Lydia Stevens

Lydia Stevens – Editor

I'm a freelance developmental editor with a passion for fiction and nonfiction projects that are inspirational, motivational, and inspiring.

Overview

I worked for three years as an Acquisitions Editor, am a full-time freelance Developmental Editor, and an award-winning author. Having completed my Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing and English, I then pursued an internship with a literary agency and an academic press based in London. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Humanities and Culture with a specialty in Women and Gender Studies and Creative Writing.

I have a passion for nonfiction and enjoy working on memoirs, spirituality, self-help, relationships, parenting, humanities, mental health & awareness, careers, sexuality, and women & gender novels. I have also worked on several works of fiction in fantasy, romance, mystery, and thrillers. I teach several workshops based on publishing and writing techniques. I am enthusiastic and passionate about helping writers hone their craft and produce engaging, riveting manuscripts.

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Mystery & Crime Romantic Fantasy Thriller & Suspense
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Urano Publishing

Oct, 2021 — Mar, 2024 (over 2 years)
As an acquisitions editor of Urano Publishing, my core responsibilities were networking with authors and agents to obtain manuscripts of nonfiction titles specializing in self-help, inspirational, motivational, personal growth, and development and providing in-depth developmental edits for each manuscript.

Creative Media Agency

Jan, 2021 — Jun, 2021 (6 months)
Also worked 1/01/2019-06/01/2019. Editorial intern to literary agency assessing query letters, editorial letters, manuscript evaluations, reader reports, and author relations.

Anthem Press

Mar, 2020 — Sep, 2020 (6 months)
Acquisitions assistant to Acquisitions Editor. Manuscript evaluations and client relations.

Self-employed

Jan, 2016 — Present
Working as a freelance developmental editor and writing coach, my tasks are to provide manuscript developmental edits, character assessments, plot, pacing, voice, setting, tone, theme, and story arc suggestions.

Portfolio

She Who Wins

Bauer, Renée C.

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Eros (English Edition)

Miguel Ruiz

Urano

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Bonds of Blood & Silver

Butchers, Sandy

Tangled Rat

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Burning the Bridges

Blount, Charles

AuthorHouse

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Uncaged Sky

Kylie Moore-Gilbert

Urano World

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Disinformed

Lawrence, Dr. Daniel

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Manless

Danowski, Dr. Debbie

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Divorce Your Diet

Hollan Goewey

Urano World

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Faith of the Butterfly

Dawn, Susannah

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Schizophrenia: A Strengths Perspective

Robert (LCSW) Francis

Urano World

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Not Your Mom's Divorce

Michelle Moore, Ph.D.

Urano World

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
The Lean & Happy Home

Jarlsdotter, Eva

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Sassy and Rude

Debra Mandel

Urano World

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Freedom with Food and Fitness

Alana Van Der Sluys

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
how to be a grown up

Buchana, Daisy

Urano Publishing

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
This Working Life

Lisa Leong

Urano World

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Lydia has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Audrey C.

Audrey C.

Jan, 2025

Pinned
Lydia was such a tremendous blessing to my writing! She helped me identify some of my habits that made sense to me, but not to my readers. She gave very thoughtful insights while still celebrating the content I had created, and was very responsive to questions and ideas. She was very friendly and...
Read more
Lydia S.
Thank you so much Audrey! You have been such a pleasure to work with and I thoroughly enjoyed your manuscript. I hope your writing career is successful and fulfilling!
Breleisha G.

Breleisha G.

Aug, 2025

Very helpful with correcting manuscript
Lydia S.
Thank you so much! You were wonderful to work with!

Professionals similar to Lydia

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

Erin McClary

Erin M.

Developmental and line-level editor of adult fiction and nonfiction for 5+ years. Former acquiring editor at Sourcebooks.

Appleton, WI, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Michael Carroll

Michael C.

I am a book editor and writer with more than 30 years of experience in just about every non-fiction and fiction genre.

Toronto, ON, Canada

100% reply rate

View profile
Sean Fletcher

Sean F.

Editor of bestselling, award-winning middle grade, YA, and adult books, specializing in fantasy and sci-fi. Let's make your book stand out!

Denton, TX, United States

90% reply rate

View profile