Book Editors

Manuscript Editors: 8 Pros Who Can Transform Your Book

Every author, regardless of their experience, understands the invaluable role an excellent editor plays in the writing process. They are the unsung heroes meticulously sifting through countless lines of prose, dialogues, and narratives, enhancing the language, eliminating redundancies, rectifying inconsistencies, and polishing your manuscript until it shines brightly. Their immense contribution ensures your story gets the spotlight it deserves.

We understand the importance of a well-edited manuscript, and to that end, we’ve curated a list of the top manuscript editors in the industry. These exceptional professionals will not only help refine your work but will also provide invaluable insight and guidance to help your manuscript evolve into its most compelling version. Let’s meet these maestros of words.

1. Felicia Lee

Felicia Lee is a seasoned manuscript editor who brings over 20 years of experience in commercial and academic publishing. She offers a variety of services including developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading, specializing in non-fiction fields such as business & management, health & wellbeing, and humanities & social sciences. Felicia has been commended for her contributions to high-impact projects like ‘The Case for Masks’ and a book on the coaching method at MIT Bootcamps. With a rich academic background and experience in corporate writing, she ensures writing meets its audience with a consistent, confident voice. Clients include institutional, small businesses, and individuals, with Felicia’s work extending to coaching, ghostwriting, and copywriting. Passionate about helping authors create compelling narratives, Felicia Lee is the editor to elevate your manuscript to its fullest potential​.

2. Ann Leslie Tuttle

Meet Ann Leslie Tuttle, a seasoned editor and literary agent specializing in women’s fiction, romance, and thrillers. With a publishing career spanning over 25 years, she has worked with both debut authors and bestsellers from The New York Times and USA Today. Ann Leslie offers developmental editing and editorial assessment services, honing manuscripts to best reflect their authors’ vision and voice. Her extensive experience includes a 20-year tenure at Harlequin Books and her current role at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where she keeps abreast of industry trends. As a testament to her expertise, she has received the Editor of the Year award from the NYC RWA Chapter​.

3. Sirah Jarocki

Sirah Jarocki is a distinguished editor specializing in children’s literature, including picture books and middle-grade novels. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and educational works, Sirah has been freelancing since 2012 and offers a unique perspective as a former kindergarten teacher​. Sirah provides services in developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessment, working primarily in English (US)​. Sirah’s portfolio spans across genres, covering manuscripts of children’s non-fiction, middle grade fantasy, and picture books​. With 206 glowing Reedsy reviews, clients commend Sirah’s professionalism, quality, value, and responsiveness, emphasizing her commitment to helping authors create high-quality, engaging books​.

4. Laura Silverman

Laura Silverman is a published author and accomplished editor with over a decade of experience in the industry. Holding a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, Laura excels in novel and query edits, providing insightful, clear-eyed, and generous guidance. Her services include developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review. With an expansive genre coverage from biographies and memoirs to various fiction types, Laura’s clients have successfully signed with literary agents, sold books to publishing houses, and self-published their works. Her own writing accolades include the First-Place Simon Rockower Award and Junior Library Guild Selection, and she has worked with major publishers like Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster​.

5. George White

George White is a collaboration-oriented book editor with expertise in the memoir, history, education, business, social justice, and personal development genres​. He brings over a decade of experience as a reporter and editor at the Los Angeles Times and has worked with respected publishers such as Scholastic Inc, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Michigan State University Press​. His work has been recognized with the 2018 Salute to Greatness Award by The Martin Luther King Center for a book he edited, underlining his commitment to social justice and excellence in storytelling​. His noteworthy editing projects include the Pulitzer-nominated book “An American Health Dilemma” and the Michigan State University Press book “At the Crossroads of Fear and Freedom: The Fight for Social and Educational Justice”​. Choosing George White as your editor means engaging with a certified member of the World History Association who will bring his extensive experience, passion for storytelling, and commitment to social justice to your project​.

6. Travis Moran

Meet Travis Moran, a seasoned manuscript editor with expertise in sports titles. He has partnered with acclaimed sportswriters, Hall of Famers, and first-time authors, elevating their work with his imaginative analysis and storytelling savvy. Offering services such as manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, and copy editing, Travis’ specializations range across sports-themed books, novels, short stories, and even screenplays. His portfolio includes over 40 sports titles and collaborations with notable figures like Dennis Rodman and Myron Cope. Travis holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) and an M.A. in English, demonstrating his solid background in literature. He is acknowledged by his clients as a superbly skilled and creative editor, adding value to their work with his commitment and expertise.

7. Joie Davidow

Joie Davidow is an American author and editor with over 35 years of experience, known for her meticulous attention to detail and preserving the unique voice of each author she works with​. As a nationally published author, she brings a wealth of knowledge to genres ranging from memoir to historical novels, sci-fi, and fantasy​. Notably, she was the founder and editor-in-chief of two national magazines, L.A. Style and Si, and co-founder and editor of L.A. Weekly​. Joie is a member of the Authors Guild and the European Association of Creative Writing Teachers, testifying to her professional recognition​. Joie’s career is marked by notable achievements such as the Upton Sinclair Award for Journalism, multiple awards from the Western Publications Association, and she was a finalist for the National Magazine Awards​. Whether you’re a budding writer or an experienced author, Joie’s expertise and dedication can enhance your manuscript and help bring your story to life.

8. Chersti Nieveen

With over 15 years of professional experience, Chersti Nieveen brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as an editor, including working with NYT Bestselling authors such as Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells​. Her editorial prowess is backed by a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in editing, alongside a glowing testimonial from authors she’s worked with​. Chersti’s career has seen her in roles as an Acquisitions Editor at Cedar Fort and Leading Edge, and she currently operates as a self-employed editor working with a team of Story Analysts​. Chersti is praised for her deep understanding of story structure and her ability to guide authors in creating the best possible version of their stories​.

Navigating the vast ocean of the written word becomes a fulfilling journey when you have the right manuscript editor by your side. As you proceed with your writing endeavors, may these incredible editors light your path, helping your words resonate with readers and your story leave an indelible mark in the literary world.