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 4+ 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, sci-fi, 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 Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • People’s Book Award Finalist 2026
Certifications
  • BA English, Maynooth University, Ireland
  • MA in Publishing, Roehampton University, UK

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

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

Wallin, Nick

Rising Action

Copy Editing
Developmental 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
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 29 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Kemper J.

Kemper J.

May, 2026

Lauren was fantastic to work with. As someone very new to the writing and editing world, I was nervous about the process, but her feedback was both accurate and incredibly helpful while still being encouraging and constructive. She took the time to explain what was working, what needed improvemen...
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Madison M.

Madison M.

May, 2026

Lauren has been absolutely amazing to work with. Her feedback and suggestions were so helpful and delivered with care, making it so easy (and fun) to improve my manuscript and pitch package. She was flexible and available when I had questions, and it was so reassuring to have an editor care about...
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Betty R.

Betty R.

Apr, 2026

When I handed over my manuscript to Lauren for a proof read I was pretty complacent. I am so pleased that I chose Lauren as a proof reader. Her work is so very thorough. When I query I will be sure that I have presented a clean piece of work. She is nice to work with too, helpful and friendly.
Dawn D.

Dawn D.

Mar, 2026

Professional and patient, thank you.
Sarah M.

Sarah M.

Mar, 2026

Lauren was very understanding, concise, direct, and professional. I had some issues with payment, but she was very understanding. She finished my developmental edit in the time frame we set, even though the issues gave her less time to work with. Even though we worked in different time zones, the...
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