Jonathan Starke

Jonathan Starke – Editor

I've spent 20 years editing debuts and bestsellers across genres, traditional and self-published. Agent/publisher queries. Caring. Diligent.

Overview

I'm an award-winning author with 20 years of editing and publishing experience specializing in COPY EDITING, PROOFREADING, and QUERIES. I've edited hundreds of manuscripts from writers at all different stages (debuts to seasoned authors) and helped them develop successful submission packages. My clients have signed with top-tier agents and publishers (HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan), become bestsellers (award-winning novel The Boat Runner), and earned multiple number-one spots on the Amazon charts (Nocturnal Admissions: Behind the Scenes at Legendary Nightclubs).

GENRES:

Literary, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Action and Adventure, Sci-Fi, Romance, Biography, Memoir

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• An initial message exchange to build rapport and discuss your project and goals

• Feel free to ask questions throughout the entire process; I'm quick to respond

• I clean, tighten, and proofread your manuscript offering feedback in the margins

• Or edit and bolster your query and synopsis for agents and publishers

• All edits are completed using Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster

• I deliver two copies of the work, one with the edits showing, the other clean

• And off you go with your polished manuscript or submissions materials!

TESTIMONIALS:

• "Hiring Jonathan was the best writing-related decision I ever made. He reads all my work before I send it out, helped me sell my first novel, place dozens of stories in top-tier journals, and guided my writing to new depths." -- Dr. Devin Murphy, bestselling author of The Boat Runner

• "Jonathan helped raise my novel to a prizewinner with his skilled line and copy editing abilities." -- D. E. Lee, author of the prizewinning The Sky After Rain

​BONUS INFO:

I'm a former bodybuilder and boxer who loves traveling, making handcrafted soap, thrifting, recycling, and volunteering.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Cozy Mysteries Dystopian Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Black Heron Press Award for Social Fiction
Certifications
  • MFA in Creative Writing - Fiction
  • MFA in Creative Writing - Nonfiction
  • BA in English and Fiction Writing

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2005 — Present
For 20 years I've offered professional editorial services including copy edits, proofreading, line edits, critiques, and helped authors query agents and publishers. I happily work in a range of genres, though I specialize in literary, thriller, mystery, memoir, and translations; for manuscripts: novels, nonfiction books, and essay and story collections. I've also enjoyed coaching writers to reach the full breadth of their talents through encouraging emails, phone calls, notes, and comments.

Palooka Magazine and Palooka Press

Jan, 2010 — Present
Through Palooka and Palooka Press I've evaluated over 15,000 manuscripts, from fiction to nonfiction to poetry to drama to graphic narratives. I founded this literary magazine and press 15 years ago to create a space for writers and artists to have a truly fair shot at publication and the chance to be seen, read, and recognized without connections or prejudice.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
Freeing Nicole: A twisty whodunit

Maughan, D.J.

Hulyeseg Inc

Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading Book Coaching
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Lose Yourself

Wetzel, Vince

OT Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
Friends in Low Places

Wetzel, Vince

Vincent Wetzel

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review
Copy Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review
The Penny Thief

Paul, Christophe

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
Mother of Invention

Wolfson Widger, Caeli

Copy Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review
Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
Copy Editing Proofreading

Jonathan has 91 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

S. S.

S. S.

Feb, 2026

It’s the third time I’ve worked with Jonathan, and once again he has brought my manuscript into the best possible shape. His attention to detail, professionalism, and deep understanding of the craft truly stand out. He not only improved the overall quality of the book but also delivered the work ...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your kind review, Sebastian! I'm looking forward to helping with your next excellent novel.
Dany T.

Dany T.

Feb, 2026

I had an amazing experience working with Jonathan. He went far beyond what I expected, not only delivering a thorough, high‑quality proofread, but also offering insightful notes throughout my entire manuscript. His feedback was thoughtful, clear, and genuinely helpful. He was incredibly responsiv...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your very kind words, Dany! Looking forward to helping with your next one too.
Frankie M.

Frankie M.

Feb, 2026

Jonathan was wonderful to work with! He gave great feedback, was very communicative, and most of all he is a very nice person. He completed the project ahead of schedule and was thorough in his notes. We recommend Jonathan to anyone looking to use his services.
Jonathan S.
Thanks for your kind review, Frankie!
Brian W.

Brian W.

Feb, 2026

Jonathan Starke is an awesome find: very professional, experienced and encouraging the entire time. I feel like I'm in a giant learning curve and Jonathan was patient with me all the way through, even sharing in my humor over everything. His review and edits to my query letter were spot on, he co...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your kind review, Brian! Good luck with your query letter. I look forward to working with you again.
Steve P.

Steve P.

Feb, 2026

Working with Jonathan was an outstanding experience from start to finish. He delivered the project ahead of schedule, kept me updated throughout the process, and went well beyond what I originally hired him for. His attention to detail, professionalism, and thoughtful engagement with the manuscri...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thanks for your kind review, Steve! I enjoyed working with you and am wishing you success with Sam's story!

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