Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan – Editor

Developmental editor of adult fiction, especially mystery and fantasy. Can't wait to share actionable advice! Currently booking for December

Overview

I'm an editor with 10+ years of experience in the publishing industry with particular experience working on mystery and fantasy books.

I specialize in developmental editing on pacing, character development, plotting, and world building, as well as line editing. I can also help with editorial assessments for more overview guidance rather than getting into the nitty gritty if you're looking for feedback on an early draft.

I typically give feedback in the form of editorial letters with specific examples relating to my notes and/or an annotated Word document.

I look forward to working together!

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Cozy Mysteries Espionage Fantasy Historical Mysteries Romantic Fantasy
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Penguin Random House

Mar, 2019 — Present
SENIOR EDITOR, Audio: Apr 2022-Dec 2024 EDITOR, Audio: Mar 2019-Apr 2022 • Manages audio publications of an assigned list of Penguin imprints • Considers and acquires submissions from agents and out-of-house publishers • Identifies new opportunities for non-traditional audio titles (e.g. journals, cookbooks, illus. books), backlist, audio first, and audio original publications • Supervises assistant editor on their assigned list of imprints

St. Martin's Press, Macmillan

Jul, 2016 — Mar, 2019 (over 2 years)
• Provided developmental editing support for fiction titles • Project managed fiction and nonfiction titles, including 4 New York Times Best Sellers • Wrote book copy for retailer websites and book jackets

Self-employed

Mar, 2016 — Jul, 2019 (over 3 years)
• Line-edited and developmentally edited mystery books for a NYC-based publisher

Portfolio

Devil's Breath: A Max Tudor Mystery (A Max Tudor Novel Book 6)

Malliet, G. M.

Gone Gull: A Meg Langslow Mystery (Meg Langslow Mysteries Book 21)

Andrews, Donna

The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries Book 3)

Goldberg, Leonard

The Little Shop of Found Things: A Novel

Brackston, Paula

A Borrowing of Bones: A Mercy Carr Mystery

Munier, Paula

Death of an Unsung Hero: A Lady Montfort Mystery (Lady Montfort Mystery Series Book 4)

Arlen, Tessa

A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Baptist Minister: The Murder at Windy Meadows

Brown, Janet A.

Janet A. Brown

Developmental Editing
A Death by Any Other Name: A Mystery (Lady Montfort Mystery Series Book 3)

Arlen, Tessa

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance: A Novel

Lang, Ruth Emmie

The Extinction Agenda

Laurence, Michael

Terns of Endearment: A Meg Langslow Mystery (Meg Langslow Mysteries Book 25)

Andrews, Donna

The Dark Above: A Novel

Finley, Jeremy

Blind Search: A Mercy Carr Mystery

Munier, Paula

Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things Book 2)

Brackston, Paula

Much Ado About Lewrie: An Alan Lewrie Naval Adventure (Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures Book 25)

Lambdin, Dewey

Bones Behind the Wheel: A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery

Copperman, E. J.

The Darkest Time of Night: A Novel

Finley, Jeremy

A Study in Treason: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries Book 2)

Goldberg, Leonard

Lord of the Pies: A Kensington Palace Chef Mystery

Hampton, Nell

In Prior's Wood: A Max Tudor Mystery (A Max Tudor Novel Book 7)

Malliet, G. M.

In the Still of the Night: The Supernaturals II

Golemon, David L.

Dark Winds Rising: A Novel (Queen Branwen Book 2)

Noce, Mark

Trumpet of Death: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries Book 13)

Riggs, Cynthia

Death on the Menu: A Key West Food Critic Mystery

Burdette, Lucy

Death and a Pot of Chowder: A Maine Murder Mystery

Kidd, Cornelia

In Want of a Knife: A Little Library Mystery

Buzzelli, Elizabeth Kane

Jennifer has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Janet B.

Janet B.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
Working with Jennifer (Donovan) has been an absolute gift. She is thorough, kind, and consistently meets her deadlines, which makes the entire editing process stress-free. What I appreciate most is that she never makes you feel inadequate—instead, she encourages and uplifts you while guiding your...
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Rachel E.

Rachel E.

May, 2024

Pinned
I was drawn to Jennifer's profile overview where it highlights her love and experience in mystery and cozies. And even thought the over view states she "can also help with editorial assessments for more overview guidance rather than getting into the nitty gritty if you're looking for feedback on...
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DJ (Don) M.

DJ (Don) M.

Apr, 2023

Pinned
Jennifer was absolutely brilliant in all aspects of her editing, including the content, structure and timing . It was incredibly thorough, raising points missed by previous mentors, which is particularly important in a thriller to make sure that the plot elements add up properly, as well as feedb...
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Olivia M.

Olivia M.

Nov, 2025

Jennifer was a delight to work with from start to finish. Her sharp insight and deep understanding of the characters and story made my book shine. I greatly appreciated her organized approach to the edits, with clear, direct feedback and encouragement. Jennifer is friendly and committed, and I lo...
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Janet B.

Janet B.

Feb, 2025

This is the second project I have had the pleasure of working on with Jennifer, and I intend to continue collaborating with her for as long as I write. Her professionalism and meticulous attention to detail never fail to impress me—she consistently identifies issues I would have otherwise overloo...
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