Romance Editors

Writing a romance novel?

The story centers on the emotional conflicts between two people who become romantically involved; any other plot or external conflict is secondary.

A romance is a human story of connection showcasing one of our most basic needs—the need for companionship.

The romance genre now features people with careers, independent natures, and life goals. Romance is the highest-selling genre of fiction. All other genres can be found within the blanket of romance—mystery, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, horror (gothic and modern), history (recent and ancient past as well as Regency and Scottish Highlands), Christian or spiritual, and every age group from YA to New Adult to Adult. 

An experienced romance novel editor can help you keep the emotional conflict going until the end if you’ve allowed them to unite prematurely. A romance editor analyzes the presentation of human courtship and helps you see where it follows natural patterns (believable) or where it goes out of order (not believable) so your reader falls in love alongside your characters.

David Aretha

David Aretha

The author and editor of more than 300 books, David Aretha knows what it takes to get a book published.

David Aretha has edited and authored books for 30+ publishers, including St. Martin’s Press, HarperCollins, Lyons Press, Random House, Running Press, Warner Books, Total/Sports Illustrated, and Scholastic.

His books have generated more than $20 million in revenue and have appeared on the Today show, The Early Show, CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. His rating on Goodreads.com is 4.2, based on more than 3,000 ratings.

Ann Aubrey

Ann Aubrey

Ghostwriter, Book Indexer, Copy Editor, Proofreader

Ann Aubrey has 30+ years of experience as a writer and editor, including fiction, nonfiction, medical, academic, technical, and college-level textbooks.

She began a career as a technical writer: geophysics, geology, and information technology. Then transitioned into journalism, working as Associate Editor/Editor of the Catholic newspaper of San Diego and teaching fiction writing at the university level.

Amelia Beamer

Amelia Beamer

Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

Developmental Editing, Manuscript Critiques, Work-in-Progress Beta Reading, Query Letters and Book Proposals

Former Locus magazine editor, Amelia Beamer is a critically acclaimed and agented novelist with knowledge of both the craft and the business of science fiction, fantasy, and horror publishing. She has seen a number of writing careers start while working at the Clarion East Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Workshop, and she is a graduate of the Clarion Workshop with many years of critique experience. As an editor for Shueisha English Edition), she edited and helped package novels and collections over multiple genres, including young adult, thrillers, literary fiction, and erotica, and she is sensitive to the needs of translated texts and authors whose first language is not English.

Amelia's fiction has been reviewed favorably in publications including The San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post, and her writing has been translated into several languages. Barnes and Noble called her debut novel one of their favorite genre novels of the past decade.

James N. Bond

James N. Bond

"James examines the symbols of language the way a biologist examines cells."

~ New York Times Review of Books

Beta readings, manuscript evaluations, proofreading, line editing, copy editing, developmental editing, query letters, book proposals.

Need some assistance with your manuscript? For twenty years I have joined forces with fiction and nonfiction writers from all over the world. I start by preparing a free sample edit of your work. I will be happy to talk with you in detail about your publishing needs.

Success in publishing results from keeping readers engaged. Unfortunately, though, many writers lose their readers. I excel at identifying precisely where in your manuscript that is likely to happen, and how to prevent it.

My education immersed me in the creative processes of the world’s great literary and pre-literate cultures. Earning my English MA, I studied the entire sweep of Western literatures, from Gilgamesh to flash fiction. For years, one of my own volumes, Derrida for Beginners, was the best-selling introduction to one of the century’s most influential voices in literary theory. I also studied under the able tutelage of Hugh Kenner, remembered best for his monumental masterpiece, The Pound Era. For my Religious Studies MA, I studied the ancient and diverse Indo-European tradition of visionary poetics illumining a broad range of literatures throughout Europe and Asia. Consequently I have edited not only novels and short stories, but nonfiction, including many books on spirituality.

Writers report that I bring to their manuscripts questions and insights that other editors never would have considered. These insights cause things to snap into focus. Writers then feel energized to proceed with new vision.

My own books have been published by William Morrow, Prentice Hall, Hosei University Press (Japan), Chongqing University Press (China), Pensamento (Brazil), Thassalia (Spain), Hans-Ulrich Möhring (Germany), and Orient Longman (India). I have also authored the most successful titles in the For Beginners series and written a volume cited by Library Journal as one of the Top Ten Business Books of the Year. My pillow book unveiling South Pacific coming-of-age customs ignited a much celebrated, nationwide slow love revolution in the zen-infused archipelago of Japan. In the realm of verse, I translated the poems of San Juan de la Cruz, illustrated by Group f/64 photographer Imogen Cunningham. I have freelanced as a script consultant for the film industry as well as an editor for Fielding University, True Pictures, Image G, and SendPoints (China).

I will be most happy to talk with you about your editing needs.

Lauren Humphries-Brooks

Lauren Humphries-Brooks

Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Romance LGBTQ+, Crime, Detective, Academic Nonfiction, Film Scripts, Media Books

Lauren Humphries-Brooks has copy edited hundreds of novels, short stories, and nonfiction titles, including books by bestselling authors Jane Yolen, May McGoldrick, Paul Cornell, and Alyssa Palombo. She regularly works with large and small publishers, including St. Martin’s Press, Tor/Forge, Prometheus Books, Bella Books, Entangled Publishing, and Cobblestone Press.

She loves working with both first-time authors and established writers, from people looking for that final check to those who want involved editing and collaboration. She’s a writer herself, with a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh, where she learned the art of constructive criticism, pacing, plot structure, and dialogue.

Theodora Bryant

Theodora Bryant

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Romance

Theodora Bryant has been editing professionally since 1994, ten of those with her fiction-only, award-winning publishing company.

She has been a member of the Book Editing Associates network since 2001. During that time her authors have garnered “Book of the Year” in science fiction, and “Finalist” and “Winner” awards in romance and mystery works. Her authors often receive outstanding reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly.

She’s reviewed, evaluated, and edited thousands of manuscripts through the years and helps her authors navigate towards the “Top 100 Paid on Kindle” lists.

Carrie Cantor

Carrie Cantor

Developmental Editing, Manuscript Evaluations, Line Editing

200+ books edited for major publishers and independent authors

Carrie Cantor, a published author and industry veteran, worked as an acquisitions editor at a New York publisher where she acquired and edited titles on a variety of subjects. As a free-lance editor, she has extensive experience performing diagnostic editing (critique), development editing, and line editing. Her clients are writers in the areas of memoir, history, current events, health, Judaica, women’s issues, how-to, and pop-culture, as well as romance, women’s fiction, and literary fiction.

She also helps authors write query letters and proposals that appeal to the market. Because she is an adjunct to a successful New York literary agency, she has the commercial savvy to advise clients with an eye to current trends and industry standards.

Carrie will meet you wherever you are in your writing process. If you need an objective assessment of what’s working in your book and what needs improvement in terms of structure (narrative arc, characters, pacing, etc.), she can provide a thorough professional critique. Her “bedside” manner is sensitive and respectful but holds nothing back.

If you need a line-by-line edit to polish the writing, Carrie is an expert at smoothing over any awkward moments in the narrative, helping you to be the best writer you can be without imposing her own style or taste on your prose.

Ann Howard Creel

Ann Howard Creel

Writer and Editor of Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade Fiction, Memoirs, and Historical Fiction

Congratulations on taking a step closer to achieving your writing goals. Even in today’s publishing climate, I believe it is still possible for new writers to enter the business and succeed. With little background, I was able to get twelve novels published including children’s middle grade fiction, young adult novels, and adult literature. I’ve worked with both small independent publishers, such as Roberts Rinehart and Brown Barn Books, and large publishing houses, such as Penguin Putnam and American Girl, and I’ve collaborated on a screenplay that took one of my novels to film for Hallmark Hall of Fame on CBS.

In addition, I’ve been editing professionally since 2007 and have helped numerous authors achieve their publishing goals. Writing is a creative endeavor done best when inspiration strikes, and I believe every writer has his or her unique story/stories and voice with which to tell it. That said, certain guidelines, skills, and techniques will make stories shine, and writers will always benefit from the help and support of experienced writers/editors.

I specialize in developmental editing of mainstream fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, narrative non-fiction, and memoir and would love to hear about your project and goals.

David Ferris

David Ferris

Novels, Self-Help, Memoir, Christian, Spiritual, Business

David Ferris has worked on 100+ manuscripts that have landed publishing deals.

His long track record as a ghostwriter, writer, editor, and filmmaker has given him exposure to a wide range of authors, writing styles, and genres, including novels, nonfiction works, self-help books, memoir, Christian and other spiritual writing, and business books.

With professional experience in both fiction and documentary film, as a producer, writer, and director, David is well versed in the art of cinematic storytelling and can edit or critique your screenplay.

Susan Maia Grossman

Susan Maia Grossman

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Magical Realism, Young Adult and Middle Reader, Books in Verse, Literary and Women’s Fiction, LGBTQIA topics, Short Stories, Nonfiction, Essays, Memoirs, Judaica, Comparative Religion and Modern Spiritualities, Folklore and Mythology, Science and Technology, Business

Publishing veteran and book doctor Susan Maia Grossman has been in the industry for more than 25 years. She worked in-house for major New York publishers Ace Books and Macmillan, read and edited manuscripts for Tor, Baen, and Random House Spectra (among others), and provides highly personalized guidance as an independent editor. Her recent writers have been recognized with honors that include the Lambda Literary Award nomination, the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and Eric Hoffer Book Awards/Montaigne Medals Book Awards in nonfiction.

She works across the gamut of editorial services, providing critiques, mentorship, developmental editing, line editing, and copy editing, as well as helping with synopses, query letters, and cover copy. A graduate of the Clarion West Writers Workshop in science fiction and fantasy as well as a published author, she thinks of editing as a partnership and has a particular love for developing writers’ first manuscripts.

Barbara Kimble

Barbara Kimble

Barbara Kimble has worked as a writer, ghostwriter, editor, teacher, coach, corporate communication consultant and journalist, and served as Writer in Residence at Tyndale House Publishers. She has written or co-written ten books, published more than 600 articles in the Chicago Tribune, and edited approximately 200 books for various publishers and authors.

Barbara has helped dozens of writers to prepare for the publication of their books, including both those who have published with traditional publishers and those who have chosen to self-publish, including teaching a six-video writing course for a publisher.

A true wordsmith with a love for the beauty of language and the power of ideas, Barbara aims for clear and memorable writing that includes the occasional touch of humor, if appropriate. She makes what’s complicated easily understandable whether when editing a book, writing a web article, or coaching authors.

John David Kudrick

John David Kudrick

Fiction (Multiple Genres)—Editor of 240+ Published Titles

You’re sitting at your computer, smiling, feeling an incredible sense of satisfaction in your heart. After more hours than you can count, you’ve finally finished your book – a work from deep within your soul that you want to share with the world.

But then the questions start hitting your mind: Is it the very best that it can be? Will anyone even want to read it? What’s my next step? As an editor and a writer himself, John David understands the gamut of feelings that comes with getting your manuscript from your hard drive and into print. That’s why he’d love to partner with you in getting your book manuscript to the next level.

With an MA focused on fiction and over two decades of editorial/writing experience, John David has had the opportunity to serve as an editor on more than 240 published fiction/nonfiction titles and to work with authors from across the US and around the world.

Floyd Largent

Floyd Largent

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthropology

Manuscript evaluations, developmental editing

Floyd Largent edits nonfiction, novels, and short stories. His first love as a fiction editor is science fiction and fantasy for young adults and adults, especially for works in which science, characterization, mystery, and unusual cultures play an important part.

In nonfiction he specializes in anthropology, history, science, spirituality (including religious and New Age), and memoirs.

Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Screenplays, Historical Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, How-To, Self-Help, Christian Fiction and Nonfiction

Kevin Miller has worked as an author, editor, publisher, educator, journalist, screenwriter, blogger, copywriter, book designer and proofreader for over 26 years. During that time, he has written, co-written, contributed to and edited over 250 published books, both fiction and non-fiction. He has also written, co-written, and/or directed and produced a dozen motion pictures, including feature film projects and documentaries. In addition, Kevin is the author of the best-selling Milligan Creek Series for middle-grade readers.

Throughout his career, Kevin has shepherded dozens of writers toward publication, including those who have gone the traditional route as well as those who have chosen to self-publish. Some of Kevin's clients include William B. Davis, the "Cigarette Smoking Man" from The X-Files; Spencer Tillman, former NFL player and lead studio analyst for College Football Today on CBS; and Doug Brode, Hollywood storyboard artist for such films as The Maze Runner, Thor, and Star Trek. Kevin has extensive experience at every stage of the publishing process, from development all the way to book and cover design and marketing.

Kevin’s areas of specialty include sci-fi and fantasy, historical fiction, literary fiction, screenplays, creative nonfiction, business writing, how-to/self-help, autobiography, and Christian fiction and non-fiction. His clients appreciate his extensive knowledge of story structure, his attention to detail, his knowledge and experience of the marketplace, and his friendly, honest approach.

Andrea Robinson

Andrea Robinson

New York Times Bestselling and Award-Winning Book Editor

Literary Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Adult, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Erotica, Humor, New Age, Spirituality

Andrea Robinson spent over a decade as an acquiring editor at Penguin Random House, working on key titles for Knopf, Doubleday, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Books. She edited Jennifer McMahon's NY Times bestselling novels, The Winter People, The Night Sister, and Burntown; the NY Times bestselling Veronica Mars mystery series; and the Harvard Lampoon's NY Times bestselling parody Nightlight.

Kelly Lynne Schaub

Kelly Lynne Schaub

Paranormal Romance, Westerns, Young Adult, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Psychic, Supernatural Phenomena

Kelly Lynne Schaub is the proud "auntie" to over 150 traditionally published novels, novellas and short stories. As an editor for The Wild Rose Press, she edited contemporary western and light paranormal romances, with heat ratings from sweet to spicy.

Kelly has published over 100 non-fiction articles, four short stories, and two novels. She helps authors polish their submission packets for literary agents and publishers, and also helps writers prepare their manuscripts for self-publishing.

Caroline Tolley

Caroline Tolley

Editor for three New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors

Caroline Tolley has been editing popular fiction for over 20 years and has 400+ novels under her belt.

Her particular expertise is fiction for women: she edits all sub-genres of Romance, as well as Suspense, Thrillers, and Mysteries. Carla Neggers, Karen Robards and Andrea Kane---three New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors---had their books edited by Caroline.

Marie Valentine

Marie Valentine

Copyediting and Proofreading Services | New Author Assistance

Marie Valentine helps first-time writers prepare their manuscripts for submission to publishers or in preparation for self-publishing.

Marie has worked for small, midsized, and academic presses, and helps authors who are new to the publishing process navigate the path to selling a book. She offers query letter and submission package review, and permissions assistance, and can answer questions you have along the way. She often blogs with her self-published authors to help promote their work.

Marie passed Book Editing Associates' rigorous proofreading test, so you can trust that her edits will also clear up any typographical errors in your book. She is fluent in the Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style.

Don White

Don White

Editor of 3 New York Times Bestsellers and 3 Los Angeles Times Bestsellers

Don White is an award-winning editor with more than twenty years’  of publishing experience. Among the notable writers he’s edited are Gore Vidal, Edward Albee, E. Lynn Harris, Edmund White, and Samuel R. Delany.

He’s equally at home in fiction (literary novels, commercial fiction, mysteries) and nonfiction (memoir, biography, general nonfiction). As an editor and writer he’s freelanced for Doubleday, Penguin, Bantam, Basic Books, and Beacon, among others.

Don has been singled out for distinction by the American Library Association, Publishers Weekly, and Out Magazine. As an independent scholar he's authored three books on African American history as well as several books for gay and lesbian readers. He's also an emeritus board member of the Lambda Literary Foundation. Don lives in New York City.

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