Book Editors

Freelance Copy Editors for Hire: Polish Your Book With Their Help

In the literary world, the unsung heroes often work behind the scenes, meticulously fine-tuning the author’s voice until it sings the right melody to the reader. Among these heroes, freelance copy editors stand out, transforming a raw manuscript into a polished gem ready for publication. Their roles, often underappreciated, are pivotal in the journey of a book from the writer’s desk to the reader’s nightstand.

In this blog post, we’ll shine the spotlight on these literary magicians, presenting a listicle of the top freelance copy editors who have made significant contributions to the books we adore. Join us as we explore their world, their work, and their immense impact on literature.

1. Natalia Vazquez Torres

Meet Natalia Vazquez Torres, a Latinx editor and writer with a passion for children’s literature. Natalia specializes in picture books to young adult fiction, and has a unique talent for working with Spanish/bilingual books. With an MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Natalia offers services in developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading​.

Her accolades include numerous awards such as Bank Street’s 2023 Best Children’s Books of the Year in Spanish, and Kirkus and Booklist Starred Reviews​. Natalia’s extensive experience includes roles at Charlesbridge Publishing and the U.S. Air Force, where she honed her editing skills, coordinated editorial services, and worked as a senior translator and writer​.

Natalia is not only committed to producing quality work, but also advocates for the representation of voices that have traditionally been underrepresented in publishing. With her wealth of experience and dedication to inclusivity, Natalia is an excellent choice for your next children’s book project​.

2. Emily Rodmell

Meet Emily Rodmell, an experienced editor with a specialty in contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historical romance, and women’s fiction. Boasting 20+ years in her editor career, Emily has edited 50-60 romance novels per year and introduced more than 70 new authors during her 18-year tenure at HarperCollins and Harlequin​​. With a broad scope of expertise, Emily offers editorial assessments, developmental editing, copy editing, and query letter assessments, applying her years of experience as an acquisitions editor to understand what catches editors’ and agents’ attention, ensuring your project is tailored to impress​.

3. James Powell

Meet James Powell, an editor who thrives on guiding new authors through the editorial process. With a talent for pacing and conflict creation, James focuses on making stories as compelling and engaging as possible, all while staying true to the author’s unique voice​. He offers a variety of services, including developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessment​. James is also a crowdfunding expert with successful Kickstarter campaigns under his belt, an invaluable asset for self-publishing authors​. With over 19 years of experience and glowing reviews, he brings not only expertise but also professionalism to every project​. Specializing in genre fiction, James is your partner in creating gripping narratives that resonate with readers.

4. John Ladd

John Ladd is an experienced copy editor who has been freelancing since 2004, working with self-publishing authors and publishers of all levels. Boasting over 200 books under his belt as an editor and contributing writer, John is known for his meticulous attention to detail. His specialties encompass a broad range, from academic, scientific, and medical texts to autobiographies and novels. John also has a keen interest in assisting authors for whom English is a second language, helping them articulate their stories and research fluently. He continues to refine his craft through professional development courses, ensuring his skills remain sharp and industry-relevant​.

5. Barry Timms

Discover the expertise of Barry Timms, an acclaimed book editor with over 20 years of experience and an award-winning author of over 15 children’s books. Barry specializes in picture books for ages 2-6 and has extensive experience working with a vast range of topics. His editorial acumen is honed by high-level roles at Macmillan Children’s Books, Walker Books, and Little Tiger Group, where he created commercially successful books for the UK, US, and international markets. He offers a range of services including developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and more. Known for being approachable, resourceful, and fun to work with, Barry is lauded for his ability to provide fresh insight and bring stories to life.

6. Ashley Rayner

Meet Ashley Rayner, a professional book editor with over a decade of experience. Ashley’s passion lies in turning authors’ dreams into polished, published books. A versatile editor, she’s worked on over 140 projects spanning academic and non-fiction to romance and sci-fi. Not just a freelancer, Ashley’s in-house experiences have honed her skills in copy editing, proofreading, and book production project management. Known for her thoroughness, Ashley offers a collaborative approach, providing support every step of the way. With a stellar track record in the industry, she’s ready to make your manuscript shine.

7. Kieran Devaney

Kieran Devaney is a seasoned editor specializing in crime, thriller, and contemporary fiction, with a track record of books published with both Big Five publishers and independent presses. Boasting a decade of experience, Kieran’s notable commercial clients include the Royal Shakespeare Company and the University of Manchester Press. His qualifications include a PhD in Fiction and an MA in Creative Writing. He offers a range of services including developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading, while supporting authors in maintaining their unique voice. Comfortable editing multiple variations of English, Kieran’s expertise extends to authorship, with published works in his portfolio.

8. Laurel Hecker

Meet Laurel Hecker, an accomplished editor with a special focus on nonfiction, particularly in the K–12 education field, memoirs, and travel writing. Laurel’s editorial prowess extends beyond providing detailed edits for clarity, consistency, and style; she excels at developmental editing, taking a bird’s eye view of your book to ensure the structure, content, and overall flow mesh seamlessly. She’s known for delivering insightful feedback and precise edits, all while fostering a strong, collaborative relationship with her authors. Laurel’s extensive work experience includes roles as a Senior Editor at Solution Tree Press and as a Developmental Editor at The Creator Institute, showcasing her ability to guide authors through the content development process and manage multiple book projects. Certified in Advanced Copy editing by the Editorial Freelancers Association, she’s ready to help you make your book the best it can be.

Our journey through the world of freelance copy editing ends here, but the impact of these professionals on our reading experiences continues. We hope this list has given you a glimpse into the crucial role that copy editors play, ensuring every word, sentence, and paragraph comes together to tell a story as the author intended.