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 Contemporary Fiction 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

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

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

randall A.

randall A.

Dec, 2025

Jonathan did an excellent job editing my novel. His notes were thoughtful and right on the mark, and he was genuinely great to work with. It always felt like he was really paying attention to the work. I’d definitely hire him again. Very happy with the whole experience.
Jonathan S.
Thanks so much, Randall! I enjoyed reading your novel and hope to work together again.
Robert R.

Robert R.

Nov, 2025

Jonathan was wonderful to work with. He finished my copy edit early, which will allow me to make all changes and have my manuscript ready for my publisher early. I've been trying out different editors recently, and what set him apart from others is his feedback. Not only did he explain why he rec...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks for the nice review, Bob! I'm so glad you liked my balanced feedback. :)
N.T. D.

N.T. D.

Nov, 2025

An incredibly down to Earth and quick on his feet editor. When it came to my questions and concerns I felt no worry or hesitancy with Jonathan. If you want someone to carefully analyze and get back to you quickly as well as completing tasks early for a incredibly cost efficient price, look no fur...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks for your kind review, Nicholas! I'm wishing you well with your novella.
Kacey C.

Kacey C.

Oct, 2025

Jonathan’s thoughtful reader comments and overall support for my writing craft made this collaboration outstanding. This was my second project with him in my National Park Mystery-Thriller series, Murder in Vacationland (Acadia National Park), following our work together on Do Not Die Today (Josh...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Kacey! I'm wishing you luck with this one and looking forward to the next one!
David D.

David D.

Oct, 2025

Jonathan was wonderful to work with. He provided me frequent updates and finished my manuscript 2 weeks early. He was always very responsive to any questions I had and the final product looked fantastic. He was very thorough in his editing and provided me with helpful tips and thoughtful comme...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thanks so much, David! I enjoyed working with you and reading your debut novel!

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