Jonathan Starke

Jonathan Starke – Editor

I've spent 18 years editing debuts and bestsellers across genres, traditional and self-published. Agent/publisher queries. Caring, diligent.

Overview

I'm an award-winning author with 18 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, 2006 — Present

For 18 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 13,000 manuscripts, from fiction to nonfiction to poetry to drama to graphic narratives. I founded this literary magazine and press 14 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 58 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Devin C.

Devin C.

Nov, 2024

Jonathan is an amazing, thoughtful, and professional editor. He kept me updated on progress and provided an exceptional edit of my book on the day it was agreed on. I highly recommend Jonathan for your editing requirements.
Jonathan S.
Thanks for your thoughtful words and inspirational memoir, Devin! I'm wishing you the best with it.
Paul O.

Paul O.

Nov, 2024

Fast and efficient, great proofreader. Comes highly recommended:)
Jonathan S.
Thanks for the kind words! :)
Kacey C.

Kacey C.

Oct, 2024

A huge THANK YOU to Jonathan Starke, my editor, for his invaluable edits and insightful feedback. His experience as both a writer and an editor proved invaluable, helping me to elevate the manuscript and strengthen the story. His positive support throughout the process was a true gift. He even completed the project earlier than expecting!
Jonathan S.
Thanks so much, Kacey! I appreciate your kind words. :)
William S.

William S.

Oct, 2024

Jonathan did a fabulous job of coaching me throughout the process of writing a query letter. It has been a very rewarding experience.
Jonathan S.
Thank you for the kind words, William. Wishing you luck on your pursuit of an agent!
Maggie G.

Maggie G.

Sep, 2024

Working with Johnathan is always an absolute joy. He is thorough and keen to things in a story that can be improved so that any good reader would enjoy it. He has truly helped me bump my manuscripts to the next level, navigating me through his process, and leaving generously helpful lines/notes along the way. I highly recommend him to any writer ready to move one step closer toward finishing/pu...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your kind review, Maggie! I always love reading your work and can't wait for the next one!

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