Book Editors

8 Romance Book Editors Who’ll Make Your Readers Swoon

The world of romance literature is an enchanting one, rife with tales of passion, desire, and timeless bonds. Behind each gripping novel lies the meticulous work of a talented editor who carefully refines each story, accentuating its allure and ensuring that it resonates with readers. These unsung heroes of the publishing world breathe life into the words that capture our hearts, and in doing so, help to create the magic that defines the genre. Today, we’re sharing the bios of 8 top romance book editors: the individuals who are helping to craft love stories that captivate, inspire, and leave us yearning for more.

1. Shannon Cave

Shannon Cave is an experienced and encouraging editor who specializes in developmental and copy editing. Based in Seattle, Shannon is passionate about helping authors get one step closer to their publishing goals, particularly within the romance and mystery genres. As a traditionally published author herself, she understands the journey from both sides of the desk. Shannon has worked with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, as well as debut authors, both traditionally and self-published. Her services include developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and query letter reviews. She is praised for her detailed, insightful, and respectful approach to editing, always keeping the author’s unique voice in mind.

2. Peter Senftleben

Peter Senftleben is an accomplished romance book editor with over 15 years of traditional publishing experience. Based in New York, Peter has a broad range of genre expertise and a constructive, collaborative style. He has worked on more than 300 titles, many of which have been awarded and listed as New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. Peter offers developmental editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and query letter review services. His relaxed and collaborative style focuses on the author’s intentions, often offering revision suggestions and thought-provoking questions to help authors view their work from different perspectives.

3. Will Tyler

Will Tyler is a trusted copy editor and proofreader with twelve years of experience, specializing in genres such as romance, mystery, suspense, sci-fi, and fantasy. Based in Chicago, Will has worked with publishers like Berkley, romance book publisher Harlequin, and Orbit Books, averaging fifty books per year. He offers copy editing and proofreading services, ensuring that your writing is clear, correct, and concise. Will uses the main style guide and dictionary for the region you are publishing in, and provides a style sheet to ensure consistency throughout the publishing stages. His work is highly appreciated by his clients for his professionalism and quality.

4. Brooks Becker

Brooks Becker is a seasoned proofreader and copyeditor with a love for stories about wild adventures. Based in New York, Brooks has honed her skills at St. Martin’s Press and Penguin Random House, working on both fiction and non-fiction titles. She has also completed the NYU copyediting course and has edited over 100 self-published titles. Brooks is committed to making books readable and grammatically correct while preserving the author’s voice. Although she specializes in memoir and women’s fiction, she is open to editing books of any genre. Her services include copy editing and proofreading.

5. Miriam Kriss

Miriam Kriss is a literary agent with nearly 20 years of experience in New York publishing, specializing in both adult and children’s commercial fiction. She has a passion for helping writers refine their work and discover their strengths. Miriam has a track record of taking numerous debut authors from the slush pile to the New York Times Bestseller List. She offers developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review services. Miriam is known for her ability to help authors understand their audience and craft their manuscript and pitch to excite readers.

6. Lucy York

Lucy York is a fiction editor with 17 years of experience, specializing in adult romance, adult fantasy, and young adult fiction. Based in Brighton, UK, Lucy offers manuscript critiques, developmental edits, and line-edits in both UK and US English. She has worked her way up from an editorial assistant to managing editor at Summersdale (Octopus), and has freelanced for Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Titan Books among others. Lucy is known for her ability to develop believable characters, create vividly real worlds, and provide practical solutions to plot problems, all while maintaining the author’s unique voice.

7. Judi Weiss

Judi Weiss is an experienced editor specializing in romance, young adult, middle grade, and adult fiction. She has previously worked as an assistant editor at Entangled Publishing and is currently an editor at Radish Fiction. Judi has also worked as an assistant at Tobias Literary Agency and has mentored in writing contests like PitchWars, helping several writers secure agents and publishing contracts. She has edited for bestselling authors such as Rachel Harris and Jennifer Shirk. Judi offers developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and query letter review services, making her a versatile choice for authors at different stages of their writing journey.

8. Ken Salikof

Ken Salikof is a seasoned manuscript editor who has worked with New York Times bestselling authors. He is also a published author and ghostwriter, bringing a wealth of experience and perspective to his work. Ken’s diverse writing career includes roles as an award-winning screenwriter, a studio reader for major film studios, a book reviewer, and an interviewer for prominent publications. His services include developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review. Ken’s multifaceted background in the writing industry enhances his ability as a manuscript editor, making him an excellent choice for authors seeking comprehensive editorial support.

In the realm of romance, these exceptional editors not only shape narratives but also weave dreams into every page, creating stories that linger long after the last word. As we close this list, let’s raise a toast to their artistry and dedication that continue to make the world of romance literature a more vibrant, captivating, and emotional place.