Fantasy writing is a complex endeavor. From crafting new worlds to balancing tropes and originality, making sure your storytelling is cohesive, well-paced, and grammatically impeccable, it can be a lot to juggle on your own.
If you’re looking for a fantasy editor to lend a helping hand and bring your story to the next level, look no further. Here’s a list of recommended professionals who all know their Gandalfs from their Gollums, and who can help you iron out the wrinkles of your drafts.
1. Rebecca Brewer
Former Penguin editor Rebecca Brewer has worked with industry big hitters like Guy Gavriel Kay and Ilona Lewis, and knows a thing or two about what it takes to make a fantasy story, well, fantastic. As a lover of anything speculative, she works widely across the fantasy and sci-fi genres, but holds a special place in her heart for “projects that are quirky, unusual, dark, queer, or ones that [she needs] to read fanfiction of immediately.”
Services: Developmental Editing, Editorial Assessment, Query Letter Review
Speciality genres: Historical Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy
Fun fact: Rebecca has previously worked as an author’s assistant for novelist Peter V. Brett which helped her understand the inner workings of being an author.
2. Katie Bucklein
If you’re looking for a specialist in dialogue, conflict building, and crafting three-dimensional characters, you’ve come to the right place. That just happens to be what Katie Bucklein does best. Fantasy isn’t the only genre in her wheelhouse — Katie also specializes in romance, so she’s the ideal choice to help you polish your heartfelt romantasy novel.
Services: Copy Editing, Editorial Assessment, Proofreading
Specialty genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance
Fun fact: Before she took up freelance editing, Katie was a mentor at PitchWars.
3. Christine Crabb
If you’re looking for an attentive and experienced copy editor or proofreader for your epic fantasy, or your Gaming & LitRPG texts, Christine Crabb has the eye of a hawk and will make sure your manuscript comes back clean as it can be. But don’t take our word for it. Her curriculum vitae sports names such as Harvard and Cambridge University Press, as well as an extensive portfolio that even includes Microsoft Office’s user manual so, rest assured that you’ll be putting your work in capable hands, no matter how technical or complex.
Services: Copy Editing, Proofreading
Specialty genres: Epic fantasy, Gaming & LitRPG, Horror, Computers & Internet
Fun fact: Christine has edited an impressive amount of Star Wars products, Arkham novels, and Genesys sourcebooks.
4. Julie Holderman
It goes without saying that an editor needs to have a good understanding of the art of storytelling. But Julie Holderman takes it one step further, and studying storytelling has become her obsession, from Aristotle’s Poetics to Scott McLoud’s Understanding Comics. She’ll help you crystalize your theme, clarify your tone, and cover any plot holes you might have. Why not ask New York Times bestselling author, Tamora Pierce, who recommends Julie for her “on-point creative critiques” and “the sharpness of her editing.”
Services: Developmental Editing, Editorial Assessment
Specialty genres: Epic Fantasy, LGBTQ Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and YA Fantasy.
Fun fact: Julie is also a published author with Tortall: A Spy’s Guide, which was released by Penguin Random House Children’s Books.
5. Misha Kydd
Misha Kydd is a copy editor and proofreader with extensive experience editing children’s and YA literature. But she also loves adult fiction. In fact, she has a soft spot for “quirky fantasy, out-of-the-box romance, creative gaming/RPGs, and projects with queer themes” so if your work fits any of those descriptions, Misha might just be the editor you’re looking for.
Services: Copy Editing, Proofreading
Specialty genres: Epic Fantasy, Gaming & LitRPG, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade fantasy, YA Fantasy
Fun fact: Besides freelancing, Misha also works as a production editor (which means she copy edits and proofreads) for Penguin Young Readers.
6. Matt. Murray
If you take a glance at Matt Murray’s portfolio, you’ll find a who’s who of some of the most popular comic book franchises of the past 50 years, from The Smurfs to the post-Marvel works of Stan Lee (yes, that Stan Lee!). The rest of Matt’s resume is just as impressive, showcasing his work as a writer, producer, director, actor, illustrator, and historian. With such wide and varied experience, Matt can approach your fantasy from any angle, using his unique insight to sharpen your story into something exceptional.
Services: Book Coaching, Copy Editing, Developmental Editing, Editorial Assessment
Specialty genres: Action & Adventure, Comics & Graphic Novels, Comics Non-Fiction, Entertainment Fantasy, Horror, Plays & Screenplays, Science Fiction
Fun fact: Matt instructs “Adventures in Comics” at his local community college, a how-to course of his own design that teaches children and adults alike the joys of comic books.
7. Joseph Nassise
A bestselling urban fantasy author in his own right, Joseph Nassise has plenty of experience with what goes into a good fantasy story. Joseph is particularly well-versed in Dark Fantasy, having served two terms as president of the Horror Writers Association. If your story strays into darker territory, Joseph is the ideal guide to navigate its eerie twists and turns.
Services: Developmental Editing, Copy Editing, Editorial Assessment, Book Coaching
Specialty genres: Action & Adventure, Anthologies, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Fun fact: Outside of the publishing world, Joseph practices archery — an appropriate hobby for a fantasy nut!
8. Amie Norris
Amie Norris is a certified copy editor and proofreader whose sweet spot is “great stories,” but especially those in the fantasy and memoir genre. Her aim is to preserve her authors’ voices, while making their work shine and she follows The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary to achieve consistent results. With over 20 years of experience, this is no crutch, but the practice of a consummate professional.
Services: Copy Editing, Proofreading
Specialty genres: Epic Fantasy, Dystopian, Middle Grade Fantasy, YA Fantasy
Fun fact: Amie not only has a bachelor’s degree in sociology but used to work as a childbirth educator and is a board-certified lactation consultant.
9. Sandra Ogle
With over 15 years of experience working as an editor for various major publishers, including senior production editor for Penguin, Sandra Ogle has worked with some of the best in the industry. Her sharp eye and keen sense for detail aside, Sandra will bring valuable insights from the publishing industry to your manuscript, making sure it’s ready to hit the market whether you choose to query agents and publishers, or whether you go down the self-publishing route.
Services: Developmental Editing, Copy Editing, Editorial Assessment, Proofreading, Query Letter Review
Specialty genres: Dystopian, Post-apocalyptic, Time Travel, Fantasy, YA
Fun fact: Besides a Bachelor’s in English, Sandra also has an MA in Journalism!
10. Scott Pearson
If you’re looking for an experienced proofreader or copy editor for your novel, then look no further! Scott Pearson got his start in publishing all the way back in 1987, and in the time since, he’s been involved in the creation of over three hundred books. Still not convinced? Here’s what NYT bestselling author Kirsten Beyer had to say about working with Scott: “I am always relieved when I see [Scott’s] name on one of my works because I know that I’m about to enter into a dialogue with a trusted partner as I review his notes.”
Services: Copy Editing, Developmental Editing, Editorial Assessment, Proofreading
Specialty genres: Anthologies, Fantasy, Military Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Space Opera, Steampunk, Time Travel
Fun fact: Scott has been the primary copyeditor for Simon & Schuster’s Star Trek novels since 2014.
11. Chris Urie
In another life, Chris Urie was a slush reader at Clarkesworld Magazine, where he spent his time leafing through thousands of sci-fi and fantasy short story submissions. Reading so many short stories has given Chris a keen sense for pacing and what makes a narrative stand out from the crowd. With a preference for soft, character-based narratives, Chris can act as a delicate guiding hand to help bring your fantasy to life.
Services: Developmental Editing, Editorial Assessment
Specialty genres: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Short Story
Fun fact: In his spare time, Chris is a keen pet photographer.
Hiring an editor is a publishing investment well worth its weight in gold! Whether you’re building entirely new worlds or are simply injecting magical, fantastical elements into a version of our own world, there’s an editor out there who can help you tie it all together and elevate your story to new heights. Best of luck!
About the author
Nick Bailey writes about anything and everything in the realm of writing and publishing. From articles on honing your craft to launching your book, Nick aims to provide valuable insights and practical tips to the Litreactor community in his posts. Aside from books, Nick enjoys hiking, electronic music, and filling up his personal cookbook with new recipes.
