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If you’re an author in America who needs someone to edit your book, below we’ve featured 19 top book editors in the US.
1. Kelly Lydick
Kelly Lydick is a freelance professional editor based in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States. A 15-year veteran in the publishing and writing industry, she has worked for various different organizations, including Avalon Travel, as well as Northern Arizona’s Thin Air literary magazine. She’s been a freelancing editor since 2018, the owner of The Story Laboratory, a publishing consulting company.
Kelly’s editorial services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and query letter review. She’s able to deliver quality editing for a number of different genres of writing, including non-fiction business and travel as well as poetry, romance, and mystery novels. She’s edited “Zero to Sold: How to Start, Run, and Sell a Bootstrapped Business” by Arvid Kahl, “Rick Steves Iceland” by Rick Steves and Ian Watson, and “Marketing Strategy: A Beginner’s Guide to B2B Marketing Success” by Jason W. Simmons.
Speak to Kelly Lydick today!
2. Chris Evans
Based in New York City, New York, Chris Evans is an experienced editor who has worked on a number of award-winning books over his twenty years of work experience in the industry. Writers go to Chris for developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter reviews. His specialties include fiction like action, fantasy, and historical fiction, and non-fiction topics including biographies, history, and political science.
Since 2000, Chris has been serving as senior acquisitions editor for a number of reputable publishers, including Random House, Stackpole Books, and Skyhorse Publishing. Writers working with Chris can rest assured that they’re working with someone who has contributed to hundreds of published titles, and knows firsthand what makes a book successful. Take a look at some of his edited books, including “Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944” by Joseph Balkoski, “One Killer Force” by Dalton Fury, and “Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq” by Kirsten Holmstedt and Tammy Duckworth.
Contact Chris Evans now!
3. Stephanie Kawada
Los Angeles, California is home to Stephanie Kawada, a professional editor in multiple technical non-fiction fields. She has the academic background and know-how to deliver accurate, relevant edits to books on non-fiction subject matter including biographies, medicine, philosophy, psychology, and technology.
Early in her career, Stephanie worked for twenty-five years at the Society of Critical Care Medicine as their managing editor. After leaving in 2000, she joined IEEE Computer Society as their production editor, as well as freelancing as an editor at the same time. Her ability to reliable, informed, and insightful edits to texts in two very different academic fields is unrivaled. You’ll want to take a look at some of her work for yourself, including “Strategic Excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries: How AEC Firms Can Develop and Execute Strategy Using Lean Six Sigma” by Gerhard Plenert and Joshua Plenert, “Liberal Arts of Management: A Toolkit for Today’s Leaders” by James Maroosis and “Mabel Daniels: An American Composer in Transition” by Maryann McCabe.
Rely on Stephanie Kawada for your next non-fiction manuscript.
4. Heather Pendley
An indexer, proofreader, and copy editor, Heather Pendley can do just about everything you’ll want to ask of her as a professional editor. Based in San Diego, California, the highly qualified editor is ACES-certified in copy editing, accredited by the UCSD Grammar Lab, and has certification from UC Berkeley in Indexing Theory and Acquisition. Since 2014, she’s been working as a self-employed copy editor and proofreader.
Heather is able to work on texts written in Canadian, American, and British English. She edits fiction books like action and women’s fiction and non-fiction titles including biographies, and books on business, education, finance, social sciences, and self-improvement. Check out some of the books that she’s edited in the past, like “The Early Career Researcher’s Toolbox: Insights Into Mentors, Peer Review, and Landing a Faculty Job” by Andres De Los Reyes, “How to Win Medicare Appeals” by David Mullens, and “Along Comes The Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits” by Russ Giguere, Ashley Wren Collins, and David Geffen.
Let Heather Pendley take a look at your work in progress!
5. Michael Sandlin
Michael Sandlin has been working as a book editor since 2005. During that time, he’s done developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading for hundreds of authors. Although he prefers to work on non-fiction literature, including biographies, and books on the humanities, political science, and current affairs, the Houston, Texas-based editor is more than capable of editing for fiction like comedy, literary fiction, and historical fiction.
Michael’s been responsible for the successful edits of hundreds of books and has worked alongside reputable organizations such as the Oxford University Press, the University Press of Florida, and the University of New England Press. “How Should We Live: A Practical Approach to Everyday Morality” by John Kekes, “Green Suede Shoes: An Irish-American Odyssey” by Larry Kirwan, and “Thousand Mile Song: Whale Music in a Sea of Sound” by David Rothenberg are all books that he’s edited.
Take a look at more of what Michael Sandlin has edited here.
6. Elizabeth Copps
Situated in Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth Copps is a literary agent and freelance editor with years of experience in developmental editing. Former clients will describe her as detailed, approachable, and knowledgeable. She holds a bachelor of arts in English literature and communication and is a member of the Editorial Freelancer’s Association and the Association of Author’s Representatives.
With biographies as the lone exception, Elizabeth focuses her editorial services on fiction books, such as historical fiction, literary fiction, and books on horror, mystery, and for young adults. She’s edited books like “The Girl They Left Behind” by Roxanne Veletzos, “The Boatman’s Daughter” by Andy Davidson, and “Promises of the Heart” by Nan Rossiter.
Speak to Elizabeth Copps today!
7. Elizabeth DeNoma
A Fulbright Scholar and SWEA Literary Scholar, Elizabeth DeNoma is also a professional developmental editor and writer’s consultant based in Seattle, Washington State, in the United States. She’s been working since 2012 as a freelance editor of both fiction and non-fiction works of writing. Her style of feedback is considerate of the author’s intention, critical but still delivered in a generous and understanding tone.
Elizabeth’s editing services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review. She’s able to work on books of non-fiction such as biographies and about social sciences, as well as historical fiction, LGBTQ fiction, and other fiction novel genres. “Go: A Coming of Age Novel” by Kazuki Kaneshiro and Takami Nieda, “The Murmur of Bees” by Sofia Segovia and Simon Bruni, and “Your Perfect Year” by Charlotte Lucas and Alison Layland are a number of books that she has worked on in the past.
Go with Elizabeth DeNoma for your next manuscript!
8. Alyssa Matesic
Working out of her base in San Francisco, California, Alyssa Matesic is a writing professional who has the academic and professional experience to get you where you need your book to be. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor of arts in English and American Literature, as well as a certificate in book publishing. She has edited for various reputable publishing houses in the past, including The Book Group, Macmillan, Gibson Square Books, and Penguin Random House.
Currently, Alyssa works as a freelance editor, a position she stepped into in 2018. Her services in developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review can benefit fiction authors writing contemporary fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, and books in similar genres of fiction. Alyssa’s editing can be seen in novels like “Believe Me” by J.P. Delaney, “Something in the Water” by Catherine Steadman, and “Keep You Close” by Karen Cleveland.
Let Alyssa Matesic take your novel to a new level!
9. Constance Renfrow
An award-winning writer in her own right, Constance Renfrow is a professional editor and provides writers with a reliable option for professional-level support. Her strength lies in working mainly on works in progress of fiction novels, including LGBTQ fiction, literary fiction, short stories, historical fiction, and other related genres.
Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Constance worked at Skyhorse Publishing from 2012 to 2014 as an assistant editor before moving to Three Rooms Press to take the position of lead editor, a role she worked at for four years. “Weird Girl and What’s His Name” by Meagan Brothers, “Swing State” by Michael T. Fournier, and “Warriors” by William B. McCloskey are a number of books that Constance Renfrow has helped go from draft to publication.
Speak to Constance Renfrow today!
10. Lindsay Conner
Indianapolis, Indiana is home to Lindsay Conner, an experienced editing professional who has been working as an editor since 2005. Strictly specialized in non-fiction on travel, DIY, and crafts, writers in those areas will find that there are few who can rival Lindsay’s insight and specialized knowledge in those areas. If you’re a writer looking to get published in those niche fields, you’ll be interested in the developmental editing and proofreading that Lindsay Conner is offering.
Lindsay’s career started in 2005 at Wiley Publishing, where she spent over seven years working as a production editor. Around the same time, she started her own brand as a self-employed editor, a position that she retains even after leaving her post at Wiley Publishing in 2012. You can see her editing at work in books like “Frommer’s Thailand” by Ashley Niedringhaus, “Frommer’s Athens and the Greek Islands” by Stephen Brewer, and “Frommer’s Australia” by Lee Mylne.
Reach out to Lindsay Conner to talk about your manuscript!
11. Alex Thomas
Alex Thomas is a writer, proofreader, and editor working out of Columbus, Ohio. His experience in developmental editing and editorial assessment comes from his own experience as a published author, as well as more than seven years of working as a freelance editor. His areas of professional interest lie in editing fantasy and science fiction.
Specific to the genres of his interest, Alex has many years of freelance editing for organizations specifically devoted to the genres of books of science fiction and fantasy. He has worked as a freelance editor for Green Ronin Publishing since 2013, in addition to over seven years spent freelancing for New Millennium Games. He’s edited books like “Life2” by Aisha Tritle, Fractured Ever After: A Collection of Fairy Tale Retellings” by Heather Hayden et al, and “Mutants & Masterminds: Basic Hero’s Handbook” by Steve Kenson.
Go with Alex Thomas for your next science fiction or fantasy masterpiece!
12. Tiffany Tyer
A successful graduate of UC Berkeley with a certificate in Professional Sequence in Editing, Tiffany Tyer is a professional editor based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has experience working with writers looking to get published, with a focus on authors of fiction. Her editing and proofreading services are available for non-fiction books on health and travel, as well as those that fall in the romance or comedy fiction genres.
Tiffany’s editing experience includes stints with companies like Entangled Publishing, in addition to experience accrued as a writer herself for reputable names such as Macmillan Publishers and Penguin Random House. Since 2015, she’s worked as a freelance editor completing edits on books such as “Full Package” by Lauren Blakely, “Nova” by Rebecca Yarros, and “Playing the Player” by Amy Andrews.
Rely on Tiffany Tyer’s talent for editing for your next book!
13. Jessica Hatch
Jessica Hatch is an experienced book editor based in Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States. Past clients rave about her professionalism, transparency, and genuine passion in her client’s writing. Her areas of professional interest include editing for biographies, self-help books, LGBTQ fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, and others.
Since 2013, Jessica has been a self-employed editor. She has also worked for a number of publishing agencies, such as St. Martin’s Press, Fox Literary LLC, and Writer’s House. “Huntress” by A.E. Radley, “The Gondola Maker” by Laura Morelli, and “Keep Dancing” by Leslie Wells are a few books that demonstrate her editing skill.
Speak to Jessica Hatch today!
14. Jessica Lee Anderson
A writer and editor with a background in education, Jessica Lee Anderson knows all about creating the perfect book for children. Situated in Austin, Texas, the editor has made children’s literature her life work, and she now mainly edits for children’s non-fiction, as well as picture books for children and books for middle grade and young adults.
Jessica has been editing since 2005 as a freelancer, helping dozens of writers find success in the form of publication. In addition, she’s worked at the Institute of Children’s Literature as an editor and instructor, as well as St. Edward’s University as an adjunct professor on children’s literature. Books that she’s edited include “Solstice” by P.J. Hoover, “Shortcuts” by Amy Bearce, and “The Canadian Inuit Dog: Icon of Canada’s North” by Kim Han.
Reach out to Jessica Lee Anderson now!
15. Shelly Davis
San Jose, California is where Shelly Davis, professional copy editor, and developmental editor, calls home. A member of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) and the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association (WFWA), Shelly offers editing and proofreading services to fiction writers of historical fiction and women’s fiction.
Shelly worked as an HR manager for over a decade before transitioning to working for herself as a freelance editor, starting in 2008. Since then, she’s worked with clients of all sizes including large companies and independent authors. She’s responsible for editing books like “Out of the Bronx: A Memoir” by Irene Sardanis, “Bound: A Daughter, a Domme, and an End-of-Life Story” by Elizabeth Anna Wood, and “Love Proof” by Luanne Steward.
Contact Shelly Davis about your own manuscript!
16. Jain Lemos
Jain Lemos specializes in developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessment for writers of historical fiction, non-fiction biographies, and books on photography and self-improvement. With over twenty-five years of experience editing for top editing companies, the Dallas, Texas-based editor knows what is expected of books and is able to lend her experience and insight to her clients.
Jain has been working as a self-employed editor since 2005. Clients describe her as being able to skillfully manage the balance between suggesting changes and maintaining the original essence of the text. For more examples of Jain Lemos’s editing, look into “Write, Open Act: An Intentional Life Planning Workbook” by Lee S. Weinstein, “The Gourmet Prescription: High Flavor Recipes for Lower Carbohydrate Diets” by Deborah Chud, and “I Can’t Always See My Path…But I Keep On Walking” by Richard Turner.
Jain Lemos can provide your book with the boost you need!
17. Gregory Dobie
Located in San Antonio, Texas, Gregory Dobie has been providing writers with a reliable resource for editing since starting out as a freelance editor in 1993. His past clients include Cornell University Press, Chronicle Books and the Getty Education Institute for the Arts, to name a few more prominent names.
Gregory is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a master’s degree in bicultural studies. and has also worked as an adult educator. He edits mainly for non-fictional material, on architecture, art education, history, and other genres of writing. He’s worked on books such as “Donald Sultan: The Disaster Paintings” by Alison Hearst et al, “John Baldessari Catalogue Raisonne: Volume Six: 2011-2019” by Patrick Pardo et al, and “Art & Science: A Curriculum for K-12 Teachers from the J. Paul Getty Museum” by Elizabeth Nicholson.
Speak to Gregory Dobie today!
18. Shana Murph
A specialist in editing for books on African-American life and women’s studies, Shana Murph is a professional developmental editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has worked with publication houses such as the Perseus Books Group, Elsevier, and David C. Cook. She can edit books including African American fiction and literary fiction, as well as non-fiction books on education, health, and medicine.
After graduating with a bachelor’s of arts in English, Shana worked at a number of companies in different roles. From her position at Elsevoir as a developmental editor, to project development editor at Wolters Kluwer, she’s gained an incredible resume and amount of experience that writers will benefit from. “Ask Me Why I’m Not In Church: A Call for the Church to Get out of the Building” by An Anderson and Canty Production, “Let’s Be Clear: Chronicling The Constant Struggle and Overcoming Spirit of Black Women” by K.A. Freeman, and “Alex Haley: The 30th Anniversary Edition: Roots” by Alex Haley are a number of books she has edited.
Rely on Shana Murph for your next work in progress!
19. Caroline Macon Fleischer
Chicago, Illinois is home to Caroline Macon Fleischer, a writer, and editor able to work on books across a wide range of subject matter. She’s edited for groups like Rose Metal Press and Curbside Splendor Publishing in the past. Past clients and those who know her work describe her as careful, thoughtful, and considerate of the writer’s original intention.
Caroline holds an MFA in writing and publishing, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a BFA in playwriting. Her editing services, including developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading, are available for authors of literary fiction, non-fiction biographies, plays, and women’s fiction. Take a look at her editing in books like “A Heart to Love” by Sandra Horton, “Liliane’s Balcony: A Novella of Fallingwater” by Kelcey Parker, and “Juventud” by Vanessa Blakeslee.
Connect with Caroline Macon Fleischer and speak about your manuscript today!
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