Currently, I don’t offer developmental editing, although that may be added to my offerings in the future. If you’re looking for developmental editing for your manuscript, which is an important step in the process of making your manuscript shine, there are several freelance editors I can recommend with joy and confidence. All of these women are also writers, and understand the world and mindset of the writer, which is very helpful in terms of feeling comfortable with an editor as well as feeling confident in their abilities.
Emma Walton Hamilton — I have worked with Emma on several projects. Her comments are insightful, wise and encouraging. I feel safe in her hands. I know that what she suggests will be spot-on, and will spur me on to dig more deeply into my manuscript and make it much more than I could have imagined was possible, and she will do this kindly, with my best interests at heart. Emma specializes in children’s literature — picture books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels, — and she is also known in kidlit circles as “The Query Whisperer.” She can help you make your query letter sparkle. Note that Emma is extremely busy these days, so may be unavailable.
Emma D. Dryden/drydenbks — Although I haven’t worked with Emma, friends who have done so recommend her highly. After working as an editor for publishers such as Random House, MacMillan, and Simon & Schuster, she launched her freelance editing business, drydenbks, in 2010. Emma also specializes in children’s literature, working not only with writers but also with illustrators, as well as doing career consultations.
Jordan E. Rosenfeld — I haven’t worked with Jordan (yet) but hope to be able to at some point. I have read and benefited from Jordan’s excellent book Make a Scene: Craft a Story One Scene at a Time. This is a book I highly recommend to anyone working on a novel-length project. When I read the book, I had to keep stopping to write notes — about the novel I was working on. Through her book, she helped me see clearly how to edit and revise the scenes to tell the best story possible. Jordan offers critiques, developmental editing, and copy-editing on novels, memoir, non-fiction, short stories and essays.
Mary Kole – Mary is best known as the author of the excellent book on writing middle grade and YA books, Writing Irresistible KidLit. She is a former agent, and now works through many venues to teach and encourage writers, as well as offering a range of editing services. I would urge you to check out her website/blog for writers, kidlit.com as well.
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DISCLAIMER: These recommendations are made because I believe in the value of editing. These are not paid advertisements. Not everything works for every person, so I urge you to research them for yourself and determine what is best for you before investing money or time in anything.