Keyren Gerlach Burgess

Keyren Gerlach Burgess – Editor

Expert romance editor and Harlequin alum, passionate about crafting compelling stories across genres. Let's bring your vision to life!

Overview

I'm a firm believer that a great story is a great story is a great story, whether it’s contemporary romance, literary fiction, or a memoir. While I edit across genres, contemporary romance is the beating heart of my expertise and experience. I spent over eight and a half years at Harlequin, working with such incredible and noted talents as New York Times best-selling author Kristan Higgins and such wildly popular category romance authors as Marie Ferrarella, Carla Cassidy, and Karen Whiddon. After leaving Harlequin, and following a brief stint at Entangled, I decided to strike out on my own. Since then, I've regularly edited books, fiction and nonfiction alike, for Harper Collins/Harlequin, Amazon Publishing, and Kirkus Media.

Now, a bit about my process: I adore working one-on-one with authors to make their books publishing ready. I have a nurturing but no-nonsense approach that really speaks to authors, whether you are a multiple NYT bestseller or a Midwestern grandpa ready to dust off the manuscript that’s been sitting on a shelf for decades! I see the editor-author relationship as the ultimate exercise in trust, and It's an honor I don't take lightly. As a developmental editor, I will give your project three editing passes, so that I am able to not only identify big-picture items that might need to be addressed, such as flow, plot, or characterization, but also so I can amplify each meaning and nuance behind your voice. As a copyeditor, I will ensure that your copy sparkles to its fullest capacity, and that your core message is being relayed in the most impactful way. And if you're not quite ready for editing, let me troubleshoot your manuscript with an assessment. So entrust me with your book, and together, we'll make it reach its full potential!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Literary Fiction Paranormal Romance Romantic Suspense
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 2008 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance for Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins; 2010 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance for Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins

Work experience

Independent Contractor

Oct, 2012 — Present
I regularly serve as a line editor and developmental editor for commercial fiction, historical fiction, and contemporary romance titles for Harper Collins/Harlequin and Amazon Publishing. My work for Amazon includes a series of books by Consuelo Saah Baehr, which targets the German audience but was written and edited in English, and the buzzworthy JoyRide by Ellen Meister, which is slated for release in April 2025, as well as the paranormal romance series, Bloodlore, by Megan Crane. I also work with Kirkus Media, where I edit a variety of content, from all types of fiction to memoirs and self-help books. Some of these titles have gone on to attract interest from traditional publishing houses, such as Kristal Brent Zook's The Girl in the Yellow Poncho: A Memoir, which went on to be published by Duke University Press, and Gail Lynn Hanson's The Palisades.

Harlequin

Mar, 2004 — Oct, 2012 (over 8 years)
I served as the acquisitions and developmental editor for New York Times best-selling author Kristan Higgins, award-winning author Beth Ciotta, and such popular category romance authors as USA Today bestsellers Carla Cassidy, Karen Whiddon, and Elle Kennedy. During my eight-plus year tenure at Harlequin, I spent over seven years as an editor for the HQN and Romantic Suspense imprints.

Entangled Publishing

Oct, 2011 — Oct, 2012 (about 1 year)
I was the acquisitions and developmental editor for such rising stars as Sofia Harper and Barbara DeLeo. I negotiated numerous contracts and acquired titles for the Entangled Suspense, Indulgence, and Brazen imprints.

Portfolio

The Reveal (Bloodlore)

Crane, Megan

Montlake

Developmental Editing
Joyride: A Novel

Meister, Ellen

Montlake

Developmental Editing
Too Good to be True (MIRA)

Kristan Higgins

Mira Books

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Accidentally In Play

Vox, Aeva

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Sayulita Sunset

Smith, G. Carlos

Perpetual Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Bride's Bodyguard (The Bancroft Brides, 2)

Cornelison, Beth

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Developmental Editing
The Jemdar

Baca, Gregorio

Greg G. Baca

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Palisades

Hanson, Gail Lynn

Slippery Fish Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Heir in a Year (Seasons in Sudbury Book 1)

Bevarly, Elizabeth

Harlequin Special Edition

Copy Editing
Brewing Up a Bad Boy: A Spicy Romantic Comedy (WiCKed Sisters, 3)

Garbera, Katherine

Afterglow Books by Harlequin

Copy Editing
The Girl in the Yellow Poncho: A Memoir

Zook, Kristal Brent

Duke University Press Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing

Keyren has 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Martin R.

Martin R.

Oct, 2025

Keyren is one of the most intelligent editors I've had the privilege of working with. I hold down a demanding full-time job, and writing is how I relax. I'd been writing my manuscript for many months, and as time passed, I realised I needed to share it with a good editor because it required clari...
Read more
Sara F.

Sara F.

Sep, 2025

I had the pleasure of working with Keyren on editing my manuscript, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. She completed the work ahead of schedule, which was a pleasant surprise and greatly appreciated. What stood out most was the quality of her feedback. It was clear that she had...
Read more
Whitney C.

Whitney C.

Sep, 2025

Keyren is the voice I've been searching for. She provided her edits precisely to the timeline she promised. And, even though I've had multiple Beta readers who have given me positive reviews on my novel --- they didn't furnish the direction and constructive criticism I longed for. I needed someon...
Read more
William P.

William P.

Aug, 2025

This is my first book. I had no idea what I was doing, and the collaboration with Keyren was eye-opening. I highly recommend using Reedsy and specifically Keyren Gerlach Burgess.
Elena M.

Elena M.

May, 2025

Keyren is great! I needed her help with a specialized writing submission, and she provided a comprehensive analysis within a short timeframe. Her responsiveness was always prompt and friendly. Her notes and guidance were clear and thoughtful. I also felt the value of her service matched her price...
Read more

Sign up to read more reviews

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

Professionals similar to Keyren

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

Martin Schneider

Martin S.

Editor/proofreader for 25+ years. My books win awards and make the NYT bestseller list. Yale University Press, Penguin Random House, etc.

Cleveland, OH, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Gary Budden

Gary B.

Experienced fiction editor, available for developmental editing, book coaching, and copyediting. Founder of the award-winning Influx Press.

Brisbane QLD, Australia

95% reply rate

View profile
Joan N

Joan N.

I have copy-edited over 200 novels working with Indie authors, specializing in romantic suspense, contemporary & mysteries. Contact me!

Mobile, Alabama, USA

100% reply rate

View profile