Meet the best editors in the industry
The romantic myth of an author sitting alone in their room and emerging with a perfectly polished book is just that: a myth. While writing itself may be a solo activity, the best books are born from collaboration — and professional book editors are crucial partners.
Reedsy editors have worked with Big 5 and indie authors alike, and they’ve polished award-winning and bestselling titles to perfection. They understand exactly what resonates with readers in your genre.
Terri B.
Available to hire
I am a developmental editor with over 15 years experience specializing in crime fiction. I also have interest/experience in LGBTQIA+ and YA.
Adelé H.
Available to hire
I'm a certified BELS editor who specializes in science textbooks, with 10 years of editing experience at an education publishing company.
Conni F.
Available to hire
Editor-in-Chief guiding experts to confidently publish a book that builds their business & reputation.
Claire R.
Available to hire
Reliable and versatile proofreader and copy editor with a passion for all things Sci-Fi and Dickens.
Penny S.
Available to hire
Deputy Chief Editor then Director of the Oxford English Dictionary; 23 years at the OUP. Now editing texts for a varied range of authors.
How to find the right book editor
The first step to hiring an editor is determining which type(s) of editing your book requires. If you need advice on story and structure, you’re looking for a developmental editor. If you need someone to hone your prose, you’ll need a copy editor. And if the goal is to catch errors, a proofreader is your best bet. (Head down to our service definitions for more information.)
Wherever you are in the editing process, you’ll find the right expert on Reedsy. Our editors have worked with authors like Joyce Carol Oates, Suzanne Collins, and Phillip Pullman to make their stories sing.
Assemble your team
Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.
You’ll have the opportunity to send along pages and get sample edits before you finalize your decision — and with Reedsy's contract protection, you can start your collaboration with full confidence.
What to look for in an editor
A book editor is a publishing professional who helps authors improve their manuscripts. Generally, their services fall into four types of edits: an editorial assessment, a developmental edit, a copy edit, and a proofread. Each edit serves its own purpose, but the overarching goal across all of them is to make the story as compelling, error-free, and quality as possible for readers.
Once you know what type of edit you need, you can research and contact suitable editors. Your ideal editor:
- Has experience editing in your genre. Your editor should know exactly what your target audience will expect from your book.
- Aligns with your communication style. Are you looking for blunt honesty or a softer touch? Choose an editor whose sample edits make you feel inspired and excited.
- Can work with your timeline. Editors book up months in advance, so be sure to agree on the project's start and end date.
- Fits with your budget. Request multiple quotes to get a range of offers and choose the one that fits your project and budget best.
At Reedsy, we rigorously vet all our freelancers. For editors, we require a minimum of five years’ experience, ideally with a Big 5 publisher or as a freelancer for a bestselling client. We accept only the top 3% of applications and monitor their work and performance once they’re on our marketplace, ensuring quality control and client satisfaction. Find out more about how we select our professionals here!
Here’s what our authors had to say:
“My editor’s hybrid developmental-and-line edit exceeded my expectations and completely blew me away. He showed such deep understanding for my story that I was 100% confident in applying all of his edits.” – J.D. Bass
“Though I must have reread my manuscript hundreds of times, my copy editor caught over 10,000 minor errors! This just goes to show how easy it is to get too close to your book, and how important it is to hire an editor.” — Dhipa Lee
“After my collaboration, I know that my book is not only better than it was, it’s better than I could ever have made it on my own. Working with an editor taught me a number of incredibly valuable lessons about constructing a novel that I can incorporate into my future projects.” — Andrew Chamberlain
“I’m without a doubt that my book wouldn’t have been as successful if it hadn’t been for Reedsy or my editor. No one should consider publishing without professional editing.” — Paul Wilson
Book editing service definitions
People define the various types of editing differently. For our clarification and your convenience, here’s what we mean when we talk about developmental editing, copy editing, and more on Reedsy. Make sure you know what you’re looking for before reaching out to our editors! (If you’re really unsure, we’d recommend starting with an editorial assessment.)
Editorial Assessment
An editorial assessment is a manuscript review that provides feedback on the structure of your book, as well as its characterization, plot, pacing, and style. The main purpose of an editorial assessment is to give you a sense of your book’s overall strengths and weaknesses so you can pursue additional editing services if needed. Read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing takes a close look at the larger structures of your book: plot, characters, themes, and tone. A developmental editor ensures that these “big picture” elements are strong before you move on to the minutiae of each line. Read more
Copy Editing
Copy editing polishes your mechanics, sharpens your prose, and ensures consistency of style. This is the service you need if your story’s structure is solidly in place, but the text itself can be improved. Read more
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process: a thorough examination of your book that corrects minor spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. A proofreader does not give feedback on your structure or other major editorial issues but rather guarantees that your text goes to print (so to speak) without a single typo. Read more
Query Letter Review
While not part of your actual manuscript, a strong query letter is crucial for authors who want to land an agent and a traditional publisher. A query letter review analyzes your elevator pitch and the sample of your book that you’ll submit to agents, helping you make them irresistible. Read more
FAQs
How much does a book editor cost?
