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If youโre looking for young adult book editors, weโve featured 19 below for your convenience.
1. Lori Goldstein
A successful author and freelance editor, Lori Goldstein is based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her writing skills have been recognized by some of the most successful companies in the publishing industry, which is why she has several titles on the backlists of Macmillan and Penguin Random House.
Specializing in both fiction and nonfiction, Lori is mainly interested in urban fantasy, young adult fiction, and biographies & memoirs, to give some examples. โThe Woodโ, by Chelsea Bobulski, and โWanderlostโ, by Jen Malone might give you an idea of her preferences.
If youโre looking for developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, query letter review, or editorial assessment services, feel free to request a quote from Lori here.
2. Jon Reyes
Jon Reyes is a New York City-based freelance editor whose professional experience includes journalism, television media, and restaurant operations. Besides his freelance career, he is also an editor and authenticity reader at Tessera Editorial.
Jon is really passionate about fiction, so young adult, romantic comedy, thriller & suspense, and contemporary romance authors would definitely benefit from his guidance. To get an idea of his portfolio, you should look up โWild Tongues Can’t Be Tamedโ, by Saraciea J. Fennell, and โReclaim the Starsโ, by Zoraida Cordova.
Quotes for copy editing, developmental editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading services can be requested here.
3. Amy Ewing
Living in New York City, NY, Amy Ewing is a freelance editor, HarperCollins author, and creative writing instructor at the Bronx Loaf Writing Program. With an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and extensive experience in working with clients of all kinds, Amy can help any writer improve their book.
In terms of services, she can provide copy editing, proofreading, and developmental editing. Middle grade & young adult fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, and fantasy are Amyโs main interests.
If you want to see whether she has the skills youโre looking for in an editor, check out โAnd She Wasโ and โThe Summer I Wasnโt Meโ by Jessica Verdi. Quotes can be requested here.
4. Alison Cherry
A New York City-based freelancer with around 9 years of experience in the publishing industry, Alison Cherry has a practical approach when it comes to improving books. Her client list is quite long, and she is currently collaborating with Candlewich, Sourcebooks, and Scholastic, to give some examples.
With an undying passion for stories, Alison specializes in young adult fiction, fantasy, and thriller & suspense, among other genres. โLucky Girlโ, by Amanda Maciel, and โThe Sandcastle Empireโ, by Kayla Olson might give you an idea of her preferences.
To learn more about Alison and to request a quote for query letter review, editorial assessment, proofreading, copy editing, or developmental editing services, access this page.
5. Sean Fletcher
Specializing in developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment, Sean Fletcher is a Denton-based freelancer with around 15 years of experience in the publishing industry. Besides his freelance career, he is currently a speaker, workshop leader, and developmental editor at Andrea Hurst and Associates.
Sean loves fiction, which is why he specializes in young adult fantasy, urban fantasy, and action & adventure, to name some genres. To get an idea of his portfolio, look up โDragon Family (Alveria Dragon Akademy’s Untameables Book 3)โ, by Ava Richardson.
If youโre thinking about collaborating with Sean, feel free to request a quote here.
6. Liz Gilbeau
Editor of โThe Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1)โ, by Suzanne Collins, Liz Gilbeau is an experienced freelancer who lives in Vernon, Vermont. She also works as a proofreader at Oak Meadow, where she edits a wide range of textbooks.
However, Lizโs main passion is fiction โ middle grade & young adult fantasy, humor & comedy, and contemporary fiction are some of the genres on her list. To get familiar with her portfolio, you should definitely take a look at โThe Raven Boysโ, by Maggie Stiefvater.
Those who are interested in working with Liz can request a quote from her here.
7. Amber Smith
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Amber Smith is an accomplished author and freelance editor with a diverse career. Her passion for art led to her journey in the publishing industry, as she is determined to make the voices of visual artists heard.
While Amberโs B.F.A. in Painting, M.A. in Art History, and experience as a curator make her one of the best editors for any art book, she also specializes in middle grade & young adult fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, and biographies & memoirs. She doesnโt provide information on the YA projects she has worked on so far, but you can still check out โThe Way I Used to Beโ and โCode Name: Serendipityโ, which are two of her own titles.
If youโre looking for developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, or editorial assessment services, feel free to request a quote from Amber here.
8. Stephanie Taylor
An Athens-based author and freelance editor with 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, Stephanie Taylor knows exactly how to make a writerโs dream come to life.
She can provide copy editing, developmental editing, and proofreading services to fiction authors, particularly when it comes to young adult fiction, historical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense, to name some genres.
โThe Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella Complexโ, by Rebekah L. Purdy, and โForest Trialsโ, by Ariana S. Thomas are two titles that will help you learn a bit about Stephanieโs past projects. To request a quote, access this page.
9. Lara Kennedy
Living in Brigham City, Utah, Lara Kennedy is a seasoned freelance editor who has previously worked at Wiley & Sons and Scholastic Inc.
With a B.A. in English and a 9-year career, Lara is versatile enough to work on any type of book. Even so, the genres she is mainly interested in are middle grade & young adult fantasy, religion & spirituality, and childrenโs nonfiction, to give some examples. In terms of services, she can provide both copy editing and proofreading.
Those who are curious about Laraโs portfolio should check out โOut of the Fireโ, by Andrea Contros, and โThe Girl from the Seaโ, by Molly Knox Ostertag. Quotes can be requested here.
10. Katherine Locke
Specializing in contemporary romance and young adult fiction, Katherine Locke is a Philadelphia-based freelance editor with a passion for helping authors discover their voices.
After more than 5 years of work experience, Katherine can provide high-quality developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment services. Her skills can be admired in โQueen of Coin and Whispersโ, by Helen Corcoran, and โWhere It All Landsโ, by Jennie Wexler.
To learn more about her and to request a quote, access this page.
11. Michelle Martire
Michelle Martireโs writing and editing skills were honed at the Dickinson College Norman M. Eberly Writing Center, Elephantine Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, and Godine, Publisher. However, her studies also helped her excel at her job โ with a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Publishing & Writing, it comes as no surprise that Michelleโs advice is sought by many esteemed authors.
Young adult fantasy, chick lit, and romance are some of her favorite genres. To get an idea of her portfolio, take a look at โThe Cuckoo Clockโ, by Mary Stolz, and โTrial by Charm (The Charmed Trials Series Book 1)โ, by Jolene Buchheit.
If youโre looking for developmental editing or editorial assessment services, feel free to request a quote from Michelle here.
12. Elayne Becker
A Chicago-based freelance editor and author, Elayne Becker has previously worked at Tor Books and Macmillan. She is open to working on a wide range of books, but narratives which involve character development are her main passion.
Elayne can provide developmental editing and query letter review to middle grade & young adult fiction, magical realism, fantasy, and science fiction authors. โDark of the West (Glass Alliance Book 1)โ, by Joanna Hathaway, and โStormriseโ, by Jillian Boehme are two titles that can give you an idea of her portfolio.
To learn more about Elayne and to request a quote, access this page.
13. Kat Nics
Living in New York City, NY, Kat Nics is a story lead at Radish and a freelance editor who started her career in 2009. During her activity of around 8 years at Penguin Random House, Kat gained in-depth knowledge of numerous fiction genres in which she now specializes โ young adult fiction, paranormal romance, and thriller & suspense are just a few examples.
In terms of services, she can provide copy editing, developmental editing, query letter review, proofreading, and editorial assessment. Although she doesnโt provide information on the YA titles in her portfolio, you can request more information here.
14. Alison Duncan
After starting her career in the publishing industry at Focus Press, Alison Duncan developed a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. She is currently a Boston-based freelance editor with around 10 years of work experience.
If youโre a fiction or nonfiction author, you can reach her for developmental editing, proofreading, copy editing, and editorial assessment services. Young adult fiction, photography, and education & reference are only a few of the genres she specializes in.
To learn more about her portfolio, check out โNothing Moreโ, by Janine Olsson. Quotes can be requested here.
15. Rachael Dugas
Specializing in young adult fiction and romance, Rachael Dugas is a freelance editor and former literary agent who lives in Tampa, Florida. Due to her previous experience at Sourcebooks and Talcott Notch Literary, she knows exactly how to turn a manuscript into a bestseller.
In terms of services, Rachael specializes in copy editing, proofreading, developmental editing, and editorial assessment. โOf Delicate Pieces (Of Breakable Things)โ and โOf Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland are two titles that can help you learn more about what sheโs looking for.
To learn more about Rachael and to request a quote, access this page.
16. Constance Renfrow
The winner of the 2019 Porter House Review Prize for Fiction and of IndieFAB Gold: YA, Constance Renfrow is an acclaimed freelance editor who began her career at Skyhorse Publishing. After working on more than 75 titles, she can help both fiction and nonfiction authors tell the best versions of their stories.
Young adult fiction, thriller & suspense, biographies & memoirs, and mystery & crime are some of the genres on her list. To get an idea of her past projects, look up โWeird Girl and What’s His Nameโ, by Meagan Brothers, and โDowndriftโ, by Johanna Drucker.
If youโre looking for developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, query letter review, or proofreading services, Constance could be the perfect choice for your project. Feel free to request a quote here.
17. Kelsy Thompson
Based in Ogden, Utah, Kelsy Thompson is a freelance editor, writer, and ghostwriter who has previously worked at Jolly Fish Press, WeberโThe Contemporary West, and North Star Editions. Besides her freelance career, she is also a production editor at Erewhon Books.
While she has worked on numerous popular titles, โThings I’d Rather Do Than Dieโ, by Christine Hurley Deriso, and โSeeking Mansfieldโ, by Kate Watson are definitely two of the best books in her portfolio.
She can provide developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment to young adult fiction, romance, womenโs fiction, and fantasy authors. If you want to learn more about Kelsy or to simply request a quote, click here.
18. Salima Alikhan
Salima Alikhan is the successful author of more than 20 books, as well as a Creative Writing and English professor, editor of Yellow Bird Editors, and seasoned freelancer. With an M.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults and 15 years of work experience, she can drastically improve any manuscript.
Salimaโs range of interests varies widely, and it includes middle grade & young adult fantasy, action & adventure, dystopian fiction, and picture books. When it comes to services, she specializes in developmental editing, query letter review, editorial assessment, and proofreading.
Those who are curious about her portfolio should take a look at โSix Angry Girlsโ, by Adrienne Kisner, and โRed Moon Risingโ, by K A Holt. Quotes can be requested here.
19. Mary Weber
Living in San Luis Obispo, California, Mary Weber is a skilled freelance editor, marketing expert, copywriter, and author. You may know her as the editor of โCoralโ and โUnblemishedโ, by Sara Ella.
She specializes in developmental editing, copy editing, query letter review, and proofreading, which she can provide to both fiction and nonfiction authors. In terms of genres, Mary is interested in young adult fiction, fantasy, Christian fiction, and self-help & self-improvement.
If youโd like to learn more about Mary or to request a quote, access this page.


