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Are you an author living in Michigan who has written a book, had it edited and now want to submit your manuscript to book publishers?
If so, here’s a list of book publishing companies in Michigan.
On the other hand, if you still need to get your book professionally edited, one of the following 19 top book editors in Michigan might be able to help.
1. Ronit Wagman
Living in Detroit, Michigan, Ronit Wagman has been working as an editor for over 15 years now. After gaining extensive experience at Penguin Random House, Ronit decided to begin her freelance career. Presently, she can provide developmental editing and editorial assessment for women’s fiction, historical fiction, entertainment, coming-of-age, and literary fiction projects, to give some examples. You can get an idea of her skills by checking out “Hissing Cousins”, by Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer, and “Backing Into Forward”, by Jules Feiffer. To learn more about Ronit and to request a quote, click here.
2. Elizabeth Ferguson
With a freelance career of over 5 years, Elizabeth Ferguson is a Grosse Pointe Woods-based editor and writer. In terms of clients, she has collaborated with Proofit, St. James’ Press, and Taylor & Francis/Routledge, to give some examples. Elizabeth’s specialties are history, education & reference, and sociology, but she is open to working on a wide range of projects. Therefore, if you have an essay, a fiction book, a letter, or a recipe that needs improvement, she can surely help you out. To learn more about her portfolio, check out “Books To Film”, by Jim Craddock, and “The Business and Culture of Sports: 4 Volume set”, by Joseph Maguire. Looking for developmental editing, editorial assessment, copy editing, or proofreading services? If so, you can request a quote here.
3. Lisa Howard
An experienced writer and editor based in Berkley, Michigan, Lisa Howard specializes in copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, query letter review, and editorial assessment. Having published several titles under her own name, Lisa knows exactly what authors need and she can easily guide them through the writing process. In terms of genres, she prefers sex & relationships, fantasy, science fiction, and health & well-being, to give some examples. Two of the titles you will find in Lisa’s portfolio are “The Skinny on Fats”, by Dr. David Brownstein and Sheryl Shenefelt, and “5-Minute Calm”, by Adams Media. Quotes can be requested here.
4. Christopher Haigh
An Ann Arbor-based freelancer with a vast work experience, Christopher Haigh began his editing career in 1998 at The Dictum, a law school newspaper. His studies in patent law and aeronautical engineering allowed him to discover his passion for technical writing, which is why he also works as a ghostwriter. Three of his specialties are technology, business & management, and education & reference. To get an idea of Christopher’s skills, you can look up “Powerful, Different, Equal”, by Peter B. Walker, and “It’s Not You It’s the Workplace”, by Andrea S. Kramer and Alton B. Harris. If you need proofreading, developmental editing, or copy editing services and you feel like he’s a good fit for your project, request a quote here.
5. Howard Lovy
Based in Traverse City, Michigan, Howard Lovy is a freelance editor with around 8 years of experience in the publishing field. The 35 years he spent working as a journalist helped Howard learn about numerous topics, which is why he now specializes in history, life sciences, law, religion & spirituality, and science fiction, among many other genres. In terms of services, he can provide both editorial assessment and developmental editing. “I Ran Into Some Trouble”, by Peggy Caserta and Maggie Falcon, and “Ballad of a Sober Man”, by J. D. Remy are two of the best titles in his portfolio. To learn more about Howard and to request a quote, access this page.
6. Ellen Lewis
Specializing in copy editing, developmental editing, and proofreading, Ellen Lewis is a Lansing-based freelance editor with around 25 years of experience in the publishing industry. After starting her career at Timber Press, Ellen also worked as a technical writer for a few years. Presently, nonfiction is her main focus, particularly health & well-being, home & garden, and DIY & crafts. Curious about her work? If so, check out “Gardening in the South”, by Mark Weathington, and “Mountain States Medicinal Plants”, by Briana Wiles. To request a quote from Ellen, click here.
7. Paul Schellinger
Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Paul Schellinger is a freelance editor who has been working in the publishing field for 30 years now. He is familiar with a broad range of topics, but he is mainly interested in working on nonfiction projects. Therefore, Paul prefers biographies & memoirs, self-help & self-improvement, education & reference, and writing & publishing. If you’d like to see some of the titles in his portfolio, you should check out “Science, Religion, and the Protestant Tradition”, by James C. Ungureanu, and “Science for All”, by Edgar Jenkins. Paul can provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. Feel free to request a quote here.
8. Lisa Gilliam
A Wyandotte-based freelancer, Lisa Gilliam earned the ACES/Poynter Certificate in Editing and the Publishing Training Centre Certificate in Essential Grammar. Her client list includes Dragon Moon Press, Kensington Books, and Booktrope, to give some examples. Because she specializes in fiction, some of Lisa’s favorite genres are urban fantasy, psychological thriller, horror, and mystery & crime. Two titles that will give you an idea of her skills are “Bones of the Innocent”, by John A. Connell, and “Leaning On Water”, by Joan June Chen. If you’re in need of copy editing or proofreading services, Lisa could surely help you out. Feel free to request a quote here.
9. Meaghan Minkus
Meaghan Minkus is a Grand Rapids-based freelance editor who has previously worked at Discovery House and Zondervan. She has extensive experience in Christian fiction and nonfiction book editing, and she earned the 2016 Emerging Leader Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. However, Meaghan is presently eager to work on manuscripts in any other genres as well. She enjoys inspirational nonfiction, children’s nonfiction, middle grade & YA fiction, and picture books, to give some examples. “Dangerous Territory”, by Amy Peterson, and “A Place to Land”, by Kate Motaung are just two of the titles in her portfolio. If you’re interested in query letter review, copy editing, or proofreading services, you can request a quote here.
10. Trinity McFadden
With more than 13 years of experience in the publishing field, Trinity McFadden is a Grand Rapids-based freelance editor and the Senior Manager of Public Relations at Zondervan Books. Trinity specializes in proofreading and copy editing, which she can provide for authors of nonfiction books. History, self-help & self-improvement, parenting & families, religion, and inspirational nonfiction are some of her favorite genres. If you’re thinking about collaborating with Trinity, make sure to check out some of her past work – “Important Bible Passages”, by Father Matthew Nathan, and “Measuring UP!”, by Dr. Tere Linzey are two good choices. Quotes can be requested here.
11. Polly Rosenwaike
Editor of “The Fire in His Wake”, by Spencer Wolff, and of “Heaven”, by Emerson Whitney, Polly Rosenwaike has over 10 years of freelance experience and is based in Ann Arbor. Currently a fiction editor for Michigan Quarterly Review as well, Polly earned her M.F.A. in Fiction in 2009. Literary fiction, humanities & social sciences, women’s fiction, and biography & memoir are some of her genres of choice. In terms of genres, Polly can provide copy editing, developmental editing, and query letter review. To learn more about her and to request a quote, access this page.
12. Brian Vos
Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brian Vos has been working in the publishing field for over 20 years now. Currently a freelance editor and a Senior Acquisitions Editor at Baker Books, Brian loves helping authors who have valuable ideas to share. As his specialty is nonfiction, he prefers health & well-being, business & management, and self-help & self-improvement, to name some genres. If you’re curious about his portfolio, check out “The Vision Driven Leader”, by Michael Hyatt, and “Think, Learn, Succeed”, by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Feel free to request a quote for developmental editing, copy editing, or editorial assessment here.
13. Theresa Cole
Theresa Cole is a Michigan-based freelance editor who has gained extensive work experience at Crescent Moon Press, Full Fathom Five Digital, and Entangled Publishing. Specializing in fiction, Theresa loves fantasy, science fiction, paranormal romance, and dystopian fiction, to give some examples. In terms of services, she can provide copy editing, proofreading, developmental editing, and editorial assessment. To get an idea of her editing style, look up “Beg Me To Slay (Entangled Covet)”, by Lisa Kessler, and “Forged by Fate (Bound By Hades)”, by Reese Monroe. Quotes can be requested here.
14. Bess McAllister
Specializing in developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment, Bess McAllister is a Michigan-based freelancer with over 8 years of experience in the publishing field. Since she has collaborated with both aspiring and internationally bestselling authors, Bess surely finds it easy to understand the needs of each client. When it comes to genres, she prefers thriller & suspense, YA fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction, to give some examples. “Prettyboy Must Die”, by Kimberly Reid, and “Last Girls”, by Demetra Brodsky are just two of the best titles in her portfolio. To learn more about Bess and to request a quote, access this page.
15. Margaret Fierstine
Living in Marquette, Michigan, Margaret Fierstine is a freelance editor and a former teacher of English, Latin, and Spanish. Her extensive academic experience helped her learn language structure in detail, so she doesn’t overlook anything when working on a book. Whether it’s technical or nontechnical writing, Margaret could definitely help you improve your work (especially if it’s a romance novel!). If you’re looking for proofreading or copy editing services, feel free to request a quote here.
16. Jen Anderson
The Lansing-based owner of Clearing Blocks, an editing and creative content development business, Jen Anderson collaborates with independent writers, magazine producers, and poets, to give some examples. With a B.A. from Roger Williams University and a copy editing certification from UC San Diego Extension, Jen knows exactly how to improve every fiction manuscript. Urban fantasy, LGBTQ+ fiction, and science fiction are only a few of her favorite genres. When it comes to services, she can provide developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessment. Interested in her work? If so, you should check out “How Other People Make Love”, by Thisbe Nissen, and “Residual Heat”, by Aga Black. To learn more about Jen and to request a quote, click here.
17. Amanda Lewis
A Howell-based freelancer, Amanda Lewis has a B.A. in English and Professional Writing from Michigan State University and an Editing Certification from University of Chicago Graham School. Since she specializes in fiction, some of her favorite genres are YA fiction, magical realism, horror, and paranormal romance. You can get an idea of Amanda’s skills by checking out “The Window Is a Mirror”, by Michael Andreoni, and “The Rite of Wands”, by Mackenzie Flohr. If you’re in need of proofreading or copy editing services, Amanda might be the right choice for you. Quotes can be requested here.
2 More Top Book Editors in Michigan
18. Paul Vachon
Specializing in query letter review, developmental editing, and copy editing, Paul Vachon is a Detroit-based freelancer with more than 13 years of experience in the publishing field. Since he is also an author, he surely finds it easy to understand the needs of each client. In terms of genres, Paul is open to working on any type of project, but he is particularly interested in history. To learn more about his style, you should look up “Legendary Locals of Detroit” and “Moon Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Travel Guide)”, which are both published under his own name. If you’re interested in collaborating with Paul, feel free to request a quote here.
19. Emily Van Houten
Emily Van Houten is Grand Rapids-based freelance editor and English adjunct professor at Cornerstone University. With an M.A. from University of Durham and a work experience in education, Emily has the necessary skills to improve any book manuscript. In terms of services, she can provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, editorial assessment, query letter review, and indexing. As she specializes in nonfiction, some of her genres of choice are humanities & social sciences, Christian nonfiction, and education & reference. “Blessed Is She”, by Victoria McAfee, and “Women of the Bible Speak Out”, by Marlo Schalesky are two titles that could help you get an idea of her portfolio. Quotes can be requested here.
Are there any other book editors in Michigan you know of? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.