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 66 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

max E.

max E.

Mar, 2025

Jonathan's collaboration with me was tremendously valuable for my project. As a copy editor and proofreader, he provided line-by-line edits and comments. He was prompt in communicating with me, and in doing the work (in fact finishing it ahead of schedule). Importantly, Jonathan also engaged with the work both in comments and in communicating with me. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your kind review, Max! I look forward to working with you on your next novel. :)
Brenda F.

Brenda F.

Feb, 2025

I enjoyed working with Jonathan. His communication style is clear and supportive, but also direct. I especially appreciated the way he stayed mindful of time and place when reviewing my work - which is really important in historical fiction.
Jonathan S.
Thank you, Brenda! I'm wishing you luck with the novel and look forward to helping you with your query materials.
Maggie G.

Maggie G.

Feb, 2025

Collaborating with Johnathan is always a pleasure. Writing can be a complex process, and when it comes to the completion of a project, I trust him with the story, and appreciate his insightful and helpful feedback. He takes great notice of characters, and pays attention to every scene. He works in a timely manner and sends updates throughout the project. The returned proofread manuscript is to ...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thank you, Maggie! I always enjoy reading and editing your novels. :) Looking forward to the next one!
Josh H.

Josh H.

Jan, 2025

This was my first time having a book professionally edited, and I have to say Jonathan hit it out of the park! He was quick to respond, did quality work, and even finished my project ahead of schedule with some top-notch advice thrown in as well! I would highly recommend Jonathan to anyone who asks, and look forward to working with him again!
Jonathan S.
Thank you for this thoughtful review, Josh! I'm wishing you the best with your novella and look forward to the next one!
Brandon S.

Brandon S.

Jan, 2025

Jonathan's communication, responsiveness, notes, and ability to meet or beat the deadlines all exceeded my expectations. I'm hoping to get to leave another review once (if) my manuscript is picked up for representation and/or publication. Great experience and he was very helpful throughout, given the numerous questions I had for him about the process.
Jonathan S.
I appreciate the very kind words and thoughts. Thank you, Brandon. I'm hoping the best for your novel and agent queries!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Jonathan and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Jonathan

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Claire Strombeck

Claire S.

I have over 15 years' experience editing for top publishers, including Penguin Random House. Contact me for any editorial services.

London, UK

85% reply rate

View profile
Karin Kipp

Karin K.

I'm a copy editor and proofreader dedicated to helping authors communicate their ideas clearly for Sourcebooks, Callisto Media, and others.

Mount Prospect, IL, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Michelle Olson

Michelle O.

Acclaimed and passionate literary editor of romance, fantasy, and suspense--and lover of the Oxford comma--with over 10 years of experience.

Coral Springs, FL, USA

100% reply rate

View profile