Book Editors
Finding the Right Editor for Your Book
Every great book begins with a strong idea—but even the best stories need refinement to reach their full potential. A skilled editor does more than correct errors; they help shape your manuscript so your words resonate with readers, your story flows smoothly, and your voice remains authentically yours.
At Authors’ HQ, we believe in the power of collaboration. That’s why we’ve gathered a team of trusted, experienced editors who specialize in a wide range of genres and editing styles. Whether you need big-picture guidance, sentence-level polish, or a final proofread, our editors are here to help.
Browse the editor profiles below to find the right match for your book. Each editor has their own areas of expertise, approach, and editing style—click on their profile to learn more about their background and how they can support your publishing journey.
When you’re ready, submit your manuscript to get started. Let’s take your book to the next level together.
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Penny Arnold
Developmental editor, copy/line editor, proofreader
Areas of Specialty:
Nonfiction (academic and commercial): African American Studies, Business, History/Biography/Autobiography, International Studies, Journalism, LGBTQ+, Memoir, Politics/Public Policy/Government, Self-help/How-to, Social Work
Penny Arnold’s first career was in journalism. After eight years as a reporter and a year as a rewrite specialist, she moved up to assistant city editor, honing her line and developmental editing skills at papers such as the Baltimore News American, Dayton Daily News, and San Jose Mercury News. Reporters on her teams at those papers, as well as the Times-Herald Record of Middletown, New York, received Pulitzer nominations. She also worked as a copy editor at Newsday.
She transitioned to freelance book editing in the 1990s, securing assignments from both university presses and trade publishers. Through word-of-mouth and personal referrals, she has built a loyal group of authors who return to her for book after book. She has edited more than one hundred book manuscripts.
Amelia Beamer
Developmental Editor, Manuscript Critiques, Work-in-Progress Beta Reading, Query Letters and Book Proposals
Areas of Specialty:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Erotica, Romance, Young Adult, Thrillers, Literary Fiction
Amelia Beamer has a long list of publishing industry credits. Her background includes over 15 years of magazine editing, running an imprint of translated titles for a major Japanese publisher, and being a traditionally published and critically acclaimed novelist.
As an independent book editor, she approaches novel editing as a fan first, with a reverence for the craft, diligence, and integrity that it takes to write a novel. Her feedback is designed to make sure books are as competitive as possible without changing the author’s voice. She strives to live in that balance between being kind and being thorough in her editing.
Besides her favorite genres listed above, she’s also happy to take on nonfiction and books that don’t easily fit into categories.
Martine Bellen
Developmental Editor, Manuscript Critique, Manuscript Editor, Work-in-Progress Reader, Copy/Line Editor
Areas of Specialty:
Commercial Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction (Education Specialist)
Martine Bellen, a poet—whose ear guides her when line editing—began her editing career over thirty years ago at Conjunctions, a literary journal on whose masthead she remains. She was the co-editor, with Bradford Morrow and Lee Smith, of issue 28, “Tributes,” comprised of personal essays in which authors that include playwright Ntozake Shange; film director and screenwriter John Sayles; poet Robert Creeley; and master of terror and the supernatural Peter Straub pay homage to a writer they hold in high esteem.
From there, Bellen’s book-editing work extended to editorial positions at the houses Henry Holt and Company and Carroll & Graf Publishers. Authors whose books she acquired include Denise Mina (now published by Little Brown), Amanda Filipacchi (now published by Norton), and Can Xue, who has been longlisted for the Booker Prize and is a Nobel Prize for Literature favorite.
Theodora Bryant
Developmental Editor, Copy/Line Editor, Manuscript Evaluation
Areas of Specialty:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Theodora Bryant has thirty years of experience in the editing and publishing businesses, first through her own small press, and then as a freelance developmental editor — experience that has produced an impressive track record of successful novels.
Her work has resulted in several authors garnering U.S. and international “Amazon Book of the Year” awards in science fiction and fantasy, “Finalist” and “Winner” awards in romance and mystery, and excellent reviews from critics such as Library Journal.
She believes the author-editor relationship is a valuable part of the job and credits that connection for the success of the hundreds of authors she’s helped in multiple genres — some who’ve only finished one book, others who are on their fifth — by keeping that relationship front and center.
Karin Cather
Author, Ghostwriter, Developmental Editor, Copy Editor
Areas of Specialty:
Apocalyptic Fiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Police Procedural, Narrative Nonfiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thrillers, True Crime, Martial Arts
Karin Cather, with her background as a former prosecutor and a Krav Maga black belt, uniquely blends her skills in editing and ghostwriting. She specializes in detective, dystopian, select fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction. Karin also brings her expertise to forensic psych reports, providing valuable insights into behavioral health issues.
Her focus is on preserving the author’s voice and balancing creative expression with writing conventions, making her an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive and insightful editor or ghostwriter.
Stacey Donovan
Author, Ghostwriter, Developmental Editor, Manuscript Critique, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Publishing Consultant
Areas of Specialty:
Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult, Erotic Romance, Erotica, LGBTQ, Memoir
Stacey Donovan is an award-winning book editor, ghostwriter, and author, celebrated for her work across multiple genres. She has edited or ghostwritten dozens of published books, many receiving critical acclaim and prestigious awards, such as New York Times Bestsellers and International Thriller Awards.
Donovan’s approach to editing and ghostwriting is marked by her close engagement with the material and her clients, providing thorough, insightful, and sometimes humorous feedback. She is praised for her ability to understand and enhance unique writing styles, including those that push the boundaries of language and style. Her clients commend her for her professionalism, insightful evaluations, and the transformative impact she has on their work.
John David Kudrick
Copy Editor, Proofreader
Areas of Specialty:
Action/Adventure, Children’s Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary/Mainstream, Detective/Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense
John David Kudrick is a fiction specialist who offers copy editing and proofreading to authors. With almost thirty years of experience as a writer and editor, along with an MA focused on fiction, he’s had the opportunity to work on nearly 300 published fiction and nonfiction titles, serving authors from all over the U.S. and around the globe.
Along with editing and proofreading novels, John David continues to read a wide variety of fiction outside of work, allowing him to sharpen and increase his feel for and familiarity with the Land of Story. When he partners with an author, he focuses on making sure that their story is as clean and coherent as possible and that it’s ready to submit to agents and publishers or to self-publish.
Kendra Langeteig
Writing Coach, Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Publishing Consultant
Areas of Specialty:
Memoir, Literary Fiction, Personal Growth, Self-Help, Mind-Body, Science and Spirituality, How-to Guides
Kendra Langeteig, “The Book Doctor,” holds a PhD in English Literature from Indiana University. With a diverse background in teaching, research, and publishing, Kendra is adept at assisting experienced and first-time authors, including non-native English speakers.
As a specialist in “transformation,” Kendra resonates with powerful, heartfelt messages on behalf of positive societal change. Her clientele often includes life coaches, healing practitioners, and spiritual teachers seeking to share their insights and expertise in a practical book. Personal storytelling is featured in most of the self-help books she works on, and this former literature professor loves partnering with authors of memoirs and novels as well.
Kendra’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every new book and author is reflected in her intuitive, holistic approach. Skilled at deep listening, she encourages authors to grow as writers as the journey unfolds. Working with Kendra, authors learn more about the finer craft of book writing and develop the confidence to launch their books into the world.
Kevin Miller
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Screenplays, Historical Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, How-To, Self-Help, Christian Fiction and Nonfiction, Graphic Novels
Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Typesetter, Cover Designer
Kevin Miller is a thirty-year veteran of the publishing industry who has edited hundreds of books for traditional publishers as well as indie publishers and authors. Throughout his career, Kevin has shepherded dozens of writers toward publication, including those who have gone the traditional route and those who have chosen to self-publish.
Some of Kevin’s clients include actor William B. Davis (X-Files, Upload), Hollywood storyboard artist Doug Brode (Maze Runner, Thor), broadcaster and former NFL football player Spencer Tillman, and Glass Hammer co-founder Steve Babb.
Kevin has extensive experience at every stage of the publishing process, from developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading to typesetting, cover design, and marketing.
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 to the writer-editor relationship.