Best Developmental Editors
Find professional developmental editors to strengthen your manuscript's structure, story, and characters.
How We Selected These Developmental Editors
Our approach to the ProWritingAid Freelancer Directory
Our ProWritingAid community is always asking us for recommendations of developmental editors. Finding a good developmental editor is important to your success as a writer, but finding a reputable provider is hard. That's why we've built this directory to collect independent reviews of writing professionals so you can find the right freelancer to help you bring your project to life.
The developmental editors in this directory have been sourced from freelancers we've worked with directly, publicly available professional listings, individual professional websites, and recommendations from our community. Profiles are compiled from public sources and are not endorsed by ProWritingAid.
ProWritingAid does not endorse any listed professional. Profile information is compiled from publicly available sources and may be updated by providers via our claim form below. We recommend reading each profile carefully, reviewing testimonials, and conducting a free discovery call before committing.
Rali Chorbadzhiyska
Rali Chorbadzhiyska is a developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader. She focuses on fiction, romance, narrative nonfiction and short stories, collaborating with independent and corporate publishers, authors. She is an award-winning editor.
Sue Copsey
Sue Copsey is an experienced developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader based in UK and New Zealand, bringing 25 years of publishing experience. She focuses on children's, young adult, non-fiction and commercial adult fiction, working with local and overseas authors and publishers. She is an award-winning author and a best-selling author.
Maria Giovanna Brauzzi
Maria Giovanna Brauzzi is an experienced developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader, bringing 10 years of publishing experience. She focuses on education, social sciences, psychology and business, working with authors, academics, and independent publishers.
Tammy Salyer - Inspired Ink Editing
Tammy Salyer - Inspired Ink Editing works as a developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader. She is an expert in science fiction, fantasy, mystery and historical.
Amy Koerner
Amy Koerner works as a book coach and children's book editor located in Germany, with 15 years of experience. She is an expert in children's fiction, young adult fiction, inclusive stories and diverse stories, serving authors writing inclusive and diverse stories. She is a certified book coach.
Samantha Zaboski
Samantha Zaboski works as a developmental editor and line editor, with 10 years of experience. She has expertise in fiction, science fiction & fantasy and young adult.
Megan Close Zavala
Megan Close Zavala works as a developmental editor, copy editor and book coach, with 20 years of experience. She largely concentrates on non-fiction, memoir, business and self-help.
Caryn Devincenti, The Write Coach
Caryn Devincenti, The Write Coach is an experienced developmental editor, book coach and line editor, bringing 18 years of publishing experience. She focuses on fiction, romance, mystery & thriller and young adult, working with fiction writers. She is an Author Accelerator certified and holds an MFA in Creative Writing.
P. J. Hoover
P. J. Hoover works as a developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader. He specializes in science fiction & fantasy, mystery & thriller, young adult and children's books.
Katie Seaman
Katie Seaman is a developmental editor, book coach and line editor. She mostly focuses on historical fiction, cosy crime, romance and speculative fiction.
Laura Roberts
Laura Roberts works as a developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader, with 20 years of experience. Laura focuses on non-fiction, young adult and children's books.
Raya P Morrison
Raya P Morrison works as a developmental editor, copy editor and proofreader, with 8 years of experience. She is known for working in literary fiction, genre fiction, narrative nonfiction and corporate content. She is a Certified Fictionary StoryCoach Editor and editor-in-chief of Blood & Bourbon literary journal.
David Gatewood
David Gatewood works as a developmental editor, copy editor and line editor. He has expertise in science fiction & fantasy, thriller, mystery and fiction, working with veteran and first-time authors.
Kristen Tate
Kristen Tate works as a developmental editor, copy editor and line editor, with 10 years of experience. She concentrates on fiction, romance, mystery & thriller and historical, collaborating with authors. She holds a PhD in English from Columbia University.
Karmen Spiljak
Karmen Spiljak is a developmental editor and book coach. She has expertise in speculative fiction, horror and suspense, collaborating with writers of genre fiction. She is an award-winning author and an Author Accelerator certified.
Also Browse
Find other book professionals in the ProWritingAid Freelancer Directory
Looking for a different type of professional? Browse: Book Coaches · Copy Editors · Proofreaders
Frequently Asked Questions About Developmental Editors
What does a developmental editor do?
Developmental editors assess the big-picture elements of your manuscript, like narrative structure, pacing, character depth, plot logic, and overall narrative arc. They typically deliver a long editorial letter and/or in-manuscript notes as the product of their work.
When should I hire a developmental editor?
Ideally, hire a developmental editor once you have a complete draft that you've already revised yourself and before hiring any other kind of editor. If you revise your document yourself, you'll get much more value from your developmental editor, because they'll be able to focus on the higher-value changes rather than low-hanging fruit.
How much does developmental editing cost?
Developmental editing is typically pricier than copy editing or proofreading due to the depth of the work involved. Rates vary by editor experience, manuscript length, and genre.
How were these professionals selected?
The professionals listed here were sourced from publicly available professional directories and listings. Profile information has been compiled from those public sources. ProWritingAid does not employ, endorse, or guarantee the services of any listed professional. We recommend reviewing each profile carefully and contacting providers directly.
How do I get started with a professional I find here?
Click 'View Profile' on any listing to read the freelancer's full profile, services, and reviews. Most professionals list their website and contact details on their profile page. You can reach out directly to discuss your project before committing. Most reputable freelancers will offer a short call before committing to using them.
About This Directory
All freelancers listed are independent professionals. They are not employees, agents, or contractors of ProWritingAid. ProWritingAid is not the service provider and in no way guarantees the quality, accuracy, or outcomes of any services. The profile information was compiled from publicly available sources and if you are the service provider you can update it via our claim form. Reviews are moderated by ProWritingAid and represent the opinions of individual clients, not the opinions of ProWritingAid.