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If you’re an author in Florida, you have people and organizations that can help you get published such as these literary agents and book publishing companies.
However, before you send your manuscript to a book agent or publisher, make sure it has been edited to a high level.
There are a number of editing services available across the state such as those offered by the following 19 top book editors in Florida.
Note: Always do ample diligence when selecting a book editor and find out all you can about the individual’s/organization’s experience including any of those below.
1. Kari Barlow
Working out of Pensacola, Florida, Kari Barlow is a professional editor and writer specializing in non-fiction, from biographies and memoirs to books on business, management, computers, health, and even educational resources. She’s been working in her capacity as a freelance editor and writer since 2004, providing writers with proofreading and copy-editing services, and has over 17 years of experience in the industry.
Kari brings the experience of someone who understands the publishing industry from both sides of the equation. Alongside her own editing and writing business, she is also employed at Igniting Souls Publishing Agency as a developmental book editor and AAA Living Magazine as a writer. Her editing portfolio includes Terri L. Sjodin’s “Small Message, Big Impact: The Elevator Speech Effect” and “Educational Eye Exam: Creating Your Vision for Education” by Alicia Ray and Dave Burgess.
Speak to Kari Barlow today!
2. Arthur Jay Harris
After a successful career as a print journalist, Arthur Jay Harris found his second calling as a true crime author and book editor. For the last 28 years, the Fort Lauderdale-based editor has been self-employed, running a business to provide the professional sort of support that only a former reporter can offer.
Arthur offers his skills as a proofreader and copy editor to writers. His professional areas of interest range from non-fiction biographies, history, and true crime, to fiction genres like humor, comedy, and mystery. For interested parties who’d like to check out his own level of writing prowess, they might be interested in some of his books, including “Speed Kills: Who killed the Cigarette Boat King, the fastest man on the seas” or “MUD: The Dirtiest Political Campaign. Ever. A Satire”.
Check out all about Arthur Jay Harris here.
3. Adria Carey
Adria Carey has been a professor of writing at the Florida Institute of Technology for over ten years. Alongside this day job, she’s also a self-employed writer and editor. She supports writers through this side-business with quality proofreading, copy editing, editorial assessments, and developmental editing.
Adria focuses on non-fiction topics of writing, including travel, biographies, nature and science, education, as well as parenting, and children’s non-fiction. She’s been responsible for contributing to C. Daniel Prather’s “General Aviation Marketing and Management: Operating, Marketing and Managing an FBO,” as well as “The Economics of Production” by Bruce R. Beattie et al.
Start a conversation with Adria Carey to learn more.
4. Carol Gaskin
Sarasota, Florida’s Carol Gaskin has over two decades of experience as an editor, producer, writer, and independent business owner. Carol’s editing business will provide authors with developmental and copy editing support, as well as clear guidelines and feedback.
Authors will benefit from receiving professional advice from Carol, an accomplished writer who has years of experience working in the publishing world. She focuses on both fiction and non-fiction, including young adult, historical fiction, or fantasy novels, like “STORYTELLER” by Edward Myers, and non-fiction psychology and children’s non-fiction like “Teaching Stories and Activities for Youth,” by Rabbi Emily Lipof.
Go to Carol Gaskin and see what she can do to help your work in progress!
5. Susan Edwards
With over 30 years of editing experience in both fiction and non-fiction, Susan Edwards has been a boon for many writers with her experienced eyes and insight. She offers copy editing and developmental editing for books in genres ranging from architecture, art, relationships, and other non-fiction topics, as well as humor, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and other categories of fiction.
Susan has held numerous editing positions, including stints at Tampa Tribune, Weekly Planet, and EC for Books. Currently operating out of Tampa, Florida, she works primarily as a self-employed editor and writer and has edited written works like “The Study Monkey” by Rodney Romig, “A Dark Path To Light” by Alex Broches, and S.A. Cary’s “The Earthen.”
Check out more of what Susan Edwards has accomplished throughout her successful career!
6. Laura Paquette
Specializing in editing non-fiction books from genres like business, management, cooking, education, and history, Laura Paquette is a professional editor that will provide a valuable impartial voice of reason to any writer’s process. From Winter Park, Florida, she has expertise in copy and developmental editing and proofreading from years of professional experience and her post-graduate degree in writing and publishing.
Along with professional experience as managing editor for Cambridge Editors, copy editing for Brill Press New Asian Acquisitions, and developing marketing content for the Pohly Company, Laura has also continued to grow her own business as an independent editor. She’s edited Guy R. Powell’s “Marketing Calculator,” Richard Michael Gibson’s “The Secret Army,” and “Correction of Drift: A Novel in Stories” by Pamela Ryder.
Learn more about Laura Paquette’s editing skillset and process here.
7. Michelle Schacht
Since 2010, Michelle Schacht has been working as a professional editor and writer. Based in Orlando, Florida, her writing business offers editing services like developmental editing and copy editing, query letter review, for writers of Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, books on parenting, family, and self-improvement.
Having worked at Xulon Press Publishing as editing manager and The Ghost Publishing as managing editor, Michelle is able to deliver relevant advice to aspiring writers based on real experience accrued from years of working in the industry. Published works that she’s been involved with include “Faithful Families: Instilling Spirituality in Your Family” by Dr. John Maples, “My Doctors Can See You Now” by Minnie Boyer Woodruff, and “The Ghost of Alloway” by Rosemary Weis.
Connect to learn more about Michelle Schacht and her editing services.
8. Dawn Davies
Award-winning author Dawn Davies is a self-employed editor and writer with over 18 years of experience. Dawn avails her professional support of proofreading and copy-editing to specifically two categories of books: non-fiction biographies and contemporary fiction. Local to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dawn won the Great Lakes Colleges Associated Book Award for Non-fiction and Florida Book Award for general non-fiction.
Aside from her own business, Dawn was employed as a writing instructor at Florida International University, where she worked from 2016 to 2019. Writers can learn more about her writing style from her book “Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces,” to understand how Dawn approaches writing.
Have a question to ask or want to start working with Dawn Davies? Then reach out to her here!
9. Blair Parke
Blair Parke has worked as senior editor and team lead for Salem Author Services for over eight years and a freelance writer for Southwest Orlando Bulletin. As a book editor, she is able to provide writers with clear and concise editorial assessments, as well as invaluable advice and feedback in her role as a copy editor. Blair focuses on non-fiction books, particularly biographies, Christian non-fiction, and books about health, inspirational books, and self-help books.
Blair is passionate about helping other writers improve their craft by acting as an unbiased source of feedback to authors who might find it difficult to see how to improve their manuscripts. She has worked with dozens of authors, including Rick Brewster, in his book “On the Other Side of Disappointment” and Linda Mullen on “Unglued: A tool to help you forgive and be free.”
Look to Blair Parke as a resource that can help you with your current – and future – books!
10. Maureen Sevilla
Working out of Tampa, Florida, Maureen Sevilla is a professional editor who has contributed to many award-winning books. Focused on working with fiction writers, Maureen provides insightful proofreading and editing for works in multiple genres, including fantasy, science fiction, short story, women’s fiction, and romance.
For the last 10 years, Maureen has been both a freelance editor and a member of staff at The Wild Rose Press. Her experience with working freelance and within a company allows her to provide feedback to writers from both perspectives, providing an invaluable, balanced perspective to the publishing and editing process. Examples of her work in editing include the bestselling novel “Wife by Wednesday” by Catherine Bybee, Willa Blair’s “His Highland Heart” and “Witch’s Tattoo (Hauntings in the Garden)” by Eliza March.
Rely on Maureen Sevilla to get you and your writing where you want to go.
11. Michaela Westmoreland
Michaela Westmoreland is more than just an extraordinary writer and editor. The talented editor offers her proofreading and copy editing to authors working on non-fiction history books, or fiction books in a range of genres, including action, coming of age, historical fiction, and young adult.
Beyond her work as an editor, Michaela’s professional experience shows how deep her repertoire runs. Currently completing post-graduate studies at Florida State University in Library and Information Sciences, Michaela is also a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist and certified in DCHx: Creating a Digital Cultural Heritage Community.
If you’re looking for someone with top organizational skills with technical skills to go along with her editing and writing abilities, Michaela Westmoreland is someone to whom you should be speaking.
12. Monica Burch
Working with Monica Burch will make a process like editing less tedious and more inspiring. The undergraduate from the University of North Florida works as a copy editor in Oviedo, Florida. Monica works in several positions, both as a tutor for Varsity Tutors, supporting students who need help with writing, and as a copy editor for Legacy Book Publishing, a position that she’s held for the last two years.
Monica offers developmental and copy editing, proofreading services, and indexing to writers. She brings her academic background in English, psychology, and education to the table, offering insightful edits to coming of age fiction, historical fiction, new adult and young adult fantasy, among other genres. Her approach focuses on adjusting the original text to allow the author’s intent to come through more clearly, rather than imposing stylistic changes that she finds ideal. Monica has been responsible for editing “Under Southern Skies: The Five Little Robersons,” a book by Earleen Danford Shorey.
Reach out to Monica Burch to learn more about her service or if you’re interested in working with her.
13. Erika Sexson
Freelance editor Erika Sexson has been doing proofreading and editing since December of 2015. She completed law school in 2018 and has extensive experience in technical writing, including accurate use of the Chicago Manual Style and editing platforms such as Adobe and Microsoft Word.
Working out of Florida, Erika is excited to work with writers of both non-fiction and fiction manuscripts. With her academic background, she’s able to provide valuable input to books on law and other non-fiction genres like LGBTQ non-fiction, sports, true crime, and entertainment. Her interests in fiction books extend to works in progress that fall into the categories of fantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy.
Start a conversation with Erika Sexson and learn more about how her support can benefit you.
14. Jerry Shaw
Based in Vero Beach, Florida, Jerry Shaw has been editing and writing professionally for over 17 years. The publishing services he offers include proofreading, copy editing and developmental editing alike, and editorial assessment. He can deliver feedback and correction for authors who intend to write in either American or British English.
With his wealth of experience, it’s no wonder that Jerry feels comfortable dealing with both fiction and non-fiction books. He’s completed edits for non-fiction biographies, such as “Connie: The USS Constellation and the Last 50-Star Union Jack” by Gregory Martinez, as well as books in other genres, like the suspense novel “The Blood Trail” by Shelley Young.
Jerry Shaw’s excited to get in touch with you and show you more of what he can do for you and your writing. Reach out to him today!
15. Kelsie Sandage
University of North Florida alumni Kelsie Sandage still resides in the state of Florida and today works as an editor and writer based in Cocoa Beach. A former undergraduate English major, with an additional focus in creative writing, Kelsie provides clients with query letter reviews for their proposals, proofreading and copy editing support, and writing assessments. Kelsie’s specialties as an editor are wide-ranging, as she’s capable of handling editing non-fiction books on DIY, home and garden, and writing, as well as fiction, works like anthologies, contemporary fiction, poetry as well as science fiction.
Kelsie’s ability to provide astute and solid observations comes from her academic background and professional experience. She has worked as an assistant editor at Beson4 Media Group, a freelance writer for Beachside Resident, and I Love Cocoa Beach. Along with her writing and editing ability, Kelsie’s familiarity with the modern tools and technologies of the industry, including proficiency with CMS like WordPress, as well as social media and basic marketing strategies, will be an advantage to writers.
Speak to Kelsie Sandage for more information or to start working together!
16. Christina LaRocca
Located in Miami, Florida, Christina LaRoccais is a professional academic writer and editor. Holding a J.D. in Law and bilingual in English and Spanish, Christina has been published as an author in the Georgetown Law Journal of Legal Ethics. She has also received the Bettina Pruckmayr Award for Human Rights for her contributions in that area. Since 2019, she has worked as an editor and attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center. She has a wealth of experience writing and editing legal briefs, opinion pieces, and academic articles.
In addition to her impressive accomplishments and work as an attorney, Christina’s copy editing and proofreading services extend to her specialty areas, including children’s fiction, cultural and historical fiction, and literary fiction, non-fiction books on the humanities, religion, self-help true crime.
Connect with Christina LaRocca to speak with her directly.
17. Lila Sadkin
Gainesville, Florida is home to Lila Sadkin, an experienced editor and proofreader. Her professional experience includes coordinating directory content at Naylor for several years, before serving as an editor for the University of Florida Libraries and finally committing to her current role as a self-employed editor.
Although describing herself as having more experience in non-fiction, Lila’s proficiency as an editor extends to fiction genres like children’s books, fantasy, and science fiction. Her forte remains her work with non-fiction books written about categories like computers, DIY, health, and self-help and other non-fiction books like biographies and memoirs. Lila’s contributes to many published books, including “Conditioning for Dancers,” a non-fiction book about training for dancers by Tom Welsh, and “Norton’s Ghost,” a bold look at homelessness by R. Canepa.
Let Lila Sadkin know what you’re working on and see how she can help you get from where you’re at to the finish line.
18. Carol Killman Rosenberg
Managing editor of HCI Books and an editorial specialist at The Book Couple, Carol Killman Rosenberg is a well-known name in the world of publishing and editing. She’s provided many writers and publishing houses with her editorial insights from her years of experience working with books on cooking, health and religion, and fiction for young adults and middle grades.
In addition to her current positions, Carol’s professional experience includes working at Avery Publishing as an associate editor and at Penguin-Putnam as a copy editor. Over her career, she’s edited countless titles, including “The Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World” by don Miguel Ruiz Jr. and don Miguel Ruiz Sr., “Dark Territory” by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel, and “Real World Mindfulness for Beginners: Navigate Daily Life One Practice at a Time” by Brenda Salgado.
Speak to Carol Killman Rosenberg to learn how her experience can change your writing and publishing experience.
19. Penny Fletcher
It is hard to decide where to begin when speaking about the incredible wealth of experience that Penny Fletcher brings to the table. After a successful career, including being bureau editor at Sunbelt Newspapers, editor at Amazon Books, and columnist and editor at the Tampa Tribune, she has been a self-employed author, editor, speaker, and coach for over two decades.
Penny provides her incredible proofreading and editing to writers of both fiction and non-fiction books. She has edited contemporary romance, mystery, crime novels, and non-fiction books on new age, philosophy, political sciences, and self-help. Titles that she’s edited or been involved with include “Song for a Lost Kingdom” by Steve Moretti, “Everything but I Love You” by A.R. Perry, and “Shepherds of Destiny” by Kiel Barnekov.
Connect with Penny Fletcher and find out more about her experience here.
Are there any other book editors in Florida that need to be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.