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Have you written a middle grade novel? Are you now looking for a book editor? We’ve featured 19 top middle grade fiction editors below for your perusal.
1. Anna Reisz
Anna Reisz is a professional editor who has experience in developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter review. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in education in from Franklin College and is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association.
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Anna prides herself on being extremely collaborative. She mainly works on fiction, including contemporary fiction, epic fantasy, books for young adults, and fiction for middle graders. She’s been a contracted editor at The Antelope Journal Publication since 2020 and has been a freelancing book editor since 2020 as well.
Speak to Anna Reisz today!
2. Emily Delagrange
Columbus, Ohio is home to Emily Delagrange, an experienced editor with experience in various fields. At her alma mater of The Ohio State University, Emily worked as a writing tutor, which led to her start with Bright Ideas Press as a writer and editor. Since 2017, she’s been working as an independent proofreader and copyeditor, doing developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
Emily’s road to editing has given her a more well-rounded approach to the industry and allows her to be extremely relatable to writers. She edits both fiction and non-fiction, from fiction for middle graders and short stories, to non-fiction about education, social sciences, and writing. A few samples of her work include “Simple Solutions Common Core English Grammar 3”, published through Bright Ideas Press, and “Simple Solutions Minutes a Day” by Revewcca Toukonen.
Contact Emily Delagrange today!
3. Bridget Ball
A graduate of Cambridge University with an undergraduate degree in art history, Bridget Ball is a highly educated writer and editor. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, she offers developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessments, and proofreading. She also writes professional book reviews, experiences that she will be able to convey to her clients looking for advance feedback on their works in progress.
Bridget focuses her editing work on fiction and is able to support fiction for middle graders and young adults, as well as literary fiction, historical mysteries, and coming of age novels. For the last five years, she’s been working at Online Book Club, in addition to her freelance editing. You may want to check out a few of the titles that she’s edited, such as “On Mystic Mountain” by Tabatha Waybright, “One Way or Another: A Friends to Lovers Contemporary Romance” by Mary J. Williams, and “Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek” by Maya Van Wagenen.
Rely on Bridget Ball for your next novel for middle graders!
4. Nell McPherson
Situated in Jacksonville, Florida, Nell McPherson is a professional editor. She offers developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading services, and editorial assessments to authors working on books written in both American and British English.
Nell capably handles editing for fiction and non-fiction books. She’s able to take on science fiction, short stories, fiction for middle graders, literary fiction, and Christian fiction, as well as various genres of non-fiction books including economics and history. Currently, she works as a freelance copy editor at Callisto Media, a post that she’s held since 2014. She has edited books like “The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build, and Accelerate Your Brand” by Karen Leland, “SELF” by Joel B Kimmel, and “The Magic of Circles: A Math Adventure” by Gail Larson.
Go with Nell McPherson for your next manuscript!
5. Salima Alikhan
Salima Alikhan has been working in and around books for years. She is currently an editor at Yellow Bird Editors, where she’s been working since 2011 in addition to her position as a professor of creative writing and English at St. Edward’s University. She is also an experienced author and illustrator who has published over twenty books in various genres since her start in 2006.
In Salima, writers will get an experienced editor capable of developmental editing, proofreading, and editorial assessments. She focuses on fiction for middle graders, picture books, fantasy, and adventure. A number of titles she’s edited are “Dangerous Play” by Emma Kress, “Six Angry GIrls” by Adrienne Kisner, and “Red Moon Rising” by K.A. Holt.
Contact Salima Alikhan today.
6. Britta Jensen
Austin, Texas is home to Britta Jensen, professional author and editor of everything from fiction for middle graders, young adult fiction, science fiction, short stories, women’s fiction, and epic fantasy. With a master’s degree in literature and composition, Britta has experience in writing, teaching about, editing amazing books.
After a decade of working as an educator with the Department of Defense Education Activity, Britta began working with Yellowbird Editors as an editor and writing coach in 2019, in addition to her work as a freelance editor. She’s edited books like “Second Chance” by W. Stone Cotter, “Chemical Detective” by Fiona Erskine, and “Iphigenia Murphy” by Sara Hosey.
Speak to Britta Jensen about your literary vision!
7. Kara Levy
Kara Levy is a certified editor capable of delivering developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, query letter reviews, and editorial assessments to authors working in British English, American English, and Canadian English. Since 2004, she has run her own business, Kara Levy Editorial + Coaching, which provides developmental editing, writing coaching, and related services to writers.
Kara edits a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. Writers working on non-fiction books on business, history, humanities, or writing fiction for middle graders, science fiction or literary fiction should look into how she can help you advance your work in progress. Take a look at her editing in books like “My Lady Jane” by Cynthia Hand et al, “Four-Handed Monster: Four-Hand Piano Playing and Nineteenth Century Culture” by Adrian Daub, and “MILA 2.0: Redemption” by Debra Driza.
Reach out to Kara Levy today!
8. Karen Harrington
Based in Dallas, Texas, Karen Harrington is an award-winning freelance writer and editor. Winner of Air & Space Magazine’s Best Children’s Book of 2016 and Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016, her editorial services include developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter reviews for writers of fiction for middle graders, short stories, young adults and coming of age.
Writers will quickly see the value of working with an editor who also writes. Karen will be able to provide her own unique perspective into every edit she provides, respecting the writer’s vision but giving them the benefit of an opinion of a successful, published writer. Take a look at some of the books that she’s written, including “Mayday”, “Sure Signs of Crazy” and “Courage for Beginners.”
Reach out to Karen Harrington to see if she can help with your manuscript!
9. Annie Nybo
Annie Nybo is a professional book editor who is all about children’s literature. She looks to support writers of children’s non-fiction, fiction for middle graders, picture books urban fantasy, and contemporary fiction with her offerings of developmental editing and editorial assessment services.
Annie’s career in editing is impressive, with stops at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Simon & Schuster, and Albert Whitman & Company. Since 2019, she’s been working as a freelance editor and is known for her professionalism, accuracy, and clear communication with clients. “Daughters of Ruin” by K.D. Castner, “Shimmer and Burn” by Mary Taranta, and “The Spy with the Red Balloon” by Katherine Locke are among titles that Annie Nybo has edited.
Look into working with Annie Nybo!
10. Catherine Nichols
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Catherine Nichols has been a freelance writer and editor for almost twelve years. Since 2010, she has provided developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, query letter reviews, and editorial assessments for children’s non-fiction, books about DIY, and fiction for middle graders, among other genres of writing.
Graduating with an undergraduate degree in English from CUNY, Catherine has experience working with reputable names in publishing including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and DK. She has edited books like “The Beast of Blackslope” by Tracy Barrett, “Goosebumps HorrorLand #19: The Horror at Chiller House” by R.L. Stine, and “Baby Sign Language” by Sarah Christensen Fu.
Catherine Nichols can help you complete the book that you are writing for middle graders!
11. Laura Parnum
Laura Parnum is a professional editor and proofreader for fiction, including books for middle graders, young adults, literary fiction, and horror. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Laura provides writers an opportunity to work with a certified editor who can do copy editing, proofreading, editorial assessments, and query letter reviews.
An active member of the Editorial Freelancers Associations and active with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Laura has spent years accumulating editing experience with organizations like Harcourt, Elsevier, and W. B. Saunders. She’s currently an independent fiction editor and proofreader and has at the position since 2017. She edited “Wide Awake: The Goddess Chronicles Book 1” by K.B. Anne, “Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle” by Hilda Eunice Burgos, and “Falling: A Faraway High Fairytale” by Scarlett Kol.
Let Laura Parnum take care of your next manuscript!
12. Eric Bell
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to Eric Bell, a traditionally published author and professional editor capable of developmental editing, copy editing, and query letter review. His specialties lie in working on fiction for middle graders, as well as fantasy fiction for middle graders.
Eric has been self-employed as a copyeditor since 2017 and started editing as a contracted editor with Yellowbird Editing in 2018. Books that he has edited include “This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him Them, and Us” by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby, “Thanks a lot, Universe” by Chad Lucas, and “Lola Shapes the Sky” by Wendy Greenley and Paolo Domeniconi.
Speak to Eric Bell now!
13. Cynthia Merrill
Cynthia Merrill has been an independent editor for over three years. She works out of Phoenix, Arizona and works on books written in American English. Her editorial services include developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and query letter review, on non-fiction biographies and fiction for middle graders, science fiction, and contemporary fiction, among other subjects.
An avid reader herself, Cynthia brings the breadth and depth of her accumulated experience with literature to her work. Authors will benefit from working with her academic background as well, as a successful graduate of Brigham Young University, where she studied editing and publishing. Look in detail at the works that she’s helped get to publication, including “The Homemaking Handbook: A Practical Guide to Managing Home and Family Without Losing Yourself” by Alina Lauren and “Rebellion: The Departure” by Mason Allan.
Reach out to Cynthia Merrill for editorial support!
14. Gene Hult
Houston, Texas’ Gene Hult is a self-employed writer and editor who has many years of experience helping writers find success. His professional career includes working as a managing editor at the Denver Quarterly, as an editor at Daniel Weiss Associates, and senior editor at Scholastic. Currently, Gene focuses on his freelance business and teaches English at San Jacinto College South.
Gene works on books written in British and American English and can deliver developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading for fiction including fantasy, LGBTQ fiction, literary fiction, and fiction written for middle graders. His editing can be seen in books like “R for Revenge” by Francine Pascal, “Catherine Lescault” by Walter Idlewind, and “Spirit Guides” by Rosemarie Koch.
Get in touch with Gene Hult today!
15. Esther Reisberg
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Esther Reisberg is a publishing professional with experience in copy editing and proofreading. Currently a self-employed editor, she’s worked for an impressive number of well-known companies in the industry, including Phoenix International Publications, Inc, Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishing, and Scholastic.
Although she will also work on children’s non-fiction, Esther does most of her work on books of fiction, Authors working on fiction for middle graders, picture books, women’s fiction, romantic comedies, or books for young adults should make a point to look up this accomplished and talented editor. For more samples of her work, look at “You, Me, and Our Heartstrings” by Melissa See, “Paradise Girls: A Nove” by Sandy Gingras, and “Flirting with Fate” by J.C. Cervantes.
Start a conversation with Esther Reisberg!
16. Auriane Desombre
Holding an MFA in creative writing and a master’s grade in English literature, there should be no doubt as to Auriane Desombre’s competency in understanding and commenting on English writing. Since 2017, the Los Angeles-based professional has been self-employed as a freelance fiction editor, doing developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review for LGBTQ fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fantasy.
Clients rave about Auriane’s ability to transform their writing into something marketable. She reads between the lines and is extremely communicative, encouraging, and always looking to understand the writer’s vision a bit better. You can see her editing in books like “Love from Scratch” by Kaitlyn Hill, “Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and “Last Chance Books” by Kelsey Rodkey.
Connect with Auriane Desombre now!
17. Sarah Johansson
Los Angeles, California is home to Sarah Johansson, a former digital production assistant at Bloomsbury Publishing and current freelance editor and proofreader. She holds a master’s degree in postcolonial literature and is able to capably handle both American English and British English as a professional editor.
Sarah’s areas of interest include non-fiction books on cooking, food, history, and political science, as well as fiction for middle graders, short stories, young adults, and historical fiction. Her past edits include books like “The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence and the Pillage of an Empire” by William Dalrymple, “POLPO: A Venetian Cookbook (Of Sorts)” by Russell Norman, and “River Cottage Gluten Free” by Naomi Devlin.
Speak to Sarah Johansson today!
18. Sara Schonfeld
Sara Schonfeld has been editing for a total of almost seven years. After working as an editorial assistant and assistant editor at Penguin Random House from 2014 to 2019, she moved over to her current post at Harper Collins as an Associate Editor. She provides developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment.
Sara will work on children’s non-fiction, but most of her work is in fiction, including fiction for middle graders, picture books, family issues, and young adult fantasy. She’s been certified through Penguin Random House’s Emerging Editors Program, as well as Editing Children’s and YA Books Across Cultures. Her editing portfolio includes “Unchosen” by Katharyn Blair, “Ghost Girl” by Ally Malinenko, and “The Cookie Book of Colors” by Holly Fox.
Contact Sara Schonfeld for more information!
19. Lana Barnes
Situated in New York, Lana Barnes is a professional editor. She offers unparalleled copy editing and proofreading for fiction authors of Christian fiction, picture books, fiction for middle graders, young adults, contemporary romance, and coming of age fiction. Since 2015, she has been freelancing as an editor and production artist.
With a master’s degree in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, writers can rest assured that Lana is an expert on English writing and has a firm grasp of what makes a book successful. Additionally, her professional career includes working with companies like Harper Collins, Candlewick Press, Adams Media, and Penguin Random House. Her editing can be seen in books like “A Book of Spirits and Thieves” by Morgan Rhodes, “We Built This City” by Matt London, and “Spindle Fire” by Lexa Hillyer.
Let Lana Barnes know what you envision for your book and see how she can help!