Hire the Best Book Editors in Ohio

I am a heart-centered, human-powered editor and publishing consultant. In 2025, I supported more than 30 authors with nearly 60 books. I focus on making children’s books shine by uncovering the heart of the story and helping to ensure that message is developed on every page. I have served award-winning and best-selling authors, and I have coached first-time authors through publishing their debut picture book. Working with thoughtful and creative authors is an honor and a joy, and I love helping them shape their stories and enhance the messages they have prepared for young hearts. Working with me is not a transaction but a partnership, and together we will create something beautiful. My service model includes close collaboration and a team effort to make your story the best version of itself. ***Now booking for mid-April 2026. See pricing below the description of my services.*** What It's Like to Work with Me: I take time to get to know you and your goals for the project before jumping in. We'll talk about what you hope to accomplish, areas you feel strong in, and where you may need extra support. I'll briefly review your manuscript to determine the level of editing it requires so I can offer you a custom quote. You'll love my warm, encouraging style. Editing and Proofreading: I offer all levels of editing for children's books, from picture books and early readers to chapter books and middle-grade fiction. This includes: - Developmental Editing – I review the story structure, the character arc, plot, pacing, themes, age appropriateness, and more. I leave in-text comments pointing out specific areas for improvement as well as celebrating things you've done well. I also write up a developmental letter with notes for how to improve your story and guidance on the most important steps to take. This stage may take more than one pass as we clarify your story's theme and how to convey the message you want to share. - Line Editing – Once the structure is in place, I look at your story line by line, focusing on improving flow, exploring rhythm (even in non-rhyming books), clarifying tone, refining your characters' voices, and adjusting vocabulary and sentence structure to fit the developmental needs of your intended audience. - Copyediting and Proofreading – This final stage of editing ensures correct grammar, usage, and consistency throughout your book. I follow guidelines established by The Chicago Manual of Style, the industry standard in publishing. Pricing: Picture Books (up to 1,000 words): - Editorial Assessment: $140; 1 week - Developmental Editing – $275; 2–3 weeks - Line Editing – $195 ($250 for rhyme); 2–3 weeks - Copyediting – $110; 1 week - Full-Service Editing Bundle: $495; 4–6 weeks - Signature Package: $715 ((full-service editing + design/illustration consulting + publishing assistance; requires coordination with illustrator) Longer Works (10,000 words+): - Editorial Assessment: $0.015 per word - Developmental Editing: $0.035 per word - Line Editing: $0.03 per word - Copyediting: $0.025 per word - Formatting: $3.50 per page; only offered to editing clients Some bundles available. Priority projects are charged a separate rate. Writing for children is an art—and it’s an honor to help you bring your story to life with clarity, beauty, and heart. Design Consulting: I offer holistic planning for picture book design. My goal is to help the text and illustrations work together harmoniously. Using a storyboard (or book map), I help authors communicate their page designs to illustrators so that text placement is intentional, creating a cohesive design. And, as the visual storytelling takes shape, I offer ongoing line editing support to create a tight, cohesive book. My goal is to replicate the process established in traditional publishing houses. This seems to be an important component often missing the self-publishing process. Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark Support: Additionally, I offer assistance with publishing your book. This includes layout and design support. I use InDesign to lay out and typeset books. I can also help you upload your book to Amazon (KDP) and IngramSpark. You will receive guidance on your book descriptions and promotional copy as well as promotional guidance. I offer a "one-stop-shop" to encourage and empower authors to get their meaningful books out into the world. I'd love to discuss how I can support you!

My objective is to apply my knowledge, skills, and educational experience to working in writing, proofreading, editing, and contributing to educational content. As a writing teacher, I have graded thousands of papers, and I have also helped dozens of students place in writing contests. I have an eye for detail, and I am a thorough reader of content. I have edited and reviewed books for clients, and I am also a published writer.

Hiya, I'm Hilary—a creative editor with a love of perfecting words. And your words deserve clarity, impact, and polish. But everyone needs a second pair of eyes to create a great story. That’s where I come in. I help authors and brands bring out the best in their message by editing "like" worthy stories and content that resonates with the right audience. Your story matters—let’s make sure it’s told flawlessly no matter what you're working on: 1 | Branded Content Editing Perfect for social media, marketing material, blog posts, and website copy -Grammar & Clarity Check – Fix typos, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies -Brand Voice Alignment – Keep your tone and messaging consistent -SEO Optimization – Simplify/elevate readability and improve search rankings -Concise & Impactful Writing – Trim the fluff < enhance engagement 2 | Nonfiction & Self-Help Editing Ideal for ebooks and full-length nonfiction books -Structural & Developmental Editing – Strengthen flow, clarity, and logical progression -Fact-Checking & Accuracy – Verify consistency in research and citations -Tone & Readability Enhancement – Streamline wording and engagement for readers -Final Proofreading – A microscopic last pass for grammar, punctuation, and formatting 3 | Fiction Editing For novels, short stories, and creative writing projects (I'm a true crime and thriller nut) -Developmental Editing – Improve plot structure, pacing, and character development -Dialogue & Narrative Flow – Nail down authentic dialogue and engaging storytelling -Point of View & Consistency – Catch head-hopping and keep a steady perspective -Line Editing & Proofreading – Polish every sentence for clarity, style, and correctness I bring industry experience across publishing, marketing, and digital content so you can rely on every word of every project getting expert attention to detail. "Hilary was very personable and delivered before our deadline & provided a very clean copy written article. Would highly recommend." -Carla "Hilary is a talented editor. She dedicates a lot of time and attention to her work!" -RPM Services Group "Exceptionally easy to work with, very skilled at making sure the work was perfect. Looking forward to working together again." -Mark

I've always had a passion for storytelling and all of its forms. I'm an experienced editor with a keen eye for detail. My work is 100% Human (No AI). -Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association -Familiar with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and Final Draft -Adaptable to different editing styles (Chicago, MLA, etc.) -Consistent with communication: I will never leave you in the dark!

Detail-oriented mom and former teacher offering beta reading, editing & VA services. I read 8-12 books/month - Fast, reliable help! Available evenings EST—happy to tackle small proofreading jobs, email sorting, or scheduling tasks. Excited to help you succeed!

Hi there! I'm a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English and creative writing. My short stories and poems have appeared in literary magazines including Mantis, Sheepshead Review, and JAKE, who nominated me for a Best of the Net award. Similarly, I also have experience reading for and editing magazines. I primarily work with fiction, but I love working with any kind of writing, including poetry and nonfiction. I am excited to work with you to make your stories pop!