Please note: This article contains affiliate links to Reedsy. That means Writing Tips Oasis receive a small % of the sale if you hire the services of any of the following editors, or another professional on Reedsy, but at no extra cost to you.
If you’ve written a novel and want one of the best fiction book editors to edit it, below we’ve featured 21 for your perusal.
1. Caroline Acebo
With more than a decade of experience in the book industry, Caroline Acebo is ready to take on written works in need of refining. Located in New York, New York, she earned her master’s degree in publishing from Pace University and continues to apply the same skills she did when she was part of Grand Central Publishing and Harlequin.
Caroline conducts editorial assessments, developmental editing, and copy editing on several genres in fiction. These include urban fantasy, new adult, and subcategories of romance fiction such as romcoms and paranormal romance.
A couple of titles she edited are Michelle Manus’s Siren’s Song: An Aspect Society Novel and Jacquelyn Benson’s historical adventure fiction called The Smoke Hunter.
Feel free to request a quote to have your manuscript edited in no time.
2. Erin Young
Los Angeles, California, is home to a multi-talented professional. Erin Young is not just a literary agent and scribe but also a superb independent editor. Combine these with her master’s degree in creative writing, and it’s no wonder why Erin has a distinct eye for good storytelling and book marketability.
Erin can edit fiction and nonfiction alike. In particular, some of her preferred genres in fiction are fantasy (including YA and middle-grade variations), romance, women’s fiction, and literary fiction. For these, she can provide editorial assessments, copy editing, proofreading, and developmental editing services.
From N. H. Senzai’s historical fiction Ticket to India to Zac Brewer’s YA mystery horror The Blood Between Us, Erin’s portfolio of edited books never ceases to amaze.
Many acclaimed and best-selling authors can attest to Erin’s invaluable contributions as an editor. If you want to work with her as well, you can contact her here.
3. Caroline Macon Fleischer
Do you love independent publishing houses? What about literary fiction? If so, you will definitely like having Caroline Macon Fleischer as your editor.
With a master’s degree in writing and publishing and numerous writing accolades, this Chicago-based editor knows exactly what writers need to be better.
Caroline was an editor for Curbside Splendor Publishing before becoming a freelancer in 2019. She loves tackling women’s fiction, short stories, and women’s fiction. Likewise, genre-bending works and unlikely plot outlines grab her attention.
Her editing services range from copy editing to proofreading and developmental editing. Her work on Anthony Michael Morena’s space-science literary fiction The Voyager Record: A Transmission is great — and the same can be said for Vanessa Blakeslee’s Juventud.
For more details about Caroline’s editing service, request a quote.
4. Christina Mandelski
Fiction writers in Houston, Texas, know that they can always rely on Christina Mandelski for manuscript critiques. She’s a traditionally published author herself, so she’s received ample feedback from editors too. And for nearly 20 years, Christina’s returned the favor, offering editing services to aspiring writers.
Even though Christina’s found the most success as a YA novelist, she can edit adult fiction as well. This is because she can review the key aspects of storytelling from pacing to character growth. Even if her fave genre is romance, Christina can capably check women’s fiction, coming-of-age fiction, and contemporary fiction.
Christina delivers amazing editorial assessments and developmental editing. These are apparent in both Lynne Kelly’s Song for a Whale and Joy Preble’s thrilling It Wasn’t Always Like This.
You can conveniently contact Christina online if you’d like to work with her.
5. Kelly Lydick
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Kelly Lydick was an editor at Perseus Books Group for six years and even became the co-founding editor of Immanence Journal. Today, she’s the owner of The Story Laboratory, which provides everything from editing to consulting.
Kelly provides concise yet impactful critiques. But if her client wishes, she can elaborate her suggestions. Apart from editorial assessments, she conducts developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
Romance, mystery, and crime fiction are her strengths in fiction editing. One amazing mystery romance novel she edited is Jackie Ullerich’s Sabbatical In The Sun.
Interested authors can request a quote from Kelly with ease.
6. Larissa Melo Pienkowski
Similar to Erin Young, Larissa Melo Pienkowski is both an editor and literary agent — and this combo is never a bad thing for authors seeking creative assistance. She took up a master’s degree in publishing and writing at Emerson College and has been an editor for Hub City Press and Tessera Editorial.
This editor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a cut above the rest. Apart from the usual developmental editing, proofreading, and copy editing, she offers sensitivity reading services to ensure that stories do not discriminate or misrepresent cultures or identities.
Some of her preferred genres in fiction are magical realism, LGBTQ fiction, YA fiction, and literary fiction. She edited not only SJ Sindu’s acclaimed Blue-Skinned Gods but also Everina Maxwell’s best-selling space opera Winter’s Orbit.
Message Larissa online for a thorough review of your novel.
7. Annie Bomke
Not to be outdone by other editors with literary agenting experience, Annie Bomke boasts more than 17 years of relevant experience. She was an editorial assistant for Zoetrope: All-Story and has always done editing services alongside her agenting duties.
Based in San Diego, California, Annie can handle a ton of fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. She’ll edit literary fiction, YA fiction, women’s fiction, thrillers, and psychological horror, among others.
In particular, her services include editorial assessments, copy editing, and developmental editing. Annie recently worked on Edward A. Farmer’s Pale: A Novel and Audrey Keown’s Murder at Hotel 1911: An Ivy Nichols Mystery.
Are you ready to take your fiction writing to the next level? If so, ask Annie for her service rates.
8. Sophia Dembling
Sophia Dembling was a writer for more than 20 years before she switched to freelance editing in 2011. Thus, this professional editor from Dallas, Texas, can proficiently check whether a story is good or not without being controlling toward her client.
Her services range from proofreading to copy editing and developmental editing. And many of these relevant skills in the book industry were honed from her stay at St. Martin’s Press.
Some of the genres she’s comfortable with are romance, contemporary fiction, and women’s fiction. A couple of books in her editing portfolio are Meryl Davids Landau’s psychological fiction Downward Dog, Upward Fog and Kathleen Rooney’s Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: A Novel.
Request a quote from Jain for more information.
9. P. J. Hoover
Originally, P. J. Hoover’s career path was in the field of electrical engineering. But in 2004, she decided to pursue writing. Since then, she’s been an acclaimed writer of books for children and adults alike — and she’s ready to help aspiring authors as an independent editor.
Based in Austin, Texas, P. J. wants stories to reach their best possible version so that they can genuinely connect with their readers. Thanks to her developmental editing and editorial assessments, books like Kim Baccellia’s YA adventure novel No More Goddesses and Beth Revis’s best-selling Across the Universe continue to find new fans.
Apart from adventure and YA fiction, P. J. also edits dystopian novels, time travel fiction, middle-grade fantasy, and post-apocalyptic stories.
You can ask about this veteran editor’s availability and services here.
10. Jessica Hatch
Jessica Hatch has been an independent editor since 2013 who utilizes her learnings and experience from St. Martin’s Press, Fox Literary, and Writers House. And while she lives in Jacksonville, Florida, Jessica will eagerly work with authors from around the world.
Her services are proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing. Previous clients praise her warm personality, detailed assessments, and collaborative approach. Furthermore, her chosen genres in fiction are women’s fiction, historical fiction, and LGBTQ fiction.
Speaking of historical fiction, Jessica edited the award-winning book titled The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli. Similarly, she worked on the humorous fiction called Come Dancing by Leslie Wells.
Send Jessica a quotation request online.
11. Tiffany Tyer
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Tiffany Tyer worked at big publishing companies such as Penguin Random House and Macmillan Publishers before becoming an independent editor in 2015. As for her education, she went to UC Berkeley and took up Professional Sequence in Editing.
Tiffany looks at manuscripts from a reader’s point of view before judging them as an editor. For her, books should be technically and creatively proficient while also appealing to their intended audience.
Writers may request copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, and editorial assessments.
Her specialty is romance fiction and covers subgenres like historical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic comedies. Some of the excellent romance novels she edited are Lauren Blakely’s Birthday Suit and Stacy Wise’s Maybe Someone Like You.
To get started, ask Tiffany about her editing rates.
12. Alex Thomas
Alex Thomas is a traditionally published author who recognizes the challenges of writers whether they’re exploring the independent or traditional side of the book industry.
Based in Columbus, Ohio, he works as a freelance editor and has established a long working relationship with companies like Kyanite Publishing and Green Ronin Publishing.
He likes to edit adult genre fiction, but he doesn’t mind YA novels as well. Furthermore, Alex is a big fan of fantasy and sci-fi. In other words, he’s the go-to editor for writers of space operas, superhero fiction, and urban fantasy.
Developmental editing and editorial assessments are his key services. A couple of works in his portfolio are Aisha Tritle’s Life2 and Fractured Ever After: A Collection of Fairy Tale Retellings by Heather Hayden, Allie May, and many other authors.
Alex highly recommends authors book their services in advance to avoid any hiccups.
13. Constance Renfrow
Constance lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has edited at least 75 books for publication during her time at Skyhorse Publishing and Three Rooms Press. Unsurprisingly, this tenacious editor is also a great writer herself, having written the award-winning short story The Urg.
While she has experience in editing nonfiction works like cookbooks and memoirs, Constance is in her A-game when it comes to fiction. She’s one of the best editors of literary fiction, speculative fiction, and YA novels.
Also, she’s the editor of Meagan Brothers’ acclaimed Weird Girl and What’s His Name and Michael T. Fournier’s Swing State: A Novel. Writers can ask Constance for her proofreading, editorial assessments, developmental editing, and copy-editing services.
Constance is available for contact here.
14. Avalon Radys
You can’t go wrong with this San Francisco-based fiction book editor. Avalon Radys has at least a decade of incomparable experience in the publishing industry. She was Umano’s editor-in-chief for three years. And currently, Avalon has a well-deserved directorial position in the editing and publishing department of the acclaimed indie company Inkshares.
Nonfiction and fiction writers alike seek Avalon’s highly informative editorial services like copy editing and developmental editing. In particular, writers of romantic comedies, thrillers, horror, and suspense fiction can vouch for her skills.
Of course, Avalon is open to other fiction genres like YA fiction, sci-fi, and literary fiction. Zachary Tyler Linville’s well-received Welcome to Deadland and J-F. Dubeau’s A God in the Shed are just two books in her editing portfolio.
For her editing services, you can request a quote from Avalon.
15. Skye Loyd
Skye Loyd is a proud resident of Seattle, Washington, who boasts at least two decades of professional copyediting experience. She’s adept at editing books and scholarly articles alike, which explains why exemplary publishers of scientific material like SAGE Publishing and Wiley have sought her assistance.
Furthermore, Skye is part of the Editorial Freelancers Association. Even if she’s used to nonfiction, she admits that fiction is wonderful to work on because she loves analyzing the characters and how their lines are written.
Apart from copyediting, Skye performs editorial assessments, proofreading, and developmental editing. Two novels she helped prepare for publication are Emmett Hall’s historical fiction Runaway and Paul A. Broome’s Girls Who Don’t Believe.
Message Skye online for more inquiries about her editing expertise.
16. Elizabeth Copps
With prestigious memberships in the Association of Authors’ Representatives and Editorial Freelancers Association, Elizabeth Copps has got you covered. She’s both an editor and literary agent who can guide writers toward the path of traditional publishing or indie publishing.
Located in Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth is proficient in both nonfiction and fiction editing. Whether it’s adult, YA, or middle-grade fiction, she’ll see to it that her developmental edits are unparalleled — and her analysis of synopses is nothing to scoff at either.
Elizabeth is well-versed in editing genres like horror, literary fiction, women’s fiction, suspense, and contemporary fiction. Check Andy Davidson’s gothic fiction The Boatman’s Daughter and Roxanne Veletzos’s The Girl They Left Behind to witness the genius of her edits.
No matter your editing worries, Elizabeth will surely fix them once you avail of her services.
17. Laura Chasen
Laura Chasen honed her editing skills at St. Martin’s Press for more than five years. Now, this editor from Washington, DC, continues to help newbie writers.
With her extensive work experience and educational background (a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University), Laura can surely help you reach your goals and build relations with renowned agencies and publishing companies.
Clients prefer her because she ensures a dynamic and mutual working relationship. Laura also provides awesome feedback in all sorts of fiction genres like historical fiction, literary fiction, and YA fiction. You’ll never feel creatively astray with her developmental edits and assessments around.
Laura previously worked on Ros Barber’s award-winning novel Marlowe Papers and Shari Goldhagen’s In Some Other World, Maybe: A Novel.
Inquire about Laura’s editing service rates here.
18. Ashley Strosnider
Equipped with a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of South Carolina, this editor from Nashville, Tennessee, is highly in demand. Ashley Strosnider has over 10 years of experience in editing and was part of reputable companies like Publishers Weekly and Milkweed Editions.
What sets her apart from others is her passion for encouraging and proactive editing. She doesn’t act arrogant and all-knowing. Instead, Ashley strives to be a cooperative force for authors — and you can observe this in her detailed proofreading and exceptional developmental edits.
Furthermore, Ashley is intrigued by fiction genres like romance, women’s fiction, short stories, literary fiction, and mysteries with an amusingly calm vibe. A couple of literary works in her portfolio are Kim Hooper’s Tiny and Helen J. Darling’s Terms and Conditions.
The fees and time required to edit fiction writing depend on the work itself. Thus, you should contact Ashley to get a quote.
19. Rebecca Heyman
Rebecca Heyman has been in the industry since 2009. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, she holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English literature from New York University. In addition, Rebecca is the creator of a yearly writing event in New York City known as The Work Conference.
She’s not that keen on editing space operas, horror, and the like. On the other hand, Rebecca’s interested in the assessment and developmental editing of literary sci-fi, YA fantasy, women’s fiction, and historical fiction.
Likewise, this editor wants to work on stories that beautifully and insightfully highlight mental health and minorities vis-a-vis the writer’s experiences. Rebecca helped polish Robert Beatty’s best-selling Serafina and the Black Cloak and Corabel Shofner’s Almost Paradise.
Request a quote from Rebecca for top-notch and no-frills editing.
20. Steve Anderson
Portland, Oregon, is the home of Steve Anderson. Thanks to his deep interest in German history, he also stayed in Germany. In fact, Fulbright and Kunststiftung NRW even granted him a fellowship grant and a stipend award, respectively.
Today, Steve is an established editor, published storyteller, and dependable translator. His interests in fiction writing are contemporary fiction, action & adventure, psychological thrillers, and espionage, to name a few.
Steve’s general services are copy editing and developmental editing. He worked with Chad Thumann on the coming-of-age historical novel titled The Undesirables.
His clients include Amazon Publishing and Skyhorse Publishing — and you can also be one. Steve will gladly work on your novel. To begin, you should inquire about his editing services.
21. Oksana Marafioti
Oksana Marafioti is a top-tier figure in the book industry. From her master’s degree in creative writing to her acclaimed nonfiction title American Gypsy: A Memoir, she’s someone any aspiring author would love to know more about.
Now, this Las Vegas-based teacher and scribe is also a professional editor who loves a good challenge. If you find yourself struggling to write or review your own work, ask for her help. Oksana’s developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading are magnificent.
She teaches English and literature, so her fiction interests are bountiful and varied: romance, YA, urban fantasy, literary fiction, short stories, and cultural & ethnic fiction.
From Ana Mara’s paranormal romance Donatti’s Lunatics to the short story collection The Perpetual Engine of Hope (written by several authors), Oksana always has a clear grasp of the writer’s voice and intention in their storytelling.
Oksana’s editing prowess is unlike any other. Be sure to book her services as soon as possible.