Lauren Dooley

Lauren Dooley – Editor

A passionate, devoted editor who adores storytelling and specialises in fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and cozy mysteries. Edits for Second Sky.

Overview

With an MA in Publishing and 5+ years of experience, I am an extremely competent editor. I've worked for trade publishers, such as Second Sky, Rising Action Publishing, Inked in Gray, SmashBear Publishing, Joffe Books, Lume, and ChocLit, along with indie authors.

I have experience working on fantasy, horror, crime thrillers, and cozy mysteries. I have extensive experience in developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading.

I adore reading and bringing stories to life. I love the idea of delving into a new challenge and putting my current skills to the test to make an amazing book flourish. I thoroughly enjoy reading LGBTQIA+ and diverse SFFH and cozy mysteries, and I bring my passion for storytelling to every editing project. I also love helping authors find their voice, especially those under-represented in the industry.

Services
Fiction
Cozy Mysteries Epic Fantasy Horror Paranormal Romance Romantic Fantasy Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • People’s Book Award Finalist 2026
  • Page Turner Fiction Book Award Finalist 2026
Certifications
  • BA English, Maynooth University, Ireland
  • MA in Publishing, Roehampton University, UK
  • Copyediting - CIEP

Work experience

Self-employed

Aug, 2022 — Present
- Editor for over 70+ manuscripts, including SFFH, crime, thrillers, cozy mysteries, and romance. - Providing developmental, copyediting, and proofreading support.

Joffe Books

Jun, 2024 — Aug, 2025 (about 1 year)
- Working across commercial fiction genres, including crime, romance, sagas, historical fiction, cozy mysteries, thrillers, and more. - Structurally editing new manuscripts, along with copyediting and proofreading.

SmashBear Publishing

Nov, 2021 — Jun, 2024 (over 2 years)
- Commissioned new SFFH titles - Developmental editing, copy-editing, and proofreading support.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
The Lost Heir (Celestial Tales Book 1)

Winters, V.M.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Quiet Resurrection of Sister Evelida Livingston

Wallin, Nick

Rising Action

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Of Sand and Stars (Eternity Book 1)

Os Ibrahim

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Incandescent Fates

Lang, Isabelle M.

Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Ember and Steel: Breitho Chronicles Book One

Morgan, Donna

Godrevy Publishing

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Eden: Book One

Mireles, Lilith

Proofreading
Copy Editing
Life After Me: An emotional and uplifting romance about love and loss

Cook, Ella

Choc Lit Contemporary Romance: A Joffe Books Company

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Brothers Sidhe. : A Shadows of Dorchaile Story

Tiller, Damien

Black Flag Publishing

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Blades & Blood

Martinez, T.M.

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Dye by Design

Brandt, Ashley

Sūtra House

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Where No One Can Hide: The Black Hills, Part II

Quincy, Grace

G&G Publishing

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Maroon Candle

Evanichko, Michael

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Somnium

Amicus, Alena

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
DEATH BY THE DOZEN a BRAND NEW witty and addictive cozy murder mystery

Borton, D.B.

Joffe Books crime thriller, mystery and suspense

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Sound of Islay (MacLellan and MacDonald)

DEVINE, J K

Distant Lights Publishing

Proofreading
The Promise of Lightning (The Godsplit Universe)

Weatherwax, Jenna

SmashBear Publishing Print

Copy Editing
Children of the Tithe (The Changeling Trilogy)

Carvill, Tracey M

Elsewhen Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
The Mardi Gras Murders: A Briana Song Crime Thriller

Stark, Jemma

Independently published

Proofreading
Developmental Editing

Lauren has 42 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

William S.

William S.

Sep, 2026

I've had a fantastic experience with Lauren on the development plan and edits on my debut epic fantasy novel. I have received a detailed plan on how to improve my structure/ characters, and world-building, whilst also getting positive feedback on the stronger aspects of my novel and where I can p...
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Joanna B.

Joanna B.

Sep, 2026

Lauren gave me a great developmental edit. First book. Pantser. I knew it needed some work, but I really couldn't see the woods for the trees. Now I have clarity and a plan to move forward with.
Lise V.

Lise V.

Sep, 2026

I had a very positive experience working with Lauren. After completing the initial English translation of my book myself, I asked her to review the text from a native English speaker’s perspective and make sure it read naturally and correctly. She was professional, thorough, and a pleasure to wo...
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Colm R.

Colm R.

Aug, 2026

Lauren was very helpful throughout the proccess, providing updates on availability and progress on the project throughout. Her notes were thoughtful and clear, providing me with a lot of direction in how I can steer the story in a better direction and encouragement to keep going with it. I defini...
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Geoffrey B.

Geoffrey B.

Aug, 2026

Lauren has been brilliant! She took a jumbled mess and made it into something good. I really appreciated all the hard work she put into my project. I would definitely recommend going to Lauren, and I've already booked my next project in with her.

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