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Are you an author who is self-publishing your book? Have you got to the stage where you need an editor? Weโve 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 Reesโs 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 childrenโs non-fiction, middle-grade fiction and novels for young adults. Sheโs worked with clients who publish through traditional publishers, as well as those who opt for self-publishing. Jennifer Rees has edited books like โExplorer Academyโ by Trudi Trueit, โThe Hunger Games Trilogyโ and โThe 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 โR for Revengeโ by Francine Pascal, โCatherine Lescaultโ by Walter Idlewild, and โBernieโs 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 Robertsโs 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, womenโs fiction, and young adult fantasy. Her portfolio includes โStill Missingโ, โThose Girlsโ and โNever 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. Heโs 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 โHop Alleyโ by Scott Phillips, โThe Joy of Killingโ by Harry MacLean, and โThe 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. Heโs 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 โThe Coelho Medallionโ and โThe Girl in the Mayan Tombโ by Kevin Tumlinson, and โThe 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 Haleyโs 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 โOutlaws of Timeโ by N.D. Wilson, โAlvin Baylor Lives!โ by Maximilian Gray, and โLong 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 LeeAnnโs 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 โStages of Blueโ by Kayla Jeswald, โThe Messiahโs Customary Diner Boothโ by Marian Deal, and โThe 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 Womenโs 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 womenโs fiction. For a better idea of Shelly Davisโ editing, look at โTo Cook a Fearโ by Mikael Niemi, โThe Choice is Yoursโ by Barbara Dahlgren, and โMiss 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. Sheโs 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 โFrozen Detectiveโ and โDead-End Detectiveโ by Amanda Flower, and โChristian Charmsโ by Teri Wilson.
Start a conversation with Jen Boles.

