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New York is a publishing paradise.
It is home to some of the finest book publishers, literary agents and book publicists.
There are also a number of book editors across the state.
If you’re looking for editing support for your book, one of the following 19 top book editors in New York might be able to help.
Note: As always, when selecting a book editor, be sure to do your due diligence before signing any contract and paying any fees.
1. Lila Stromer
Based in New York City, New York, Lila Stromer is a self-employed book editor with expertise in academic book editing, such as essays and dissertations, focusing on social sciences. With years of previous experience as a managing editor of Law & Social Inquiry, a social sciences academic journal, Lila brings the confidence that comes from experience working at a top-flight publication.
Currently, Lila offers freelance book and article editing services. She has been involved in editing books on international law, civil rights, law, and human rights, such as “Corruption and Human Rights Law in Studies” by Kolawole Olaniyan, published by the Studies in International Law.
If you have a similar work you’d be interested in having edited by Lisa Stromer, reach out to her here.
2. Stephanie Cohen
Stephanie Cohen brings over ten years of professional editing experience, focusing on the genres of young adult fiction and children’s literature. One of the full-time editing staff at Inkyard Press/Harper Collins, she also freelances with Penguin Random House as a copy editor. Along with her work in editing, Stephanie is also proficient in technical editing, proofreading, performing beta reads, and reviewing.
With a wide range of interests and competencies in editing, Stephanie’s portfolio unsurprisingly reflects various writing genres. From academic works such as “The Bedford Introduction to Drama” and “Student Peer Review and Response: A Critical Sourcebook” to books of prose of poetry, Stephanie has demonstrated, with successful edit after successful edit, her ability in various genres in fiction writing.
Reach out to Stephanie Cohen to learn more!
3. Tania Strauss
As an accomplished writer herself, Tania Strauss can empathize with her clients and understand the support they need as a professional freelance editor. With experience in screenplay and book editing, she enjoys the process of interacting with the writer as she enhances and strengthens their manuscript.
After years of working as a professional editor at reputable outfits such as the United Talented Agency and The Cheney Agency, Tania has been a self-employed editor for just over eight years. In addition to copy editing and professional editorial assessment, she can also provide development editing for works in progress. She’s contributed to publishing successful books, including “Among the Ten Thousand Things” by Julia Pierpont, nominated by San Francisco Chronicle and the Huffington Post as one of the year’s best books.
Speak to Tania personally to learn more about her process and find out if it would be a good fit to work with her!
4. Trevor Courneen
Trevor Courneen started as an assistant food editor with Paste Magazine from 2014 until two years later, in 2016, when he joined Topix Media Lab as an associate editor. Trevor delivers accurate and insightful edits to non-fiction writing, specializing in genres like music, health, entertainment, biographies, and food, and cooking.
In addition to copy editing, Trevor offers editorial assessment, proofreading services, and developmental editing. Known to his clients as an approachable individual, his portfolio is an eclectic selection showcasing his expertise, including cookbooks like “John Wayne Cast Iron Official Cookbook” and “Get Crocked Stoups & Stews” by Jenn Bare.
Connect with Trevor to find out more about his process!
5. Clarissa D. Santiago
While a good amount of online research will give any editor the minimal background they need to complete a job, nothing quite tops working with someone who has lived experience in the subject matter. Clarissa D. Santiago is a professional editor who has experience in more than just writing and literature. She’s served as a writing award juror, worked in educational administration, and is also a licensed yoga instructor. These experiences have made her a well-rounded editor with real-world experience.
As a self-employed freelancer, Clarissa provides copy editing and proofreading services for non-fiction text on art and fashion, history, photography, and LGBTQ non-fiction. She’s familiar with MLA, Chicago, and AP styles and has expertise in handling both creative non-fiction and academic writing, such as “The Cinema of Ettore Scola” by Rémi Lazoni, et al and Francesco Pascuzzi’s “The Space s and Places of Horror.”
Speak to Clarissa to learn more!
6. Ken Salikof
Since 1998, Ken Salikof has been a self-employed writer and editor. Awarded “Best Original Screenplay” at the Westchester Film Festival, he is an accomplished author and ghostwriter, in addition to being a studio reader for companies like Warner Bros and 20th Century-Fox. Ken’s long and distinguished career as an author, along with his own professional experiences, helps him provide unique, insightful comments as a book editor.
Whether for historical or literary fiction, or non-fiction books about entertainment, trust that Ken will have something valuable to contribute. He delivers query letter reviews, editorial assessments, and editing for interested writers. His editing credentials include published works such as “Help for the Haunted: A Novel “by John Searles and “Paris to Die For,” a thriller by Maxine Kenneth.
Go to Ken Salikof for wisdom that comes from over two decades of being in the industry!
7. Nate Roberson
Nate Roberson is no stranger to the publishing world. After graduating from New York University, the professional editor worked for reputable names like Kaplan Publishing and HarperCollins before ending up at Crown Publishing Group. He has now worked as senior editor for just over a decade.
Clients can rely on Nate’s professional experience in multiple genres, as the experienced editor has many editorial contributions that include non-fiction and fiction literary works. His many accomplishments include working on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Black Count” by Tom Weiss and the business non-fiction book titled “Tell to Win” by Peter Guber, which ranked number one on the New York Times’ list of bestselling books.
Take a look at more of what Nate Roberson has completed here.
8. Matt DeMazza
Although he has edited many books, Matt DeMazza is well-known for his work on “Fire and Fury,” Michael Wolff’s account of events in former President Donald Trump’s White House. Matt has been working at Macmillan Audio as senior managing editor since February of 2016, overseeing a team of editors that work under him to ensure that no errors go unchecked.
Matt has converted his undergraduate degree in journalism into his area of specialty as an editor, focusing mainly on non-fiction biographies and memoirs and books on entertainment music and sports. He’s also a prolific editor in the fiction genre of mystery and crime, with completed projects including “An Anonymous Girl” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, a thriller that went on to win People Magazine’s Book of the Week, as well as top the New York Times bestseller list, among other commendations.
Contact Matt and let him know what your work in progress is about!
9. Larry O’Connor
After teaching at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and being copy chief of business at the New York Post, Larry O’Connor has spent the last two decades freelancing as a book editor. He offers editing and assessment services for writers and query letter reviews from his location in Brooklyn, New York.
Larry is a competent and reliable editor in fiction and non-fiction genres alike, comfortable working on contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers, short stories, biographies, and books on sports and the outdoors. Notable works that he’s worked on in the past include “The Lifeguard” and “All the Way to the Tigers: A Memoir,” both by Mary Morris.
Reach out to Larry O’Conner for an experience that will exceed your expectations.
10. Gina Mushynsky
Gina Mushynsky is a professional editor located in Syracuse, New York. She prides herself on being conscious of the author’s writing style and never looks to alter it, only to improve upon and clarify the message. Gina was an assistant editor with Virtucom Group for roughly seven years until leaving in 2016 and has been working as a freelancing copy editor since that time.
Gina has worked with publishing houses such as Crossroad Publishing, Pearson, Anaiah Press, and 5 Fold Media. She offers her copy editing and proofreading services to writers of Christian non-fiction works. In the past, she’s contributed to titles such as “Walking on Water: Simple Certainties to Live By” by Anthony de Mello, as well as Amanda Erwin’s “Death Bears New Life,” both of the Christian non-fiction genre.
Speak to Gina Mushynsky if you’re interested in having her work on your Christian writing as well!
11. Jeff Shreve
After working for years at W. W. Norton & Company, Jeff Shreve has been working as a self-employed freelance editor since 2015. He had spent almost ten years in various editing positions for W.W. Norton & Company, working on a selection of non-fiction books, before making the leap to becoming a freelancer.
As a freelancer, he continues to specialize in editing non-fiction works. These include books about political science and current affairs, like the award-nominated “The Wolf and the Watchman: A Father, a Son, and the CIA,” by Scott C. Johnson, as well as technology, including Bruce Shneier’s “Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World.” Jeff lends his expertise to other categories, including literature on earth sciences, humanities and social sciences, and self-improvement.
Take a look at more of what Jeff Shreve has accomplished as an editor!
12. Julie Tibbott
New York City’s Julie Tibbott was formerly the senior editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She held the position for years until stepping down in 2017 to pursue self-employment as a professional editor. Her services include support in development editing for works in progress, copy editing and editorial assessment, and reviewing query letters.
Julie herself is the author of “Members Only: Secret Societies, Sects, and Cults Exposed,” published in 2015 by Zest Books. Having made it through the editing process towards publication herself, she can empathize personally with clients and, more importantly, deliver accurate advice that only a writer who has successfully published would be able to give. She takes on clients who specialize in fiction, like young adult, short story, or fantasy.
Reach out to Julie Tibbott to find out more!
13. Olivia Funderburg
Award-winning writer Olivia Funderburg provides professional editorial services for writers of children’s fiction, young adult and contemporary fiction, and Christian non-fiction books. Located in New York, Olivia completed her studies in English Literature and Education Studies, giving her a unique perspective into what makes a successful children’s book.
As a professional editor, Olivia’s services include checking query letters, performing editorial assessments, and copy editing. She has worked at well-known publishers, including Scholastic Inc. and HarperCollins Publishers, and she currently works as a managing editorial assistant at Penguin Random House. Olivia has been involved with a large number of novels and children’s books, like “A Visit To The Moon” by Ellen Lewis and “Maria Tallchief: Woman of Two Worlds” by Cinnamon Spear.
For books that will inspire the generation of the future, partner with Olivia Funderburg!
14. Kiley Frank
Working out of Canton, New York, Kiley Frank is a professional editor specializing in picture books, middle group and young adult books, and children’s non-fiction and non-fiction biographies. Formerly an assistant editor at Atheneum Books for Young Readers for many years, she freelanced as a book editor for roughly the last ten years.
Widely praised by former clients for her insightful comments and detailed review and edits, Kiley provides development editing and editorial assessments for books making their way through the publishing process. She’s contributed to Dia Calhoun and Kate Slater’s book for children “Eva of the Farm” and Ashley Rhodes-Router’s “Three More Words.”
It’ll only take one conversation with Kiley Frank for you to want to work with her. Contact her today!
15. Caroline Acebo
A champion for women’s rights in the publishing field, Caroline Acebo continues to make women-focused literature her life’s work as an editor. Her career has seen stops at some of the publishing world’s largest names, including Siren-BookStrand, Harlequin, and Grand Central Publishing, where she worked on material by authors like Parker Swift, Jenny Holiday, and Kathy Lyons
Caroline now runs her own editing business that delivers copy and developmental editing, among other services, to writers. She provides professional editorial support to works of contemporary romance, new adult, romantic comedy, and urban fantasy fiction.
Speak to Caroline Acebo and learn more about her vision for literature for women!
16. Katie McGuire
Focusing on fiction like fantasy, historical fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction subjects like entertainment and true crime, Katie McGuire is a versatile book editor that provides development editing and assessment services out of New York. Currently a freelance editor, she was formerly a professional editor employed by Pegasus Books, where she focused her professional efforts on developing their crime fiction category.
Katie’s experience and ability to work on fiction and non-fiction writers shines through in categories that showcase how her unique array of interests is a clear advantage. Her work in historical non-fiction, including Christopher Hull’s “Our Man Down in Havana: The Story Behind Graham Greene’s Cold War Spy Novel,” clearly strengthens her ability to deliver precise and relevant feedback for writer’s of the historical fiction genre, like Julie McElwain, writer of “Betrayal in Time: A Novel.”
Share the ideas you’re working on with Katie and ask for her professional opinion on your writing!
17. Rosanna Chiofalo Aponte
Every publishing market is slightly different, and experience can mean the difference between a rejection letter and your first published work. With over twenty-five years of experience in New York’s publishing scene, Rosanna Chiofalo Aponte is someone you know you can rely on to get your work considered for publication.
After freelancing for years while working for some of the biggest names in publishing like Harlequin Books, HarperCollins Publishing, and Penguin Random House, Rosanna finally went on her way as an independent editor, copywriter, and proofreader in 2019. Whether it is romance, like Sheryl J. Anderson’s “Killer Cocktail,” or mysteries like the thriller “Every Move You Make” by Jill Jones, Rosanna is happy to look at it and provide her honest and experienced opinion.
Take advantage of the experienced wisdom that Rosanna Chiofalo Aponte can provide you!
18. Lia Ottaviano
Based in NYC, Lia Ottaviano is a professional editor focusing on non-fiction genres like new age, true crime, LGBTQ non-fiction, self-help, business, and spirituality. She offers clients copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessment of their manuscripts.
Currently a self-employed editor, Lia has also had experience working at reputable publishing companies, including Callisto Media, where she worked from 2018 to 2020, and Diversion Books before then. She’s edited for authors like Mark Cuban on his business book “Kid Startup,” and Peter Block, who wrote “The Empowered Manager 2e” and “The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work”.
Contact Lia and have a conversation to learn more about her process and how she can help you!
19. Mikola De Roo
Mikola De Roo is no stranger to success in writing. Winning Longman Summit’s award for Editor of the Year in 2006 and Text & Academic Authors Association’s Textbook Excellence Award in 2008, she delivers top-quality deliverables as both a writer and an editor. After a career with publishers like MacMillan, Pearson Education, Longman Publishers, and McGraw-Hill Education, Mikola has worked as a self-employed editor for the last 25 years.
Mikola’s editing services revolve around her simple but flawless copy editing and assessments, something she offers to fiction and non-fiction writers alike. She has completed work on thriller and mystery novels and LGBTQ non-fiction, humanities, and biographies.
Reach out to Mikola De Roo if you’re in the New York area and are looking for an editor of her calibre for your subsequent work in progress.
Are there any other book editors in New York that should 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.
