Book Editors

8 Historical Fiction Editors to Help You Travel to the Past

As a realm of storytelling that spins tales from the loom of the past, historical fiction allows us to embark on a journey through time, immersing us in cultures, events, and personalities that have shaped our world. To weave the threads of history into a compelling narrative takes not only a gifted writer but also a skilled editor with a keen eye for historical accuracy and narrative finesse.

Whether you’re an author looking to polish your manuscript or a reader curious about the minds behind your favorite titles, we’re thrilled to present our top 8 historical fiction book editors in the US. These professionals have honed their craft in the editing field, ensuring that each historical novel they work on is not just factually accurate but also engaging, evocative, and utterly transportive.

1. Susannah Noel

Meet Susannah Noel, a friendly and supportive freelance editor with an impressive 25-year tenure at Macmillan. Specializing in women’s fiction, memoir, and historical fiction, Susannah has worked with hundreds of authors, such as Randy Rainbow and Liane Moriarty, for prestigious publishers including Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House. Authors have praised her ability to maintain accuracy while respecting their unique voice. As a co-founder of the Editorial Arts Academy, she is dedicated to mentoring aspiring book editors. With a deep passion for helping authors tell their stories, Susannah offers her expert eye to novelists ready for professional editing services​.

2. Will Tyler

Will Tyler is a trusted freelance editor specializing in a range of genres, including romance, mystery, suspense, sci-fi, and fantasy. With twelve years of experience, averaging fifty books per year, he has demonstrated his expertise with reputable publishers such as Berkley, Harlequin, and Orbit Books. His services cover both copy editing and proofreading, ensuring the clarity, correctness, and conciseness of your work. He’s known for his meticulous approach to grammar and formatting, which ensures that your manuscript is not only polished but also ready for a book designer. Will’s experience extends across various subgenres and styles, making him a versatile choice for your historical fiction project.

3. Geoffrey Stone

Meet Geoffrey Stone, a seasoned editor with two decades of experience in nonfiction books for esteemed publishers like Thomas Nelson and Running Press​. With his roots in major publishing houses, Geoffrey has honed his skills in evaluating projects for marketability and meticulously copyediting various genres such as memoirs, biographies, business, cooking, sports, Christian living, and history​. Geoffrey’s expertise extends to Christian and historical fiction​, and he’s fluent in US English.

His career has seen him in roles such as Senior Editor at Running Press and Editor in Chief at Thomas Nelson Publishers, where he managed title management, acquisitions, and editorial, publishing about 30 books annually across diverse genres​. Currently, as a self-employed editor and consultant, he oversees the editorial work of multiple and diverse projects​​. Geoffrey’s love for helping authors tell their story and his commitment to making your book ready for publication makes him an excellent choice for your historical fiction editing needs​.

4. Ann Leslie Tuttle

Ann Leslie Tuttle is an award-winning editor with a career spanning over 25 years in the publishing industry. She specializes in women’s fiction, romance, and thrillers, having worked with NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, as well as debut writers. She offers developmental editing and editorial assessment services. With a background as a Senior Editor at Harlequin Books and a current role as a Literary Agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, Ann Leslie stays current on market trends and excels in nurturing talented writers. Her approach is gentle, nurturing, and comprehensive, helping writers hone their craft and best reflect their vision in their work.

5. Dave Valencia

Dave Valencia is an experienced editor specializing in literary and historical fiction. Known for his proficiency in Chicago style, he also offers services in copy editing and proofreading. Dave has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from high-profile titles like Dan Savage’s “American Savage” to self-published works and small press titles. Besides fiction, his expertise extends to non-fiction genres including memoirs, general science, self-help, and true crime. With a solid background in different authorial styles, he ensures thorough and professional work while preserving your voice. He’s been self-employed since 2012, holds a University of Washington Certificate in Editing, a Masters in Library Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.

6. Rachel Stout

Drawing on her extensive experience in the New York trade publishing world, Rachel Stout, a former literary agent, offers top-tier editorial services for authors looking to refine their historical fiction works. Her offerings include developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review, with a particular focus on creating narratives and protagonists with distinct, identifiable voices. She has over 10 years of experience, including a stint as a literary agent at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management and as an independent editor and ghostwriter since 2015. Rachel is passionate about providing detailed feedback and guidance, and even offers a sample edit for those wishing to experience her hands-on editing style.

7. Maria D’Marco

Maria D’Marco is an empathetic and progressive developmental editor with over 25 years of experience specializing in YA, historical fiction, series/trilogies, and self-help​​. With a writer’s soul, she brings clarity and passion to every manuscript, offering unique editing services tailored to the specific needs of each book​. Always up-to-date with contemporary publishing standards and trends, Maria fosters enlightening relationships with authors, remaining available even after the completion of an edit to ensure optimal understanding and utilization of her guidance​. Her services include developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review​, and she works in both UK and US English​. With a strong track record of helping authors from the initial concept to the final polish, Maria is a committed partner in the journey to publication.

8. Julie Blattberg

Meet Julie Blattberg, a seasoned copy editor and proofreader with a wealth of experience from renowned publishing houses. Since 1993, Julie has supported authors in perfecting their manuscripts, working closely with them to maintain their unique voice while ensuring impeccable grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Her portfolio includes work with award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors from Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and Disney Publishing, as well as commissions from other leading publishers such as Random House and Hyperion​.

In her roles, Julie has demonstrated a keen eye for details, spotting inconsistencies and repetitions, and performing fact-checking to uphold the strength of manuscripts. Julie is highly adept in handling various genres including historical fiction, literary fiction, and young adult fiction, among others. Her expertise, versatility, and commitment to quality make her an exceptional choice for authors looking to bring their historical fiction book to life​.

With their expansive knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and history of working with award-winning authors, these historical fiction book editors are truly the best in the industry. Choosing any of them would mean entrusting your manuscript to a seasoned professional who can elevate your work to its highest potential.