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Are you an author based in the Midwest?
Are you looking for book publishing companies in Minnesota? Here are 21 you should know about.
However, before you submit your manuscript to a book publisher, ensure it has been edited properly an editor.
If you need someone with experience in editing, below you’ll find 17 top book editors in Minnesota.
1. Michelle Krueger
Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, this editor has two decades of experience in the content and publishing industry. Michelle Krueger honed her proofreading skills working at Associated Press and eventually worked on many novels at Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing.
She specializes in young adult, historical, and mystery fiction. But don’t fret if you have a non-fiction manuscript: Michelle does developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessments on travel books too.
Two of the books she’s wondrously edited are Candy Calvert’s thrilling Mai Tai to Murder and Paul Buchanan’s literary fiction titled Snapshots.
If you need a quote, you can ask for one here.
2. Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson is also based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s been an independent managing editor since 2000 — that’s nearly 21 years of relevant experience. Thus, his clients are varied and include the likes of Falcon Press and Quarto Publishing.
Instead of fiction genres, his professional editing career has largely been in non-fiction. From writings on global warming to financial and medical concepts, Steve has captured a niche in editing that executives and budding writers alike approach him for.
His editing services are copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessments. To see how well he refines manuscripts, look at Jody Ray’s Pivot: Embracing the Moments That Change Your Destiny and Leigh Durst’s Walk, Climb, or Fly: Surviving and Thriving in the Workplace Wilderness.
To take your book to the next level, request a quote from Steve.
3. Elise Hitchings
With a master’s degree in Book Publishing specializing in editing, Elise Hitchings knew what career she would excel in from the get-go.
From being editor-in-chief at Augsburg Honors Review in 2015 to being part of Motivational Press and Ooligan Press, Elise is now a freelance editor with so much to offer.
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she’s comfortable editing books from widely different genres. Plus, she’s collaborated with both new writers and veteran authors.
Whether you have a self-help book or a groundbreaking literary fiction manuscript, Elise can provide her copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessment services.
Her portfolio is impressive and includes Roxanne Kaufman Elliott’s Never Wear Red and the unforgettable Sleeping in My Jeans by Connie King Leonard.
Contact Elise online to know her availability and service rates.
4. Patrick Barb
With at least a decade of experience, Patrick Barb is no stranger in the editing industry. He’s worked for Oxford University Press and Penguin Random House, and he’s familiar with both print and digital media.
Situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Patrick has been crucial to the success of many books, with numerous illustrated titles landing on bestseller lists. And thanks to his impeccable developmental editing, authors finally found the missing ingredient in their stories.
Patrick edits both fiction and non-fiction, and he’s the most exceptional when it comes to graphic novels.
He edited not only Andy Weir’s humorous and highly creative Cheshire Crossing but also Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.
You can quickly get a quote from Patrick if you’d like.
5. Dan Kelly
Dan Kelly resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And as someone who’s been editing since 1983, he’s one of the most experienced editors in the entire state. His first jobs were at Minnesota Monthly Magazine and Twin Cities Magazine before he stayed at St. Paul Pioneer Press for more than 27 years.
Humor and mystery are two genres he likes in fiction, but he’s keener on non-fiction like biographies and sports.
Dan’s services include copy editing and developmental editing, and he’s worked on Paul Gruchow’s The Necessity of Empty Places and Eric Kinkopf’s suspenseful Shooter.
If you need help with your manuscript, feel free to contact Dan.
6. Jennifer Turnquist
In 1993, Jennifer Turnquist got her certificate in manuscript editing. But her editing career started even earlier than that: She served as a proofreader for KPMG Peat Marwick from 1988 to 1990. Likewise, she edited a ton of chapters and articles when she was a laboratory technician at John Hopkins Hospital.
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jennifer is a veteran copy editor who began freelancing in 2018. She copy-edits both fiction and non-fiction, with the latter including memoirs and fields like psychology and sociology.
Two entries in her amazing portfolio are Albert Atkin’s Peirce and Leung Wing-Fai’s Multimedia Stardom in Hong Kong: Image, Performance and Identity.
If you’re in a creative rut, perhaps Jennifer can help you fine-tune your manuscript. Message her online for her service rates.
7. Amy Thomas
Different authors have different writing dilemmas, which is why Amy Thomas strives to understand them and their projects early on. And thanks to her approach, everyone from scholars to beginner authors has relied on her services.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amy has been an independent editor since 2000. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing — and has worked with Routledge and Capella University.
Amy conducts copy editing and developmental editing on non-fiction writings. She’s well-versed in many topics, so you can have her edit your book on philosophy or political science.
For proof of her exemplary editing experience, look at Interpening: The Art and Science of the Cannabis Sommelier by Max Montrose and Being Esther: A Novel by Miriam Karmel.
Request a quote from Amy here.
8. Sarah Barker
In 2014, Sarah Barker became a publishing intern for Coffee House Press. Today, she’s a copy editor who also works at the University of Minnesota Press as a production assistant. So what makes her a splendid editor?
For one, this editor from Minneapolis, Minnesota, treats cultural differences with respect. She knows the importance of using the most appropriate terminologies. Sarah can pinpoint the tiniest of flaws and give a remarkable course of action.
Currently, Sarah provides copy-editing services in young adult fiction and non-fiction categories such as education and sociology. She edited Aubrey Anable’s Playing with Feelings: Video Games and Affect and Kimberley Kinder’s The Radical Bookstore: Counterspace for Social Movements to great effect.
If you have any questions about her rates, you can contact Sarah with ease.
9. Brett Ortler
Would you like to work with an editor who has edited books that have won the National Outdoor Book Award, and has also edited a book that was a finalist for the MN Book Award? Brett Ortler lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has edited hundreds of books.
He started his career as a poetry editor. But since 2008, Brett has been an outstanding developmental and acquisitions editor for AdventureKEEN.
As you might expect, he edits only poetry in fiction since he’s focused on non-fiction books in the field of science, nature, and travel, among others.
Brett does copy editing and developmental editing. Two titles he’s edited are Jonathan Poppele’s Night Sky: A Field Guide to the Constellations and Dan R. Lynch’s Rock Collecting for Kids: An Introduction to Geology.
Ask Brett for a service quote here.
10. Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti is both an author and editor situated in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota. He’s honed his skills as an independent editor since 1999. Plus, he currently also works as a writer for Korn Ferry, a global consulting firm.
He specializes in non-fiction titles and has covered everything from history and travel to entertainment and business.
If you’re seeking developmental editing, Chris’s service will astound you. He develops succinct feedback annotations and will even rewrite certain parts if you’d like. His research and copy-editing skills are both spectacular as well.
In his portfolio, you’ll find Brian Cogan’s enlightening The Encyclopedia of Punk and Barbara Brownell Grogan’s Healing Herbs Handbook: Recipes for Natural Living.
You can hit up Chris here to avail his services.
11. Amber Ross
Are you a passionate crafter of children’s stories? If so, you’ll love working with Amber Ross, a highly experienced editor from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her first editorial work was at PDI Ninth House. Soon, she moved to renowned publishing companies like Pearson and Capstone.
As an editorial consultant, Amber conducts editorial assessments and developmental editing on picture books, middle-grade fiction, and even children’s non-fiction. Clients have praised her for comprehensive feedback and quality communication.
Whether it’s Journey to a Promised Land (I Am America) by Allison Lassieur or the educational Runway Zombee (Science Squad) by J. A. Watson and Arpad Olbey, the books Amber has edited are consistently entertaining and well-paced.
If you’re a children’s book writer, consider messaging Amber for a quote.
12. Hank Musolf
Mankato, Minnesota, may not be as big as Saint Paul or Minneapolis, but it’s also home to many editors with proven skills. One particularly noteworthy editor in the area is Hank Musolf. Armed with a degree in creative writing, he worked for Capstone as an editorial assistant for three years.
Now, Hank offers freelance editing services such as developmental editing and copy editing. He has a ton of experience in middle-grade fiction, young adult fantasy, and children’s non-fiction.
Some of his edited works include Tammy Gagne’s Tyrannosaurus Rex: A 4D Book and Ellen Labrecque’s illustrated astronomy book for kids titled Earth and Other Planets.
Feel free to message Hank regarding his services.
13. Scott Pearson
Scott Pearson knew he had strong potential in critiquing and examining books when he immediately got his own short story published in 1987. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, he’s written a variety of fiction genres — and Quarto USA commended his role as copy editor and acquisitions editor.
His beloved fiction genres are fantasy and sci-fi, but you’re more than welcome to provide other related subcategories. Scott’s copy editing always proves his mastery in not grammar, dialogue, and storytelling.
From James L. Cambias’s The Initiate to David Mack’s More Beautiful Than Death (Star Trek), the titles he worked on always thrilled readers.
Scott is available for contact here.
14. Terri Bischoff
One of the best developmental editors you can find in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is Terri Bischoff. She was the acquiring editor of Midnight Ink for nearly a decade — giving her a lot of experience in examining all sorts of manuscripts in quick succession. Thanks to her, Midnight Ink successfully obtained up to 40 titles annually.
Terri performs developmental editing services who loves working on fiction, particularly thrillers, crime, & LGBTQ fiction.
Her portfolio includes the chilling A Cold Day in Hell by Lissa Marie Redmond and the award-winning mystery novel titled Murderabilia by Carl Vonderau.
Request a quote from Terri for fast yet thorough editing.
15. Maddie Spalding
Maddie Spalding impresses both individual authors and publishing companies with her thorough editing. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she’s worked at not only Beaver’s Pond Press but Red Line Editorial as well.
There’s great demand for her as an editor of children’s non-fiction titles because of her experience and results. Whether it’s copy editing or developmental editing, her services always improve the way young readers can enjoy knowledge in history, science, and other fields.
Maddie has edited over 80 nonfiction titles for kids. These include Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine (Freedom’s Promise) by Harris Duchess and the highly informative Life with Blindness (Everyday Heroes) by Anita Yasuda.
If you’re a children’s book author and require expert editing, message Maddie online.
16. Gina Kammer
Residing in Lonsdale, Minnesota, Gina Kammer is also a first-class editor with a decade of experience. Before being an independent writer and editor, she served as editor for Inkwell and Capstone and an instructor at South Central College.
Copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessments are services available for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. In particular, she’s accomplished in children’s non-fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy.
Her edited works range from Don Nardo’s Why Should I Care About the Ancient Romans? to Tammy Gagne’s Hera: Queen of the Greek Gods.
She’s currently poised to be quite busy until early 22, but Gina can still be messaged for her services rates and availability here.
17. Chelsey Heller
This editor caught the attention of reputable businesses such as Agate Publishing and Aevitas Creative Management. Chelsey Heller is a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who’s efficient and considerate in her editing.
With a focus on fiction subgenres like speculative fiction and thrillers, and nonfiction like psychology and popular science, Chelsey attracts a wide variety of authors in need of copy editing.
Chelsey’s portfolio includes Jesmyn Ward’s Where the Line Bleeds: A Novel and Sarah Levy Imberman’s Sweetness: Delicious Baked Treats for Every Occasion.
If you’re eager to seek her editing services, you can easily contact Chelsey online.
Are there any other book editors in Minnesota 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.