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Are you an author from Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Kingston, or another city in Ontario?
Do you need a book publisher? Here are 17 book publishing companies you should know about.
If you’re looking for someone to edit your manuscript, continue reading.
Below you’ll find 17 top book editors in Ontario.
1. Maria Scala
Maria Scala accrued years of editorial experience working at Penguin Group Canada and Literary Mama, before becoming a freelance editor in 2007. To this day, the Toronto-based editor delivers developmental editing, copyediting, editorial assessments, and proofreading to interested clients. She holds a postgraduate degree in publishing from Simon Fraser University, and won the Linda Waddell Memorial Scholarship in Publishing Studies, also from Simon Fraser University.
Maria has fluency in Canadian English, British English, and American English, allowing her to work with authors writing in any one of those three linguistic styles. Her focus is on non-fiction texts written about architecture, design, travel, or biographies. “Riding with Rilke: Reflections on Motorcycles and Books” by Ted Bishop, “THE WOLF’S HEAD – Writing Lake Superior” by Peter Unwin, and “Vince, an Odyssey: Hope, Anger and the Future of Cities” by Neal E. Robbins are a few of the books she has edited.
Speak to Maria Scala for more information!
2. Dan Varrette
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Dan Varrette is a certified editor who has years of experience working with authors as a developmental editor. He has completed online training on Lynda.com in “Digital Publishing Fundamentals”. For writers working on fantasy, literary fiction, mystery, science fiction, thrillers, or short stories, Dan is eager to help and can provide proofreading, review query letters, and deliver editorial assessments and copyediting.
Dan’s professional history includes almost fifteen years working at Insomniac Press as an editor. In 2007, while still working at the company, he start a freelance editing business, where he currently continues to work and support writers. He has helped many books from draft to publication, including “Winnie’s Tongue” by Nic Labriola, “Hypocritic Days” by David Fiore, and “A Van Full of Girls by Michael Murray.”
Ask Dan Varrette out how he might be able to help you!
3. Dominic Farrell
Former clients of Dominic Farrell describe him as an editor who is easy to work with, provides great feedback, and is able to complete quality work on schedule. With an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Guelph, as well as a publishing certificate from Ryerson University, the credentialed editor offers proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing out of his home in Toronto, Ontario.
Dominic is happy to work on manuscripts about many different subjects, from art, biography, and history, to contemporary fiction and mystery. He has many years of professional experience editing for companies like Blue Butterfly Books and Dundurn Press. Since 2019, he’s worked as an independent writer and editor. His portfolio includes titles like “Being Prime Minister” by J.D.M. Stewart, “Breakdown” by Dennis McConaghy, and “Charles Pachter” by Leonard Wise.
Reach out to Dominic Farrell for more details!
4. Lara Hinchberger
Formerly an editor who spent years working at the reputable Penguin Random House Canada, Lara Hinchberger has been freelancing as an editor since 2014. Passionate about helping writers discover and refine their stories, Lara offers developmental editing and query letter reviews for writers looking to get published. Her services focus on works of young adult fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, or mysteries and crime novels.
Reviews of Lara’s editorial services are overwhelmingly positive, describing her as having a great deal of empathy with writers and a passion for discovering how to best bring out the author’s intended message. A number of books that she’s helped bring to publication include “Recipe for a Perfect Wife” by Karma Brown, “A Brightness Long Ago” by Guy Gavriel Kay, and “Hideaway” by Nicole Lundrigan.
Connect with Lara Hinchberger to learn more!
5. Laura Kenins
Laura Kenins is a professional copyeditor and proofreader with relevant academic training and professional experience. Located in Toronto, Canada, she holds degrees in visual arts, history, and art history, and a certificate in publishing from Ryerson University. Her experience with text in MLA, AP, CP, and Chicago style is a valuable resource for any writer.
While she currently works as a freelance editor, she’s picked up valuable years of experience working at companies like The Coast Weekly, the Baltic Times, and Hop Online. Her services including copyediting and proofreading for comics, literary fiction, and non-fiction books on art, entertainment, history, and political science. “Materiality and Perception in Contemporary Atlantic Art” by Tom Smart, “A Like Vision: The Group of Seven and Tom Thomson” by Ian Dejardin and Sarah Milroy, and James Wilson: Social Studies” by John Leroux and James Wilson are a few titles that have benefited from her editing.
Laura Kenins is a reliable editor that you can count on!
6. Dana Hopkins
Specializing in working with writers looking for their first publication, Dana Hopkins delivers quality proofreading, indexing, developmental editing, and copyediting from her base of work in Toronto, Ontario. She is certified with a certificate of publishing from Ryerson University and was awarded the Rosemary Shipton Award for Excellence in Book Editing.
Genres that Dana works with include non-fiction biographies, children’s non-fiction, and books on education, as well as fantasy books, mysteries, romance novels, and science fiction. Her editorial experience comes from years working at well-known names like Mosaic, Oxford University Press, and Harlequin Enterprises. Her portfolio includes titles such as “Tales of Arctic Whaling” by Kenn Harper, “Safe in the Lawman’s Arms” by Patricia Johns, and Deconstructing Men & Masculinities by Michael Atkinson.
Connect with Dana Hopkins and see if she can help out with what you’re working on.
7. Samantha Acker
Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Samantha Acker has years of experience in copyediting and proofreading. She is comfortable working in British English, Canadian English, and American and providing her editing services for books about action, adventure, and romance.
Samantha has significant professional working experience as an editor. She has worked for at least a year for companies including the Fort Pierce Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, InvestmentNews, Metro Toronto, and Metro Ottawa. Since 2006, she’s been working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, while also editing for organizations like Dolce Media Group, At Bay Press, and therighthairstyles.com. “Lost and ProFound” by Summer Felix, “The Way Out” by Greg S. Reid, and “The Statue of Liberty and Gigi” by Balinda Fiebiger are some of the books that she’s edited.
Samantha Acker can help you with your work in progress!
8. Laurie Gough
Laurie Gough is a professional editor and award-winning writer from Ottawa, Ontario. Her focus lies in non-fiction biographies and books on travel, as well as fiction coming of age and books for middle-grade readers. She’s able to offer query letter review, editorial assessment, proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing.
Winner of the ForeWord Magazine Travel Book of the Year, and shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, Laurie knows a thing or two about how to construct a great book. She’s worked as an independent editor for more than two decades and is able to provide you with all the guidance you need to get your book where it needs to be. Take a look at “Middle-Aged Boys & Girls” by Diane Bracuk and “Before I leave You: A Memoir on Suicide, Addition, and Healing” by Robert Imbeault to get a better idea of Laurie Gough’s abilities as an editor.
Learn more about Laurie Gough here!
9. Kim Haulena
With five years working at the reputable publishing house Harlequin and another six working freelance as a copyeditor and proofreader, it goes without saying that Kim Haulena has enjoyed many successful years in the publishing industry. She is competent in working in Canadian English, as well as British and American English.
Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the freelancing professional provides authors with proofreading and copyediting on Christian fiction and non-fiction, as well as books on mystery, romance, humanities, and life sciences, among others. Along with her professional experience at Harlequin, she’s edited for CADTH and Ascribe Marketing Communications. Examples of her editing work include “When We Found Home” by Susan Mallery, “The Ambassador’s Daughter” by Pam Jenoff, and “The Favorite Daughter” by Kaira Rouda.
Go with Kim Haulena for help on your next manuscript!
10. Natalie Morrill
In addition to being an award-winning author and holding an MFA in creative writing, Natalie Morrill is also currently a professor of professional writing at Algonquin College. The talented professional offers developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and query letter review to writers of historical and literary fiction.
The winner of the HarperCollins Canada/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction and the Canadian Jewish Literary Award for Fiction, Natalie has been the fiction editor for Dappled Things Magazine since 2013. Along with all her responsibilities teaching, writing, and working with the magazine, she also is more than excited to connect with writers who want to hear and learn from a writer who has seen success in this industry, like herself. She’s helped many authors bring their manuscripts to publication, such as Rhea Tregebov, who wrote “Rue des Rosiers”, Anita Kushwaha, author of “Secret Lives of Mothers & Daughters” and Andre Regnier, author of “Clear & Simple: How to Have Conversations That Lead to Conversion.”
Learn more about Natalie Morrill here!
11. Hala Saadani
Bilingual Hala Saadani has experience in many aspects of the writing business, including writing, translation, and editing. Fluent in English and Arabic, she offers proofreading, editorial assessments, copyediting, and developmental editing. She specializes in children’s nonfiction, comics, picture books, and books about humanities, political science, and current affairs.
Since 2004, Hala has operated as a self-employed editor. She has also been active in working in similar roles with the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, the German Technical Cooperation, and HBKU Press. Books that she’s contributed to include “Look Out Carissa!” by Hawaya Noor, “Mah and Me” by Ibtihaj al Harthi, and “Qatar Nature Explorer Park” by Frances Gillespie.
Hala Saadani is a reliable copyeditor that will help elevate your writing!
12. Michael Mirolla
Michael Mirolla is an editor who has been active in the publishing industry since 1988. A local of Hamilton, Ontario, he has professional experience as a writer, publisher, and editor. Competent at working with text in Canadian English, American English, and British English, his services include developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter review.
Michael’s former clients describe him as incredible on-point with his observations and sensitive to the intention of the writer, as well as the development of the text itself. He’s worked on countless books ranging from biographies and contemporary fiction to books on history, philosophy, political science. Take a closer look at some of the books in his portfolio, like “Cadillac Road” by Kristin Andrychuk, “The House on Selkirk Avenue” by Irena Karafilly, and “The Afrikaner” by Arianna Dagnino.
Speak to Michael Mirolla for more details!
13. Paisley McNab
Hamilton, Ontario is home to Paisley McNab, an award-winning editor who has an incredible breadth of academic training. Recipient of the Marsh Jeanneret Memorial Award for academic excellence in publishing, she holds an undergraduate degree in social sciences from McMaster University, as well as a postgraduate degree of education from the University of Glasgow. On top of that, Paisley has certification in publishing and editing from Ryerson University and the College of Media and Publishing.
Paisley’s editorial services range from developmental and copy editing, to editorial assessment and proofreading in Canadian and British English. She works mainly on fiction, including contemporary fiction, young adult fantasy, and books for middle-grade readers. Currently, she works as an editor and proofreader for Wattpad Books, a position that she’s held for the last two years. Her portfolio features titles such as “Teardown” by Dave Meslin, “She’s With Me” by Jessica Cunsolo, and “Given” by Nandi Taylor.
Connect with Paisley McNab and have a talk about how she might be able to help you edit your work in progress.
14. Emma Cole
Freelance editor Emma Cole has over 10 years of experience working as a copyeditor and proofreader. She built up her expertise by working with organizations including Key Porter Books and Scholastic Canada. She prides herself on being attentive to even the smallest details as an editor and proactive in improving the writer’s manuscript by pointing out potential issues in the construction of the text.
Fiction and non-fiction authors can rely on her editing services, as she’s supported books of various genres in the past, from dystopian, mystery, and urban fantasy fiction novels, to non-fiction books on entertainment, religion, and biographies. “Director’s Cut: My Life in Film” by Ted Kotcheff, “Hope Has Two Daughters” by Monia Mazigh, and “The Substitute” by Nicole Lundrigan” are a number of titles that have benefited from her discerning editing.
You can learn more about Emma Cole here!
15. Linda Verde
Not only has Linda Verde edited fiction and non-fiction books, but she’s also worked on written material in many formats and genres. The London, Ontario-based publishing professor was the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year and holds an undergraduate degree in women’s studies and philosophy. From her base in London, Ontario, Linda is a passionate reader and editor, eager to learn more about you as an author, in order to help you deliver your message as clearly as possible.
Over the twenty-three years that she’s worked as an independent editor, Linda has delivered quality proofreading, developmental editing, copyediting, and query letter reviews for authors. She’s also active in working with various corporations as an editor as well, including the College of Nurses of Ontario, Pappin Communications, 3M Canada, and the Ivey Business School. She’s helped books like “I Love My Life: I can, YOU Can” by Robert Pio Hajjar, “From SUPERVENING to SUPERBEING: Rewriting Your History Permanently” by George March, and “Stretching Your Way: A Unique & Leisurely Muscle Stretching System” by Larry Piller” find its way from draft to publication.
Go with Linda Verde and see where her advice will take you!
16. Sharon Lindenburger
Located in London, Ontario, Sharon Lindenburger is a professional writing coach and editor who provides developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for authors. A member of Editors Canada, she is more than capable of working on texts written in Canadian English, American English, British English, Australian English, and New Zealand English.
Sharon has edited books from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction categories. She’s helped authors of non-fiction books on health, history, and self-help, as well as writers of literary fiction, science fiction, short stories, and romance. Since 1998, she has worked as a freelance editor, supporting books like “Ask and You Will Succeed: 1001 Extraordinary Questions to Create Life-Changing Results” by Ken D. Foster, “The Warrior Mind: Ancient Wisdom from the Martial Arts for Living a More Powerful Life” by Jim Pritchard and Sharon Lindenberger, and “Living the Good Life” by David Patchell-Evans.
Speak to Sharon Lindenburger about your manuscript and see if she would be of help to you!
17. Erin Montgomery
With a background in journalism, Erin Montgomery knows the difference between powerful and mediocre writing. The freelance writer and editor, from Hamilton, Ontario, is also the editor in chief at Flourish Magazine, a position through which she is able to acquire new and different skills to apply to her independent editing business. She’s comfortable working through media and platforms including WordPress, Wix, and Shopify, giving her versatility as an editor.
Erin can deliver proofreading and copyediting to books in a range of categories, from biographies, and books on business, design, and DIY, to fiction for children, romantic comedy, and women’s fiction. “Mama’s Gotta Work: Stories and Survival Hacks from Real-Life Working Moms on Conscious Parenting, Career Success, and True Fulfillment” by Krysta Lee et al, “We All Belong: Musings on Inclusion, Acceptance, and Kindness” by Chou Hallegra et al, and “Self-Love Club (Volume 2)” by Courtney St. Croix are a number of books that Erin Montgomery has edited.
Let Erin Montgomery take a look at your book and help you discover different ways of improving it!
Some More Top Book Editors in Ontario
18. Elizabeth Hirst
Hamilton, Ontario’s Elizabeth Hirst is a professional editor with academic training and professional experience. She graduated from Brock University with a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature and has worked for years as an editor for companies like Hitgrab, Inc, Pop Seagull Publishing, and Amazing Stories.
Elizabeth’s postgraduate experience means that she is a capable writing coach and editor for non-fiction text and has familiarity with the MLA and APA writing formats. Her background allows her to work on books about non-fiction topics including the humanities, LGBT, and business communications. Her passion, however, lies in editing for fiction, such as fantasy, horror, and science fiction. She’s completed editing including Allen Steele’s “Captain Future: Captain Future in Love” and “Captain Future: The Guns of Pluto” as well as “Amazing Stories” by Ira Nayman.
Speak to Elizabeth Hirst if you feel she might be able to offer you a new perspective on your writing.
19. Allister Thompson
Allister Thompson started working in the publishing industry in 1998, working largely on children’s literature. Today, he is a highly successful independent editor who has branched out to editing writing of various genres. Based in North Bay, Ontario, Allister delivers proofreading, copyediting, developmental editing, and query letter reviews.
For almost thirteen years, Allister worked as an editor at Napoleon & Company before then moving over to Dundurn Press to take over as their senior editor. In 2013, he started his own business as a freelance editor, working on fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, science fiction, and non-fiction books on history and music. A number of titles you might be interested in looking at in order to see Allister’s quality of work are “The Night Has Teeth” by Kat Kruger, “Trumpets Sound No More” by Jon Redfern, and “Azrael” by M.T. Ellis.
Reach out to Allister Thompson for more information!
Do you know of any book editors in Ontario? Please tell us more in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.