The best romance book developmental editing services

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Parisa 5 star rating

Brooklyn, NY, United States

Former Simon and Schuster editor with 15+ years of experience, specializing in all genres of fiction. I’d love to help get your MS in shape!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self Employed
  • Simon & Schuster

Rachel 5 star rating

New York, United States

Literary agent turned editor of fiction & select memoir where narratives and protagonists have distinct, identifiable voices.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Humor & Comedy, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

  • Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
  • Self-employed

Erin 5 star rating

Los Angeles, United States

Experienced writer, editor and agent with an MFA in Creative Writing. I have edited New York Times bestselling books and series. 10+ years

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

  • The Industry
  • tNY Press
  • Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC
  • Self-employed

Laurie 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

Editor of National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalists and bestselling authors at Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Children's, Romance, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • St. Martin’s Press a division of Macmillan, USA
  • Hyperion, a division of ABC/Disney
  • HarperCollins, a division of Newscorp
  • Dutton, a division of Penguin Group USA, Pearson
  • Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS
  • Hyperion, a division of the Walt Disney Comapny
  • Rizzoli Books

Kate 5 star rating

Baltimore, United States

Former S&S editor w/20 years of experience editing NYT bestselling & award-winning authors such as Nova Ren Suma & Kekla Magoon.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Romantic Comedy, New Adult, Young Adult, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Simon & Schuster Children's Books

Elizabeth 5 star rating

Morristown, United States

Former Senior Editor at Ballantine Books; specializes in content editing of non-fiction (self-help, memoir, parenting) and fiction.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Parenting & Families, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • The Ballantine Publishing Group/Division of Random House, Inc.

Ann Leslie 5 star rating

New York City, NY, United States

Over 25 years' editorial experience at a Big 5 publisher and a literary agency, specializing in commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Romantic Comedy, Psychological Thriller, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Harlequin Books
  • Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

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Stephanie 5 star rating

Elizabethtown, PA, USA

Trauma-informed editor at Lake Drive Books specializing in religious deconstruction memoir, poetry, self-help, fantasy/sci-fi, and romance.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance, and Inspirational.

Work experience:

  • The Potter's School
  • Self
  • Lake Drive Books

Duncan 5 star rating

Raleigh, NC, USA

Developmental editor of NYT bestsellers by Grand Central, Algonquin, Warner, Hachette. I am also a contributing editor at Harper's Magazine.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Inspirational, Historical Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Algonquin Books
  • CraftBook Editorial
  • Harper's Magazine

Ken 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Experienced ms. editor who has worked with NYT bestselling authors of thrillers and romance. I'm also a published author and ghostwriter.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Technothriller, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Legal Thriller, and Horror.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Candace 5 star rating

Fort Worth, TX, USA

Publishing executive with more than 17 years of experience in the industry. My strengths are content and line editing. Let me help you.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Middle Grade, Children's, Contemporary Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Humor & Comedy, Magical Realism, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Entangled Publishing
  • FYI Television
  • Self-employed

Katie 5 star rating

Lewiston, ID, USA

**Now offering a May special! Details in bio.** Literary agent specializing in women's fiction, romance, and fantasy.

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Andrea Hurst and Associates, LLC
  • Self-employed
  • Hurst and Reed Editorial

Paula 5 star rating

Akron, Ohio, USA

I'm an experienced, award-winning editor of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. I'd like to help you make your novel the best it can be.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fiction, Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Prime Books
  • Juno Books / Simon & Schuester

Elise 5 star rating

Newton, NJ, USA

Meticulous, mindful editor and coach with 20+ years' experience. Focus on self-publishers, first-timers, and memoirs but open to all genres.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Health & Wellbeing, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Amnet
  • Callisto Media
  • CreateSpace
  • Arbor Books

Rebecca 5 star rating

Creston, NC, USA

Developmental editor + published author / 20 years experience / I love to mentor writers in both early and later-stage planning and revision

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQ Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Cultural & Ethnic, Coming of Age, and Comics & Graphic Novels.

Work experience:

  • UNC Asheville
  • Self-employed
  • Pitch Wars
  • Writing in the Margins
  • SCBWI Carolinas

Karli 5 star rating

Clarksville, TN, United States

Editor who specializes in developing manuscripts and is passionate about helping authors craft their best stories!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Hilari 5 star rating

Glen Head, NY, USA

I am a sharp-eyed, award winning editor with over thirty years in the romance industry. I'll help you tell your story and find your readers!

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense, Time Travel Romance, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction, and Historical Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Harlequin
  • Zebra Books
  • Self-employed

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Hire the best romance developmental editors

So you’ve outlined your characters, written a couple of drafts, and finally have a manuscript, complete with a happy ending? To make sure that everything is jiving in your newest romance title, hire a romance developmental editor who can help you sort out your narrative structure, fill any plot holes, and make sure there’s chemistry between your characters.

The editors at Reedsy have years of experience working with indie authors and in traditional publishing alike. With a finger on the pulse, they keep up with current trends and demands of the market. Sign up for a free account today to browse and shortlist editors — some of whom have worked with popular romance authors like Jill Mansell and Cecilia Ahern, to name just a couple.

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Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

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Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.