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Do you need an editor to edit your LGBTQ novel? We’re here to help. Below we’ve featured 19 top LGBTQ book editors for your review.
1. Teja Watson
What’s a better way to start the list than with the one and only Teja Watson? Based in Arcata, California, this editor has at least 27 years of editing experience. She’s also a novelist and screenwriter, so the art of storytelling is something she can examine from different perspectives.
Teja contributed her editing skills to companies such as Spin Magazine, George Magazine, Alyson Books, and Two Birds Editing. Her services include proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing — and she’s fine with either US English or UK English.
One look at her portfolio is all you need to realize her proficiency in editing both LGBTQ fiction and even some scholarly LGBTQ nonfiction. Examples include Katia Noyes’s lesbian novel Crashing America, Lucy Jane Bledsoe’s This Wild Silence, and Mack Friedman’s Strapped for Cash: A History of American Hustler Culture.
You can request a quote from Teja with ease if you’d like to work with her.
2. Dominic Wakeford
Dominic Wakeford is no stranger to the meticulous editing of the most promising manuscripts. Located in London, UK, he spent many years as the commissioning editor for not only Little, Brown Book Group but also HarperCollins. Working on critically acclaimed and best-selling titles is a part of his regular job.
He provides copy edits, structural edits, and developmental edits. Furthermore, Dominic’s clients also request services like query letter reviews and manuscript critiques.
His strengths are in fiction. In the field of LGBTQ fiction, you’ll see that he edited Justin Myers’ hilarious debut novel The Last Romeo and Paul Mendez’s literary wonder Rainbow Milk.
Contact Dominic online to set an appointment.
3. Ryan Boyd
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Ryan Boyd is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association. Ryan’s professional career began in the content management industry before they became an independent editor in 2019.
From proofreading and copy editing to line editing, developmental editing, and structural editing, Ryan’s services are abundant and executed with equal passion and skill. They’re highly experienced in genre fiction and pay attention to details big and small.
To get an idea of their editing prowess, check Felicia Davin’s gay sci-fi romance Out of Nowhere and Sarah Gailey’s acclaimed LGBTQ dystopian fiction Upright Women Wanted.
Message Ryan for their rates and availability.
4. Sarah Lane
You won’t easily find someone as experienced in her craft as Sarah Lane. Since 1992, this editor from Bainbridge Island, Washington, has been an independent editor. From nonprofit organizations to big companies and individuals, Sarah’s clients have nothing but utmost gratitude for her peerless editing.
Apart from copy editing, developmental editing, and editorial assessments, Sarah’s talent in journalism and research will elevate any writing. She’s fine with either fiction or nonfiction and will ceaselessly look into aspects like tone consistency and structure.
Her LGBTQ fiction portfolio isn’t as sizable as other genres, but it does have Thea Winthrop’s historical and gay erotica Foggy Panes.
You can inquire about her editing services here.
5. Dionne McCulloch
Dionne McCulloch might be from Bath, UK, but this impeccable editor caters to authors from both the UK and the US. Likewise, she’s an author and a valuable advisory member of the Paper Nations, which encourages creative writing.
Her main editing services are query letter reviewing and copy editing, but she does developmental edits too. Also, clients applaud her great feedback, supportive approach, and collaborative attitude.
Dionne does not edit LGBTQ fiction. On the bright side, she’s familiar with LGBTQ nonfiction. For one, she’s the editor of Charlie Kiss’s A New Man: Lesbian. Protest. Mania. Trans Man.
Dionne doesn’t charge for copy edits of the first three pages. Interested authors can request a quote in an instant.
6. Beth Partin
Since 1989, Beth Partin has been examining manuscripts and establishing her career in the publishing industry. She boasts more than 26 years of relevant experience and has handled work for presses like Skyhorse and Counterpoint.
Beth lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and is adept at copy editing and proofreading. And while The Chicago Manual of Style is her primary guide, she’s more than willing to utilize others preferred by her client.
Consequently, she’s a formidable editor of both LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. In her editing portfolio are Darnell L. Moore’s well-reviewed memoir No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America and CN Lester’s Trans Like Me: Conversations for All of Us.
Beth offers sample edits for aspiring authors. Contact her online for more information.
7. Hilary Doda
With over 20 years of relevant experience, Hilary is one of the most reputable editors in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She began as a line editor for Dream Pod 9 in 1998 and has since been an independent editor.
Other than line editing, her services include copy editing, editorial assessments, and developmental editing. Hilary is comfortable working on fiction and nonfiction — and she’s specifically interested in LGBTQ books. Previously, she edited Jennet Alexander’s amusing coming-of-age story I Kissed a Girl.
To make things easier for prospective clients, Hilary has listed her base rates online. However, the cost can vary depending on the work required, so you should still request a quote.
8. Auriane Desombre
Auriane Desombre is a resident of Los Angeles, California, with master’s degrees in Creative Writing and English Literature. Given her remarkable educational background, it’s no wonder that many clients have asked for her assistance once she became an independent editor in 2017.
As a published novelist and teacher, Auriane carefully looks into aspects such as plot, character writing, and authorial voice. From developmental edits to editorial assessments and query letter reviews, she’s proven her keen eye for quality storytelling.
Her editorial focus is on fiction. In the category of LGBTQ fiction, Auriane worked on Sonia Hartl’s The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story.
For more details, you can message Auriane online.
9. Jessica Hatch
In 2011, Jessica Hatch entered the Writers House as one of its agency interns. A decade later, this editor from Jacksonville, Florida, continues to earn praises from authors around the world. Thus, it’s clear that Jessica didn’t take her experience Fox Literary LLC and St. Martin’s Press for granted.
Jessica’s approach to editing involves ensuring the authorial voice and the main objective of the writing. Her services include copy editing, query letter reviews, proofreading, and developmental editing.
Fiction and nonfiction manuscripts alike are welcome — including LGBTQ projects in both fields. In fact, Jessica edited Monica McCallan’s lesbian romance novel Tapping into Love.
If you’re eager to work with her, you can request a quote.
10. Donald Weise
Donald Weise is one of the most respected editors in New York, New York. As the recipient of not only the Out100 Award but also the Lambda Literary Award, he’s worked for companies such as Publishers Weekly, Beacon, and Bantam.
So far, Donald has edited a total of six best-selling titles in fiction and nonfiction. From these results, no one can deny the quality of his developmental edits, copy edits, and editorial assessments.
His editing portfolio contains many LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction titles. From Charles Rice-Gonzalez’s Hispanic-American literary fiction Chulito to Michael H. Ward’s brilliant gay studies project The Sea is Quiet Tonight, Donald clearly knows how to refine LGBTQ storytelling.
This freelancer is open to inquiries about his service rates.
11. Larissa Melo Pienkowski
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Larissa Melo Pienkowski has been an independent editor since 2015. Over the years, she honed her editing skills and worked with the likes of Hub City Press, Dottir Press, and Tessera Editorial — and she has a master’s degree in publishing and writing from Emerson College.
Larissa offers copy editing, developmental editing, query letter reviews, proofreading, and editorial assessments. And as a queer Latinx individual in the publishing industry, Larissa is very much open to working on stories about the LGBTQ and other communities dear to her.
Her edited works include TJ Klune’s lauded LGBTQ YA novel Flash Fire (The Extraordinaries, #2) and Ryka Aoki’s sci-fi adventure Light from Uncommon Stars.
Larissa offers significant discounts for previous clients and those seeking multiple major editing services within the same period. Message her online for more details.
12. Jay Blotcher
With three decades of relevant experience, Jay Blotcher is a rare find among LGBTQ editors. Based in New York, New York, his work has helped authors attain publishing deals with big companies such as Random House and McGraw-Hill.
With more than 60 books under his belt, Jay is a bona fide top-tier editor. He’s comfortable with both fiction and nonfiction. And thanks to his journalist background, you’ll never worry about accidentally spreading misinformation.
This veteran editor’s services include copy editing, editorial assessments, and developmental editing on LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Hamour Baika’s political On the Enemy’s Side: Forbidden Love in an Iranian Prison and Gilbert Baker’s Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color are just two of the books he polished.
Jay is available for contact if you want to set an appointment.
13. Peter Senftleben
Here’s another fantastic editor from New York, New York. Peter Senftleben is currently a freelancer who previously worked for Kensington Publishing Corp. and Crooked Lane Books. He’s a big fan of commercial fiction and has edited over 250 books, several of which have become bestsellers and award-winners.
Peter conducts editorial assessments, developmental edits, and proofreading services on LGBTQ fiction. If you’ve read J. H. Trumble’s sports romance Don’t Let Me Go or Annabeth Albert’s holiday gay romance Wrapped Together, then you already know Peter’s greatness in editing.
Ask Peter for a quote when you’re ready to take your work to the next level.
14. Jasmine Gower
Beaverton, Oregon, is home to author and fiction editor Jasmine Gower. She studied at Portland State University and graduated with a master’s degree in book publishing. At the university, she offered her skills to Ooligan Press and realized her huge potential as an editor.
Jasmine provides excellent developmental edits — and the same can be said for her copy editing and editorial assessments. She edits LGBTQ fiction, which includes Unspeakable: A Queer Gothic Anthology, written by Celine Frohn, S. T. Gibson, and Jude Reid.
No matter the degree of edits you require, Jasmine is ready to help. Message her here.
15. Katharine Maller
Katharine Maller has a decade of experience as an editor. Situated in New York, New York, she started her career in the publishing industry as an editorial assistant for SoHo Publishing in 2012. From there, Katherine also became an editor at Dover Publications and Routledge.
She only edits nonfiction, particularly projects about design and the LGBTQ community. If you request her assistance, Katharine can handily perform both copy editing and proofreading. Previously, Katharine edited Patricia Highsmith’s classic LGBTQ novel The Price of Salt.
Interested storytellers can request a quote with just one click.
16. Nicole Frail
Apart from being an independent editor, Nicole Frail has also been a senior editor at Skyhorse Publishing since 2012. She’s based in Avoca, Pennsylvania, and has worked on over 100 books catering to everyone from children to adult readers.
As of now, Nicole offers editorial assessments, developmental edits, copy edits, and proofreading. She’s also open for both partial and complete project examinations. One of the most recent LGBTQ fiction she worked on is Amy Spalding’s The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles).
If you want more information about her amazing editing skills, contact Nicole online.
17. Anja Schmidt
You can never go wrong with someone as dedicated to her craft as Anja Schmidt. Located in Long Beach, New York, she’s the go-to nonfiction editor of many renowned publishing entities: HarperCollins, Quarto Books, Tiller Press, Penguin Random House, and Oxmoor House, to name a few.
Anja is interested in a variety of nonfiction topics such as cooking, history, and memoirs. Particularly, she was the editor of Jackson Bird’s Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir).
With at least 25 years of experience, Anja’s level of developmental editing and editorial assessments are hard to come by.
For her service rates, you can message Anja here.
18. Ashley Kuehl
Ashley Kuehl is an editor from Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more than six years, she shaped the editorial team at Lerner Publishing Group as she took on the role of associate editorial director, editorial director, and executive director.
Her focus is on nonfiction titles — and clients sought her the most for her superb editing of children’s and YA nonfiction. She always asks her clients the right questions and gives the best answers, ensuring that the editing process is fruitful and supportive rather than overbearing and non-cooperative.
Consequently, Ashley edited the phenomenal YA nonfiction title Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens, written by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke. And while she’s no slouch at copy-editing, she shines the most in proofreading and developmental editing.
Luckily for writers, Ashley is available for contact and appointment scheduling.
19. Amy Ewing
Many people know Amy Ewing as an accomplished (and best-selling) YA novelist, but she’s also a terrific editor. Located in New York, New York, she has a master’s degree in creative writing and teaches others about the storytelling process as an instructor.
Given her praiseworthy writing experience, Amy prefers assessing YA and middle-grade fiction. Whether you’re writing a quirky teen romance or a wholly distinct dystopian novel, she will be there to polish the character writing and narrative structure.
Apart from editorial assessments, Amy conducts developmental editing and query letter reviews. And in her portfolio, you’ll find Jessica Verdi’s LGBTQ YA romance The Summer I Wasn’t Me.
You should definitely inquire about her rates if you’d like to get your LGBTQ manuscript edited with care.