Are you a writer in Chicago and have written a book you want to publish? Here is a list of book publishers in Illinois. You may want to make a submission to some of these.
If you still need to get your manuscript edited before you send your work to publishers or literary agents, one of the following 17 top book editors in Chicago might be able to help.
Note: Before choosing an editor to work with and parting with any money, always take your time and be sure you’re satisfied with the individual’s experience, background and editing approach.
1. Jeff Fleischer
Jeff Fleischer is a freelance book editor with more than fifteen years of writing and editing experience in the realm of journalism. He is currently based out of Chicago, and has written three separate books of his own. Some of the editing services that he provides includes book editing, proofreading, screenplay editing, children’s books editing, book proposal editing, and query letter drafting, and promotional marketing for independent authors.
His book editing service is incredibly thorough, providing detailed feedback about your manuscript. He is able to successfully identify and correct any issues he finds with grammar, style, consistency, and other issues. As a fellow writer, Jeff knows exactly what it takes to impress literary agents and potential publishing companies. If you’re interested in working with Jeff, you can contact him via his website’s online contact form to receive more information or for a free project quote.
2. Joanne Asala
Joanne Asala is the senior editor and co-owner of Compass Rose Horizons, an editing service based out of Chicago, Illinois. Joanne is a fellow published author with almost twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. She’s earned a BA in English from the University of Iowa, and has several editing certifications. The book editing services that she offers includes proofreading, comprehensive editing, ebook conversion and design, typesetting, book formatting, and transcriptions.
Joanne’s basic proofreading services begin at a rage of $2.95 per page (if electronically edited) and $3.25 per page (if editing a hard copy). Her deep editing rates begin at $10.00 per page (if electronically edited), and $12.00 per page (if editing a hard copy). For more information on her services and rates, you can visit her website. If you’re interested in working with Joanne, the best way to get in contact with her is via email. Be sure to specify the type of editing service you’re interested in, along with an approximate word count, so that Joanne can better provide you with an accurate project quote.
3. Tricia Parker
Tricia Parker is a freelance book editor who also owns and operates Tricia Parker Communications. She has worked on a variety of projects, including memoirs, biographies, and nonfiction titles about sports, art, travel, historical fiction, and more. As an official member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, Tricia also holds a BA in Journalism from George Washington University. Tricia offers free consultations to all her prospective clients.
The editing services that she offers to authors includes proofreading (starting at a rate of $0.015 to $0.02 per word), copyediting (starting at a rate of $0.025 to $0.035 per word), developmental editing (starting at $0.045 to $0.065 per word), heavy developmental editing $starting at $0.065 to $0.09 per word), manuscript critiques (at $2 per page), book proposal assistance (ranging between $60 to $100 per hour), query letter assistance (at $50 to $150 per letter), and general editing services like book indexing, composing back cover copy, and more (starting at $60 per hour). To get in touch with Tricia, you can contact her through her website’s online contact form or via email to get started.
4. Erin Wright
Erin Wright is a Chicago-based freelance editor and founder of Erin Wright Writing, an editing and writing service. She is an official member of both the Editorial Freelancers Association and the American Copy Editors Society. She’s earned a BA in English and a BA in Technical Communication from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. She specializes in editing business correspondence and nonfiction manuscripts.
The editing services that she offers includes copyediting, substantive editing, and manuscript proofreading. Erin loves to work projects about politics, spirituality, self-help books, historical accounts, and even memoirs. Since all manuscripts vary in length and subject matter, the best way to receive a project quote is by contacting Erin direction. If you’re interested in working with Erin, you can use her website’s online contact form or reach her via email.
5. Beaumont Hardy
Beaumont Hardy is a freelance editor who has worked on hundreds of fiction and nonfiction titles with authors just like you! He’s the founder of and operator of Beaumont Hardy Editing, an editing and writing service. He’s spent a number of years as an inhouse editor, and has picked up many useful editing skills that will help make your manuscript submission ready. Some of the editing services that he offers includes query letter editing, short story editing, autobiography and biography editing, academic text editing, novel editing, romance novel editing, editing for self-help books, and picture book editing.
He offers proofreading at a rate of $0.01 per word, copyediting for $0.0125 per word, and content editing for $0.015 per word. He charges a minimum fee of $30, and strongly encourages you to contact him if your manuscript is rather large so that he can accurately provide you with a project quote. If you’re interested in working with Beaumont, the best way to contact him is via his website’s online contact form. Be sure to let him know that Writing Tips Oasis sent you his way!
6. Jill Welsh
Jill Welsh is a freelance editor and writer based out of Chicago, Illinois. She is also the founder and senior editor of JWelsh Editorial and Writing Coaching. She’s worked with a ton of authors on a multitude of projects, including books like “Tethered Through Time” by Bridgette Gallagher, “The Patriarch Rising” by Aaron Malavolti, and “22:10: Part I: The Crooked Chain of Ghosts” by Mitch Robinson.
Jill offers services like manuscript critiques, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. If you’re interested in working with Jill, the best way to get in contact with her is through her website’s online contact form. Be sure to provide your contact information, a brief summary of your manuscript, and provide an approximate word count so that she can return to you an accurate project quote.
7. Jennifer Huston
Jennifer Huston is a Chicago-based freelance editor and founder of White Dog Editorial Services. With over sixteen years of editing experience, three of which she has spent as a freelancer. She has worked on projects like “Pilots in Peril!” by Steven Otfinoski, “For the love of the Chicago Cubs’ by Lew Freedman and Marty Strasen, and “Sailing to Freedom” by Jessica Gunderson. For an extensive look at her editorial resume, click here.
She has developed and honed her skills as a talented editor and offers a wide range of services, including developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, indexing, and Americanizing manuscripts (correcting British English to American English). For a project quote, it’s best to contact Jennifer directly. You can send her a representative sample of your manuscript (roughly 1000 words) for a free sample edit to give you a sense of her capability and editing style. You can reach Jennifer either by telephone, her website’s online contact form, or via email.
8. Lauren Duensing
Lauren Duensing is a Chicago-based freelance editor and writer who has worked on a number of nonfiction and technological articles. She has nearly ten years of experience as a trade publication editor and has a great deal of experience as a technical writer. Services that she offers her clients include copywriting and proofreading. As an official member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, Lauren is also a certified editor with ACES. The best way to reach her is via telephone. For more information, you can visit her about me page on her website.
9. Ritta M. Basu
Ritta Basu is a freelance writer, editor, and content development specialist who has worked for several clients who partner with Fortune 500 companies. She edits an array of different styles of work, including articles and blogs, ebooks, book editing, memoirs, and more. She is a strong copyeditor and writer, offers writer coaching, is able to assist with editorial project management, book editing for independent writers, and memoir assistance. Ritta has worked on projects like “Reporting Live from the Laundry Pile” by Gwen Rockwood, and “Wait ‘Til You Hear What I Heard” by Jan Hixson.
If you’re interested in working with Ritta, or are looking for more information, you can contact her via email. Be sure to request a quote for your project, as rates vary depending on subject matter and length of the manuscript. Make sure to include a brief author bio and your contact information so that she can reach out to you promptly.
10. Kandy Hopkins
Kandy Hopkins is a talented and experienced freelance book editor based out of Chicago. She also happens to run Word Geek Co., and editing and writing service. She offers proofreading, copy editing, and substantive copyediting. Kandy prefers to work on nonfiction books, as she has more experience editing peer-reviewed journals and academic texts, and therefore feels more comfortable dealing with nonfiction titles. For a comprehensive look at her work history, you can view her editorial resume here. You can also review a list of the service packages that she offers here.
If you’re interested in working with Kandy, you can contact her via email to ask for more information or request a free project quote. Since all manuscripts vary in subject matter, length, and requiring different types of editing, it’s best to contact Kandy directly for a more accurate price. Be sure to provide a few project details, such as approximate word count and synopsis.
11. Amy Spungen
Amy Spungen is a freelance editor and founder of Amy Spungen Editing & Writing Services, based out of Chicago. Amy has nearly thirty years of experience in the publishing industry and has experience editing everything from block articles to memoirs. Services that she offers includes manuscript evaluations (starting at $80), developmental editing (which costs $80), substantive editing (starting at $80), copyediting services (priced at $70), and proofreading (also starting at $70).
If you’re interested in working with Amy, you can contact her via email or give her a call to start a free initial consultation. You’ll discuss the details of your project and can request a more accurate project quote, which can vary depending on subject matter and manuscript length. For more information, you can review her services on her website.
12. Lyric Taylor
Lyric Taylor is the founder and editor of Lyric Taylor Edits, a professional editing service. Lyric specializes in editing memoirs, autobiographies, and creative nonfiction essays. Based in the Chicago area, Lyric is an official member of both ACES and the Editorial Freelancers Association. She works primarily on digital manuscript copies so that she can take advantage of the easy and simple Microsoft Word track changes and comments.
Editing services that she offers includes line editing (starting at $0.02 per word), copyediting (starting at a rate of $0.02 per word), proofreading (at a rate of $0.01 per word), and beta reading (at a starting rate of $0.50 per word, for a minimum of 250 words). If you’re interested in working with Lyric, you can contact her via email or through her website’s online contact form. Be sure to indicate the type of service you’re interested in, as well as provide an approximate word count, you contact information, and an estimated deadline (if any).
13. Laurie Eby
Laurie Eby is a freelance editor and writer, as well as the founder and senior editor of Silver Moon Editing. She loves to work on a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction genres, including fantasy fiction, chick lit, erotica, young adult, romance, books about sports, travel, self-help, and much more! Laurie holds an MA in Public Administration, a BA in Political Science, and a BA in Legal Studies.
Services that she offers includes copyediting, line editing, developmental editing, manuscript critiques, proofreading, and indexing. For more information about her rates, you can review her packages and services in detail on her website. Every manuscript requires a different amount of attention, so be sure to check out the types of editing that she offers. If you’re interested in working with Laurie, you can reach out to her via email or through her website’s online contact form.
14. Vesela Simic
With over nineteen years of experience, nine of which she has spent as a freelance editor, Vesela Simic is a talented book editor and writer who’s ready to help all the aspiring writers out there! She’s edited books like “Walking Each Other Home” by Ram Dass & Mirabai Bush, “Getting Grit” by Caroline Adams Miller, and “Thing That Join The Sea and The Sky” by Mark Nepo. The editing services that she provides writers includes editorial reviews, developmental editing, substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading. To reach out for more information or a free project quote, you can contact Vesela via email.
15. Janina R. Williams
Janina Williams is a freelance writer and book editor based out of Chicago, Illinois who specializes in developmental editing. Janina herself is an author of two children’s books, so she knows exactly what it takes to impress potential literary agents and publishers. Services that she offers includes developmental editing for manuscripts up to 90,000 words or less for a flat fee of $450, manuscript critiques for a flat fee of $250, copyediting at a rate of $50 per hour, and proofreading at a rate of $35 per hour. If you’re interested in working with Janina, you can contact her via email with more information about your project.
16. Susan Barnes
Susan Barnes is a Chicago-based freelance editor who has extensive experience editing fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, romance, and commercial genre fiction. As a proud and official member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, Susan boasts about seven years of inhouse editing experience. She offers a wide range of editing services, including query letter critiques, three-chapter critiques, synopsis reviews, query package writing and editing, line editing, developmental editing, and several all-inclusive editing packages.
If you’re interested in working with Susan, you can contact her via her website’s online contact form. Be sure to indicate the type of service you’re interested in, along with your contact information and potential deadline (if any). Susan should get back to you promptly to assist you in your publishing journey.
17. Chris Hall
Chris Hall is a Chicago-based freelance editor who has editing accreditation through Poynter University and is an official member of the American Copy Editors group. She has worked on a number of romance projects such as “The Second Wife” by Kishan Paul, “Fall Into Darkness” by Valerie Twombly, and “My Highlander Husband” by Nancy Pennick. She has previous experience as an inhouse editor with publishing company Meerkat Press and Melange Books, LLC.
She currently has a freelancing profile up on Reedsy where she advertises her services of developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter reviewing. She’s capable of working on a wide variety of different genres, including nonfiction biographies, memoirs, and self-help books. If you’re interested in working with Chris, you can contact her directly through her Reedsy profile to request a project quote.
Are there any other book editors in Chicago that need to be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.