Hire the Best Developmental Editors
in the United Kingdom

More than 3,000 reviews on G2
Rating is 4.5 out of 5.
4.5/5
of Upwork by G2 peer reviewers
Katherine W.

Salisbury, United Kingdom

$30/hr
5.0
88 jobs

I am a developmental editor, line editor, copyeditor and proofreader specializing in fiction. My mission is to ensure your work is the best it can be, allowing your readers to get lost in the story and not be distracted by big-picture continuity errors, erroneous commas and run-on sentences. No editor can guarantee one hundred percent perfection, but I do my absolute best to get close. • Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) • Club Ed Certificate in Developmental Editing of Fiction • I offer developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading services • I work in both UK and US English • All genres accepted • I follow the style guide of your choice, or, together, we can create one • Friendly and prompt communication • Trade clients include Penguin Random House, The Wild Rose Press, Troubador Publishing

  • Developmental Editing
  • Proofreading
  • Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Copy Editing
Bethany W.

Hugglescote, United Kingdom

$40/hr
5.0
15 jobs

I’m a narrative development editor and researcher with a degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge and over ten years of experience helping writers, creatives, and clients tell their stories with clarity, precision, and emotional impact. My background blends traditional editorial skills with deep training in story structure, narrative strategy, and language refinement. I’ve completed advanced one-to-one mentorship with John Yorke (BBC Story, Into the Woods), and I apply these frameworks to projects ranging from literary fiction and memoir to strategic storytelling and brand narratives. I can help you with: ✅ Developmental Editing (structure, theme, and story logic) ✅ Book Coaching and Writing Feedback ✅ Ghostwriting (memoir, fiction, or narrative non-fiction) ✅ Copy Editing and Line Editing ✅ Proofreading and Final Review

  • Creative Writing
  • Writing
  • Content Writing
  • Article Writing
Daniel W.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

$55/hr
5.0
154 jobs

"Daniel is a real pro. If you are looking for a top-notch editor, Daniel's your guy. He'll take good writing and make it great. He can go as detailed as you need. Very flexible." "Daniel is an exceptional writer! He is professional, detail-oriented, and puts a lot of passion into his work. Furthermore, we greatly appreciated his insightful ideas and suggestions." **Expert-Vetted Badge (top one percent on Upwork)** **Top-Rated Plus Badge** Dan here, What started as a hobby for writing comedy has transformed into an extensive career encompassing writing, editing, and proofreading as key responsibilities. Originally from Canada, I have lived in the UK for the past five years, which has given me extensive knowledge and experience writing and editing in both UK and US English across a variety of industries and subjects. To date, I have worked closely with several digital marketing agencies, independent clients, and businesses and managed skilled teams of writers across multiple continents. Writing and editing are how I make a living. I never miss a deadline and consistently deliver content that stands apart from the competition. That's not just me saying that — take a quick scroll through my work history to see what previous clients have said about my work. Copywriting | Editing/Proofreading | Scriptwriting (YouTube, Advertising) Website Writing | Speechwriting | Content/Sales | VSLs | Speechwriting (TED Talks, Keynote, Corporate, Wedding, etc.) Feel free to reach out with any questions. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals in the near future.

  • Book Editing
  • Creative Writing
  • Copywriting
  • Website Copywriting
  • Website Content
  • Proofreading
  • Content Writing
  • Speech Writing
  • Copy Editing
  • Biography Writing
  • Article Writing
  • Sales Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • SEO Writing
  • Blog Writing
Esther W K.

London, United Kingdom

$50/hr
4.8
446 jobs

**I am available to take on new projects. Please send over a message through chat to discuss your editing/proofreading needs** With over 6 years and 370+ projects completed, I specialize in transforming manuscripts into polished, professional, and powerful books. My breadth of expertise spans both fiction and nonfiction, giving me a unique ability to adapt my skills to your specific needs; whether that's ensuring the logical flow of a business book or strengthening the arc of a novel. My core philosophy is that great editing amplifies your voice; it doesn't replace it. I partner with authors to refine their work with meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of narrative craft. My clients consistently highlight three key strengths that define my work: 1. Deep, Insightful Analysis: I go beyond the surface to strengthen the very foundation of your manuscript. "She has an ability to interpret meaning and read between the lines. She understood and strengthened the project's weaknesses." "Esther turned a good book into a great book." 2. Meticulous Polish & Clarity: I ensure your writing is crisp, clear, and consistent, allowing your ideas or story to shine without distraction. "Her edits were clean, insightful, and always improved clarity and flow without losing the heart of the text." "A detailed and meticulous editor... we can't praise her work enough!" 3. A Reliable, Collaborative Partnership: Your vision and timeline are my top priorities. I am known for clear communication, professionalism, and delivering outstanding work on schedule. "One of the best resources I have ever had. She respected the timelines and delivered outstanding work." "A dream to work with, professional, efficient, and incredibly respectful of my voice as a writer." Whether you are a debut author or an established expert, my goal is to provide an editing experience that is as exceptional as the final manuscript. Let's connect to discuss how my 6 years of experience across 370+ projects can bring clarity, impact, and professionalism to your book.

  • Developmental Editing
  • Content Editing
  • Copy Editing
  • Grammar & Syntax Review
  • Line Editing
  • Academic Editing
  • Beta Reading
  • Fiction
  • Nonfiction
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Proofreading
Jake W.

Bristol, United Kingdom

$45/hr
4.9
330 jobs

I help people with their creative projects. 📚 I help authors write better books 📚 💲 I help businesses create useful and engaging blogs ❓ 🎉 I help people celebrate special occasions with personalised poems ✒️ 🎲 I help game designers develop mechanics, finalise rules, and polish their content 🃏 All the people I help have one thing in common: they want to deliver a message. And through elegant language, persuasive arguments, and attention to detail, I can help you to deliver that message. I've edited novels across a plethora of genres, written blogs for countless web niches, delivered video scripts that have garnered millions of views... And now I'm here to help you. I always want to hear from new authors, businesses, and individuals who are serious about delivering the best message they can. Reputation is everything, and I want you to love working with me, just like these people: 😊 "Jake does great work. Tremendous writer and editor, and extremely creative. He went above and beyond, and I will be hiring him again soon!" 😊😊 "Jake was excellent. Knowledgeable, fast, professional, and above all, talented. He's on our rehire list, which is really, really short. That says all any potential client needs to know." 😊😊😊 "Jake did a fantastic job, is very personable, works well with a variety of needs, and customizes the experience for his individual clients. I am so excited to have found Jake as an editor, and will continue to use him for all of my future works throughout my life! Thank you, Jake!" 📞 Let's talk! For a no obligation chat about what I can offer, scroll back up the page, hit that "Invite to Job" button, and tell me about your story.

  • Developmental Editing
  • Copy Editing
  • Proofreading
Claire R.

Huddersfield, United Kingdom

$40/hr
5.0
93 jobs

I am an experienced writing and editorial professional who is capable, competent, creative, meticulous, and reliable. I am a clear thinker with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels, working well under pressure and exacting deadlines. * I am an experienced project manager, having project managed all aspects of print production and online content management for academic journals. * I am a qualified editor and proofreader, having obtained certification from the Publishing Training Centre and the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders. * I thrive under pressure and will never miss a deadline. I have a very strong work ethic and will work hard to achieve your goals, clarifying any points of ambiguity with you directly.

  • Developmental Editing
  • Creative Writing
  • Proofreading
  • Grammar & Syntax Review
  • Copy Editing
  • Content Management
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Copywriting
  • Beta Reading
  • Book Writing
  • Nonfiction Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • Article Writing
  • Blog Writing
  • Book Review

How it works

Post a job for free Post a job

Tell us what you need. Create your own job post or generate one with AI then filter talent matches.

Hire top talent fast

Consult, interview, and hire quickly, so you can meet the freelancers you're excited about.

Collaborate easily

Use Upwork to chat or video call, share files, and track project progress right from the app.

Payment simplified

Manage payments in one place with flexible billing options. Only pay for approved work, hourly or by milestone.

Don't just take our word for it

How do I hire a Developmental Editor in the United Kingdom on Upwork?

You can hire a Developmental Editor in the United Kingdom on Upwork in four simple steps:

  • Create a job post tailored to your Developmental Editor project scope. We'll walk you through the process step by step.
  • Browse top Developmental Editor talent on Upwork and invite them to your project.
  • Once the proposals start flowing in, create a shortlist of top Developmental Editor profiles and interview.
  • Hire the right Developmental Editor for your project from Upwork, the world's largest work marketplace.

At Upwork, we believe talent staffing should be easy.

How much does it cost to hire a Developmental Editor?

Rates charged by Developmental Editors on Upwork can vary with a number of factors including experience, location, and market conditions. See hourly rates for in-demand skills on Upwork.

Why hire a Developmental Editor in the United Kingdom on Upwork?

As the world's work marketplace, we connect highly-skilled freelance Developmental Editors and businesses and help them build trusted, long-term relationships so they can achieve more together. Let us help you build the dream Developmental Editor team you need to succeed.

Can I hire a Developmental Editor in the United Kingdom within 24 hours on Upwork?

Depending on availability and the quality of your job post, it's entirely possible to sign up for Upwork and receive Developmental Editor proposals within 24 hours of posting a job description.