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

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

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

S. S.

S. S.

Jan, 2026

Outstanding experience with Jonathan. He delivered my work much earlier than expected after I asked if there was any chance to finish it ahead of schedule. His professionalism really stood out, and he went above and beyond to ensure the work was done to the highest standard. Jonathan clearly take...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks for your kind review, Sebastian! I look forward to reading and editing more of your novels.
S. S.

S. S.

Jan, 2026

Jonathan was an absolute pleasure to work with. His feedback was thoughtful, detailed, and deeply engaged with the heart of the story. He took the time to understand not just the plot, but the emotional arc, themes, and characters, offering insights that were both perceptive and encouraging. His ...
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Jonathan S.
Thanks so much for your incredibly kind review, Sebastian! I look forward to helping you with your additional novels.
Hadassah N.

Hadassah N.

Dec, 2025

Jonathan was a pleasure to work with!!! He provided excellent feedback as well as positive encouragement. His price was very fair and we completed my query letter within 48 hours of our collaboration! Very pleasant and professional.
Jonathan S.
Thanks for the nice review! It was a pleasure to work with you too, Hadassah! Best of luck with your query letter.
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...
Read more
Jonathan S.
Thanks for the nice review, Bob! I'm so glad you liked my balanced feedback. :)

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