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If you’ve written a memoir and would like an editor to edit it for you, below we’ve featured 19 top memoir book editors.
1. Brooke Maddaford
Brooke Maddaford is an experienced non-fiction editor based in Denver, in the United States. She delivers developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading services for writers of biographies, memoirs, children’s non-fiction, and philosophy, among other non-fiction genres.
Brooke’s academic education includes certification from the University of Denver’s publishing institute, and a certificate in editing from the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago. Since 2006, she’s been editor-in-chief of her own editing operation. She’s edited books like “Society and the Environment: Pragmatic Solutions to Ecological Issues” by Michael Carolan, “The Social Dynamics of Family Violence” by Angela Hattery and Earl Smith, and “Children of the Movement” by John Blake.
Look to Brooke Maddaford to edit your next memoir.
2. Lindsay Newton
Based in Seattle, in the United States, Lindsay Newton has been a self-employed editor and publishing consultant for the last four years. Before switching over to freelance work, this professional editor has accrued experience from stints with Sourcebooks, Writers House Literary Agency, as well as the renowned publishing house Simon & Shuster.
Lindsay can provide writers with developmental editing, editorial assessments, and query letter reviews, for books written in American English. Her services extend to both fiction and non-fiction, from historical fiction and thriller and mysteries to non-fiction biographies and memoirs and self-improvement books. Take a look at some of her edits like “I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons” by Kevin Hart, “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, and “The German Girl” by Armando Lucas Correa.
Contact Lindsay Newton to tell her more about your work in progress!
3. Avalon Radys
Avalon Radys is an experienced editor who works out of her location in San Francisco, in the United States. In addition to her certificate in professional sequence in editing from UC Berkeley, Avalon has been the director of editorial operations since 2015 at Inkshares, after three years working in a similar position at Umano.
Avalon does developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading for fiction and non-fiction. Whether it is contemporary fiction, historical mysteries, horror novels or non-fiction books on travel or memoirs, Avalon is able to deliver top-notch editing. Take a look at samples of her work such as “The Savage Instinct” by Marjorie DeLuca, “A God in the Shed” by J-F Dubeau, and “Welcome to Deadland” by Zachary Tyler Linville.
Let Avalon Radys know more about your memoir and what sort of editing help you’ll be needing!
4. Elizabeth Lotito
Situated in Charlotte, in the United States, Elizabeth Lotito is a developmental and copy editor with experience in proofreading. She spent roughly seven years working at St. Martin’s Press as a senior associate editor before going freelance in 2016.
Elizabeth is able to work on fiction and non-fiction literature alike. She can take on projects like contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, and romance novels, and also biographies, memoirs, and non-fiction on health and wellbeing. “The Unquiet Dead” by Ausma Zehanat Khan, “4 3 2 1” by Paul Auster, and “A Quilt for Christmas” by Sandra Dallas are a number of titles that she’s edited in the past.
Go with Elizabeth Lotito today!
5. Megan Gerig
Megan Gerig wants writers to know that they’re not alone in their journey that will hopefully end in publication. The Columbus, Ohio-based editor offers reliable developmental editing and copy editing to writers working on fantasy, science fiction, and young adult novels, as well as non-fiction memoirs and children’s non-fiction.
After successfully completing a graduate certificate from UC Berkeley in editing, Megan started out as a self-employed editor in 2020. She’s since completed editing dozens of titles, including “The Thrall’s Sword” by Grace Caylor, “Fool’s Luck” by Dave Milbrandt, and “Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart” by Marilyn Nutter and April White.
Megan Gerig is ready and able to help push your book to where it needs to be before submitting it to publishers!
6. Andrea Baugher
Located in Columbus, Ohio in the United States, Andrea Baugher is a professional copy editor who is able to do proofreader for non-fiction books on sports, technology, health, and education, as well as children’s non-fiction, biographies, and memoirs.
Today, she’s an independent editor working with Teacher Peach, a position that she’s had for the last five years, before which she edited for companies like Red Line Editorial, Zaner-Bloser, and Nationwide Financial. She’s edited books like “The History of Law Enforcement” by Duchess Harris and Rebecca Morris, “Apple” by Judy Dodge Cummings, and “Netflix” by Alexis Burling.
Reach out to Andrea Baugher for editorial help on your next memoir.
7. Molly Spain
Coming from a background that features both academic education and professional experience in editing, writers can rest assured that they’re working with someone who can be trusted in Molly Spain. Working out of her location in Fort Worth, in Texas, in the United States, Molly is self-employed as a freelance editor and is also an assistant editor at TCU Press.
Molly’s editing services include copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment for books like historical fiction, literary fiction, and non-fiction books on art, history, music, philosophy, as well as biographies and memoirs. She’s completed edits on books like “The Iron Orchard” by Tom Pendleton, “Plum Creek” by W. W. McNeal, and “Outcry Witness” by Thomas Zigal.
Let Molly Spain know what kind of editing you’re looking for!
8. Jessica Hatch
Jacksonville, in the United States, is home to Jessica Hatch, an award-winning editor who does proofreading, query letter review, copy editing, and developmental editing for books written in British and American English. These include, but are not exclusive to, biographies, memoirs, LGBTQ fiction, and women’s fiction.
Jessica’s professional experience started as an intern at Writer’s House, followed by positions with Fox Literary LLC and St Marin’s Press. Since 2013, she’s been an independent editor, completing edits on books like “Back in Your Arms” by Monica McCallan, “Huntress” by A. E. Radley” and “The Night Portrait” by Laura Morelli.
Go with Jessica Hatch for your next edit!
9. Sandra Spicher
Sandra Spicher works out of Austin, Texas, in the United States, doing unparalleled editing for fiction and non-fiction books. She holds an MFA in fiction and screenwriting and has received accolades like the Michener Fellowship and the University of Texas Press Publishing Fellowship.
Sandra has been working as a freelance writer, editor, and indexer since 2008. She offers developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and indexing to those working on historical fiction, short stories, and women’s fiction, as well as memoirs and non-fiction books on entertainment and history. Take a look at some of her past edits in “A Plain Vanilla Murder” by Susan Wittig Albert, “Old Green World” by Jason Dewey Craft, and “The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting” by Jill Chamberlain.
Allow Sandra Spicher to provide you with the editorial support that will transform your next piece of writing!
10. Joshua Grubb
Situated in San Jose, in the United States, Joshua Grubb is dedicated to helping writers identify their vision and take their story to a new level. With a master’s degree in novel writing, he’s able to provide writers with support in the form of developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, query letter review, and editorial assessment.
Mainly focused on editing for non-fiction writers, Joshua’s editing is available for writers attempting to complete biographies, memoirs, Christian non-fiction, and books on health and well-being. Authors will be able to rely on the experience and skill of this professional, who has been a self-employed author and editor for over eleven years. Look at “There was Music” by J.D. Grubb and “End Average: A Man’s Journey to Growth in Faith, Relationships, Health and Finances” by Ryan Hansen for examples of his editing.
Contact Joshua Grubb today!
11. Sophia Dembling
Sophia Dembling is a professional editor located in Dallas, Texas. Past clients of hers comment on the quality of her work, her punctuality, and her professionalism during the entire editing process. She provides developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading for material written on a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction subject matter, including contemporary fiction, romance, self-improvement books, and memoirs.
After years of being a highly successful self-employed freelance author, Sophia transitioned into editing as a part of her independent business. Today, she’s been at it for about eleven years, and regularly demonstrates how her background in writing is an asset that allows her to observe and comment on aspects of her client’s writing that an editor without that sort of expertise would not be able to do. She has edited “I Am Not A Serial Killer” by Dan Wells, “Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk” by Kathleen Rooney, and “Warrior Won” by Meryl Davids Landau.
Speak to Sophia Dembling today!
12. Tom Berger
Based in San Diego, in the United States, Tom Berger is a professional editor with a background in English and journalism. He has a wealth of professional experience including working in finance, managing a medical center, in public relations, and in government work, all of which contribute to the depth of understanding that he is able to bring to his edits.
Today, Tom is a freelance editor and founder of Orange Street Editorial, which he established in 2007. He delivers developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter review for non-fiction books on biographies, memoirs, business, health, and LGBTQ non-fiction. You will want to take a look at some of his past completed edits, including “LGBTQ of Steel” by Jan Dee Gordon, “The Abell Book of Art and Verse” by Tyler Abell, and “The Quirky Contrarian: A Memoir…Or Is It?” By Daniel R. Collins.
Take a closer look at what Tom Berger has completed and what he can help you accomplish!
13. Rel Carroll
Rel Carroll is a multi-talented freelance professional working out of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States. Her range of professional competencies includes acting, writing, and editing. She’s had the benefit of working with renowned writers such as Brandon Sanderson and Jeff Benedict, all of which is an invaluable experience that she will bring to her interactions with her own clients.
Rel offers developmental editing for non-fiction biographies and memoirs, as well as fiction novels in genres including fantasy, romance, and science fiction. She has been freelance editing since 2019, completing edits for books like “What We Give” by Jitu Patel and “Harbor for the Nightingale” by Kathleen Baldwin.
Look into what else Rel has edited on her website!
14. Williamaye Jones
Situated in Houston, Texas, Williamaye Jones has been involved in writing and the publishing process for many years. After graduating with an MFA in creative writing, she started to offer freelance editing services in 2003, something that she has expanded to her current offerings of developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, query letter review, and indexing.
Williamaye is able to work on both fiction and non-fiction literature. Writers of historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance novels, and non-fiction ranging from memoirs to books on health and wellbeing will benefit from her expertise. Look at some of her past edits in books like “Rose Wine: The Guide to Drinking Pink” by Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, “Keep Me Safe” by Maya Banks, and “The Blinds” by Adam Sternbergh.
Contact Williamaye Jones today!
15. Laura Edge
Writers will not regret involving Laura Edge in their editing process. The award-winning writer provides editing services herself, doing developmental editing and copy editing and proofreading for manuscripts on a variety of topics, including Christian fiction, picture books, non-fiction biographies, and memoirs.
An extremely accomplished writer in her own right, Laura started editing in 1998 as an independent professional in the publishing field. She’s known for her ability to identify technical issues and communicate them to the writer in an encouraging manner. “The Sweetest Thing” by Christina Mandelski, “One Odd Day” by Doris Fisher et al, and Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World” by M.G. King are a number of books that she has edited in the past.
Rely on Laura Edge for your next memoir!
16. Ian Morris
From his home in Chicago, in the United States, Ian Morris provides writers with reliable developmental editing and copy-editing services. The professional freelance author and editor has been the managing editor of Columbia College Chicago since 2013. He has also published three of his own books and has firsthand experience of how challenging the publishing industry can be and, more importantly, how to succeed and get published.
Whether fiction or non-fiction, aspiring writers should look to Ian for professional support. He’s able to work on non-fiction biographies, memoirs, and books on history and publishing, as well as historical fiction, literary fiction, and short stories. Look into some of his past edits like “Forest Primeval” by Vievee Francis, “Principles of Social Change” by Leonard A. Jason, and “My Life as an Animal” by Laurie Stone.
Reach out to Ian Morris now!
17. George White
Los Angeles’ George White is a professional editor with a history of experience in the publishing world. Currently a freelancing editor, he’s also done editorial work for the UCLA Center for Communications and Community and the Los Angeles Times.
George offers developmental editing, copy editing editorial assessment, and proofreading for mainly non-fiction manuscripts, including biographies, memoirs, career guides, and books on history, political science, and current affairs. “Expect the Most – Provide the Best” by Robert L. Green, “Changing Channels: The Civil Rights Case that Transformed Television” by Kay Mills, and “Sweatshop Slaves 2006 Asian Americans in the Garment Industry” by Kent Wong and Julie Monroe are a few examples of books that he has edited.
Start a conversation with George White now!
18. Laura Dragonette
Laura Dragonette has been working as a copy editor and publishing professional for over seven years. With professional stints at well-known companies like W. W. Norton & Company, St. Martin’s Press, and Yale University Press, writers can be sure that they’re working with someone with the appropriate level of experience to elevate their book in advance of publication.
Laura’s editorial services include copy editing and proofreading for books written in American English, including non-fiction biographies and memoirs, as well as science fiction, women’s fiction, and literary fiction. She’s edited “The Book of Summer” by Michelle Gable, “Dog Dish of Doom” by E.J. Copperman, and “Mothers of Sparta” by Dawn Davies.
Allow Laura Dragonette to help you with your work in progress!
19. Donald Weise
Situated in New York, Donald Weise is known for his excellent editing, professional attitude, and personable approach to his relationships with clients. The writing professional has been a freelance editor and author for over fourteen years. He’s been recognized by the Out 100 Award and is a recipient of the Lambda Literary Award.
From developmental editing and copy editing to query letter review, writers can go to Donald Weise for any number of requests for support regarding their writing journey. He works on books from a whole range of genres, from LGBTQ fiction, literary fiction, and mystery, to non-fiction memoirs, and books about political science and history. Look at samples of his editing in “Basketball Jones” by E. Lynn Harris, “Chulito” by Charles Rice-Gonzalez, and “The Sea Is Quiet Tonight” by Michael H. Ward.
Contact Donald Weise for more information!