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Writing Tips Oasis

Writing Tips Oasis - A website dedicated to helping writers to write and publish books.

10 Top Book Editors for Indie Authors

By Kevin Chan

book editors for indie authors

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.

Are you an author who is self-publishing your book? Have you got to the stage where you need an editor? Weโ€™ve featured 10 top book editors for indie authors below for your review.

 

1. Jennifer Rees

Jennifer Rees is a professional freelance book editor located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the US. She is proficient in working on books written in American, Canadian and British English. Her editing services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading and query letter review.

In addition to Jennifer Reesโ€™s experience as a freelance book editor, she has 13 years of experience working as an editor for Scholastic Inc. Since 2011, she has specialized as an editor of childrenโ€™s non-fiction, middle-grade fiction and novels for young adults. Sheโ€™s worked with clients who publish through traditional publishers, as well as those who opt for self-publishing. Jennifer Rees has edited books like โ€œExplorer Academyโ€ by Trudi Trueit, โ€œThe Hunger Games Trilogyโ€ and โ€œThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesโ€ by Suzanne Collins

Contact Jennifer Rees!

 

2. Gene Hult

Located in Houston, Texas, Gene Hult is an experienced book editor who has experience doing editing and writing layout for writers looking to self-publish. His professional experience includes editing for Denver Quarterly, Daniel Weiss Associates, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster, among other organizations. Gene Hult has worked as a freelance editor since 1997.

Writers can rely on Gene Hult for developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading, for fiction novels including comics, fantasy novels, LGBTQ fiction, literary fiction and science fiction. His edits include โ€œR for Revengeโ€ by Francine Pascal, โ€œCatherine Lescaultโ€ by Walter Idlewild, and โ€œBernieโ€™s Best Jokesโ€ by J.E. Bright.

Take a look at what else Gene Hult can do for you.

 

3. Lauren Alexander

Indie authors can speak to Lauren Alexander for editing support on their next book. A freelance book editor situated in Seattle, Washington State, Lauren Alexander can provide copy editing and proofreading for independent writers. Lauren holds a certificate in editing from the University of Washington and has proficiency in working on books written in American English.

Lauren Alexander is able to edit books written in a wide range of genres, from coming of age and new adult fiction to non-fiction books about atheism, biography, health and self-help. Lauren has provided freelance editing services since 2021 and has worked with both indie authors and publishing organizations.

Connect with Lauren Alexander today.

 

4. Shannon Roberts

Shannon Roberts is a professional self-employed book editor with proficiency in editing books written in British and American English. She is able to work with writers interested in publishing their books through traditional publication, as well as indie authors interested in self-publishing. Shannon Robertsโ€™s editing services include developmental editing, editorial assessment and query letter review.

Shannon Roberts has over 14 years of experience working as a freelance book editor. She specializes in fiction books, in genres like action, epic fantasy, literary fiction, mystery, science fiction, womenโ€™s fiction, and young adult fantasy. Her portfolio includes โ€œStill Missingโ€, โ€œThose Girlsโ€ and โ€œNever Knowingโ€ by Chevy Stevens.

Learn more about Shannon Roberts!

 

5. Ryan Quinn

Based in Los Angeles, California, in the United States, Ryan Quinn is an experienced independent book editor who can deliver copy editing and proofreading for writers working in American English. Heโ€™s been a freelance editor since 2010 and has worked with writers working through a traditional publisher, as well as indie writers aiming to self-publish.

In addition to his years of working freelance, Ryan Quinn has also edited for companies like Phoenix Books, Penguin Group USA and Deutsch LA. Ryan Quinn has edited everything from non-fiction books about history and political science to literary fiction, science fiction and novels for young adults. His edits include books like โ€œHop Alleyโ€ by Scott Phillips, โ€œThe Joy of Killingโ€ by Harry MacLean, and โ€œThe Age of Consequencesโ€ by Courtney White.

Speak to Ryan Quinn.

 

6. Ray Braun

Ray Braun is a professional book editor who works out of his location in Michigan, in the United States. Heโ€™s able to provide editorial support in the form of copy editing and proofreading to books in British and American English. He can edit non-fiction books about geography, historical fiction, historical mysteries and thrillers.

Ray has experience editing for larger publishing organizations, as well as for indie authors looking to pursue alternative routes to publications, including self-publishing. Look at some of his previous edits like โ€œThe Coelho Medallionโ€ and โ€œThe Girl in the Mayan Tombโ€ by Kevin Tumlinson, and โ€œThe Aryan Agendaโ€ by Nick Thacker.

Check out what else Ray Braun can do for your book.

 

7. Carolyn Haley

Located in Rutland, Vermont, in the United States, Carolyn Haley is a professional self-employed editor. She has an undergraduate degree in English and communications, as well as certification from Fairfield University in copyediting and proofreading. Writers considering traditional publishing and indie authors who are considering self-publishing should both consider working with Carolyn Haley.

Carolyn Haleyโ€™s editing services include query letter review, copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessment. She can work on fiction books about action, fantasy, and romance, as well as historical fiction, science fiction, and thriller. Her edits include โ€œOutlaws of Timeโ€ by N.D. Wilson, โ€œAlvin Baylor Lives!โ€ by Maximilian Gray, and โ€œLong May She Reignโ€ by Rhiannon Thomas.

Rely on Carolyn Haley for your next work in progress.

 

8. Robin LeeAnn

Located in Dallas, Texas, Robin LeeAnn is a professional independent editor with experience editing for writers who are looking to publish through traditional companies as well as those thinking of self-publishing. She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and ACES: the Society for Editing.

Robin LeeAnnโ€™s editing services include copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading and query letter review for fiction novels on urban fantasy, gaming, dystopian novels and young adult fantasy. Her editing can be seen in books like โ€œStages of Blueโ€ by Kayla Jeswald, โ€œThe Messiahโ€™s Customary Diner Boothโ€ by Marian Deal, and โ€œThe Omnipotent Sorcererโ€ by Roger Aplon.

Go with Robin LeeAnn for your next work in progress.

 

9. Shelly Davis

Located in San Jose, California, in the United States, Shelly Davis is an experience self-employed book editor who has experience working with some of the major publishing houses as well as independent authors. Shelly Davis is a certified member of Womenโ€™s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and the Association of Independent Publishing Professionals (AIPP).

Shelly Davis can provide developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment and proofreading for writers working on historical fiction or womenโ€™s fiction. For a better idea of Shelly Davisโ€™ editing, look at โ€œTo Cook a Fearโ€ by Mikael Niemi, โ€œThe Choice is Yoursโ€ by Barbara Dahlgren, and โ€œMiss Julia Knows a Thing or Twoโ€ by Ann B. Rose.

Let Shelly Davis support you with your work in progress!

 

10. Jen Boles

Bringing experience from her other work as an attorney and an author to her editing, Jen Boles is a professional book editor who has worked with indie authors for more than eight years. Sheโ€™s proficient in working on books written in American English and can do developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

Jen Boles is able to fiction books like contemporary romance, cozy mysteries, paranormal romance and young adult fantasy. Some of Jen Bolesโ€™ editing can be seen in books like โ€œFrozen Detectiveโ€ and โ€œDead-End Detectiveโ€ by Amanda Flower, and โ€œChristian Charmsโ€ by Teri Wilson.

Start a conversation with Jen Boles.

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