The best developmental editors for hire near Los Angeles

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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

Angela 5 star rating

Los Angeles, United States

Editor of more than 800 books. I specialize in sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, horror, mystery, thriller, YA, and dystopian fiction.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Mystery & Crime, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Alyson Books
  • Self-employed

Lindsay 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Collaborative and supportive dev. editor with numerous bestsellers in women's fiction & romance at Amazon, Guideposts, and Penguin.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Freelance
  • Amazon
  • Guideposts Books
  • Penguin

Sandra 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I'm a best-selling, award-winning British author, developmental and line editor, specialising in memoir . Based in Los Angeles and the U.K.

Genres: Anthologies, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Action & Adventure, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Amy 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I'm a bestselling author who loves working with other writers to level up their manuscripts (or query letters). Honest but a cheerleader!

Genres: Coming of Age, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Madeleine 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I have nine years of professional experience with presses and universities. I can help you polish your work into something spectacular!

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, and Humanities & Social Sciences.

Work experience:

  • Red Hen Press
  • Mills College
  • Scripps College
  • Snowflake

William 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I have 40 years of professional experience as a writer and editor specializing in history, the arts, entertainment, and general nonfiction.

Genres: Entertainment, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, History, Philosophy, and Architecture.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • J. Paul Getty Trust
  • Time Magazine

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Gabriel 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Children's editor with 10+ years experience. Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Little Passports, Inc.
  • Teacher Created Materials
  • BEGiN

Kait 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Hello! I'm an editor of award-winning children's books with a decade of experience romping around Scholastic and HarperCollins.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Publishers
  • Scholastic

Chelsea 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, romance, and Black/African American lived experiences. I am also a master of humor and dialogue.

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • The Bent Agency

Matt 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Emmy Award winning TV writer with over twenty years of experience. Loves funny stories about music, sports, and fascinating people.

Genres: Humor & Comedy, Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Entertainment, Non-Fiction, Sports & Outdoors, Music, Humanities & Social Sciences, Romantic Comedy, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Cartoon Network
  • HBO Max
  • Adult Swim
  • Disney Jr

Cara 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

An editor & book coach, I help writers find their voice & connect with readers. I specialize in children's books, how-to, & women’s fiction.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, DIY & Crafts, Non-Fiction, Sports & Outdoors, Children’s Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Anne 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, United States

I'm a former LGBTQ+ Editor in Chief with a film background and years of success nurturing star writers and beginners. Let's tell your story!

Genres: LGBTQ Fiction, Fiction, Plays & Screenplays, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Historical Fiction, Inspirational, and Entertainment.

Work experience:

  • The Advocate
  • Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor
  • Well Again
  • self
  • Self-employed

Auriane 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Fiction editor with 8+ years experience ▪ Published Author ▪ English Teacher ▪ MFA in Creative Writing ▪ MA in English Lit

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Elementary School
  • Penguin Random House

Elena 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Top-notch nonfiction editor for 30+ years. Simon and Schuster, Macmillan, Conde Nast, Hachette. Track record of acclaimed projects!

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Entertainment, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, and Business & Management.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Yoga Journal and San Francisco magazine

Rebecca 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

MAD Magazine editor and UCLA Writers' Program developmental editing instructor with 9 years of professional editing experience.

Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, Fiction, Young Adult, Humor & Comedy, Short Story, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Travel, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • UCLA Extension Writers' Program
  • Pocket Comics
  • MAD Magazine at DC Comics
  • TripAdvisor's WhatToPack.com
  • Zagat
  • Bettina Schrewe Literary Scouting

Emma 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Dedicated, creative editor with an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and years of experience at a top New York City literary agency.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Political Science & Current Affairs, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

  • McCormick Literary
  • The Iowa Writers' Workshop
  • Atheneum (a division of Simon & Schuster)

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Hire the best developmental editors in Los Angeles, California

Hoping to join the ranks of Joan Didion, Truman Capote, and scores of other famous writers from Los Angeles? You might already be having visions of sold-out book tours and lucrative movie deals. But in order to publish such a fame-worthy title, you’ll first need an editor who can get your book in tip-top shape.

Specifically, you’ll need a developmental editor who will take a “big picture” approach to your manuscript and turn it into the best possible version of itself. This editor will work to improve the plot, characters, and prose, so your book’s structure is solid and its voice clear and compelling. Indeed, behind every bestseller is a skilled developmental editor who devoted themselves to unlocking that book’s full potential; your book deserves that same level of care and attention.

But with so many editors for hire in Los Angeles, it can be hard to find the one person who’s a perfect fit for your book. At Reedsy, we pre-screen all our professionals and accept only the top 3% of applications, so you’re guaranteed a high-quality editing job from any collaborator you might choose. Plus we list our pros according to location, so you can find an editor in Los Angeles right away. Simply sign up to start browsing through all our L.A. editors’ profiles and request quotes from your five favorite editors.

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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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