars succeed.

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

Work experience:

• CEMSE, University of Chicago
• University of Chicago Press
• Self

Avner

Chicago, IL, USA

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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

Lizzie

Chicago, IL, USA

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Nimble, warm, and energetic literary editor with 10 years' experience shepherding projects from manuscript to award-winning finished book.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Parenting & Families, Non-Fiction, and LGBTQ Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

• Coffee House Press
• Transit Books
• Self-employed

Aja

Austin, United States

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Making sure your prose sings, your facts and story are straight, and your unique voice shines through.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Music, Entertainment, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

• Simon & Schuster
• on my porch, at a coffee shop, in far-flung places . . .

Peggy

Philadelphia, United States

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Cookbook/nonfiction editor, writer & project manager w/ 20+ yrs in publishing. Also offering recipe development and testing.

Genres: Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

• Self Employed
• Clarkson Potter/Random House

Grace

Chicago, IL, USA

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Fantasy || Mystery || Dystopian — 10+ years at Big Five and indies with NYT, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestsellers.

Genres: Mystery & Crime, Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

• Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group)
• Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen
• JMH Scouting

Caroline

Chicago, IL, USA

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Multigenre editor with a knack for offbeat characters and juicy plots. I love indie publishing and contemporary fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

• Loyola University Chicago

Vesela

Chicago, IL, USA

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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

Danielle

Chicago, IL, USA

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Developmental Editor with 15+ years of Multifaceted Expertise in Romance, Fiction, & More. Let's work together to make your book shine!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy, Time Travel Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

• Sourcebooks, Inc.
• Self-employed
• Fresh Fiction
• Anderson's Bookshop

Melissa

Phoenix, AZ, United States

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Freelance editor, faculty in an MFA novel writing program, and NYT/internationally bestselling writer.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Fantasy, Time Travel Romance, Epic Fantasy, Horror, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

• Self-employed
• Southern New Hampshire University

Elayne

Chicago, IL, USA

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Fantasy author, former Tor Books editor, and speculative fiction specialist with 10+ years' experience editing SFF across age categories.

Genres: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Children's, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

• Tor Teen, Macmillan Publishers
• Tor Books, Macmillan Publishers
• Alyssa Matesic Editing

Brooke

Denver, United States

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Experienced (9 years in-house, 20 years freelance), nonfiction editor specializing in assessments, development editing, and copy editing.

Genres: History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Music, Entertainment, Parenting & Families, Biographies & Memoirs, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

• Chicago Review Press
• Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
• Westview Press in the Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
• Self-employed

Julia

Charleston, SC, United States

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Line and copy editor, with content capabilities. I have the most experience in nonfiction, but my favorite edits are middle grade and YA.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

• The History Press
• Newgen KnowledgeWorks
• Amnet

Julia

Berkeley, CA, United States

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NYT-bestselling author, book reviewer, and editor. I've helped dozens of clients get published in small and large presses. I love what I do!

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, Education & Reference, Literary Fiction, and Fiction.

Work experience:

• Self-employed
• The Los Angeles Times
• El Financiero de Mexico
• Wired News
• The New York Times
• Stanford University

Marah

Washington, DC, United States

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Cookbook ghostwriter and editor who knows both sides of the desk. Food, health, and lifestyle books, from proposal to manuscript.

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

Work experience:

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

Ann Leslie

New York City, NY, United States

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Over 25 years' editorial experience at a Big 5 publisher and a literary agency, specializing in commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Romantic Comedy, Psychological Thriller, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

• Harlequin Books
• Dystel, Goderich & Bourret