Other Specialists

Researchers

Researchers help you gather information, primary sources, and background material for your book.

When to hire: Hire a researcher when your project needs source-gathering, background work, or investigation you don't have time to do yourself. Best engaged early — during outlining or first draft — before major writing hinges on unverified material.

How this differs from related services

  • vs. Fact Checkers: Researchers help you gather source material and background. Fact-checkers verify specific claims already in the manuscript. Research comes first. See fact checkers →
  • vs. Subject-Matter Experts: A researcher is a generalist who can dig into a topic for you. An SME is a specialist who is that topic. Use SMEs for domain judgment; researchers for source-gathering. See subject-matter experts →

Find Researchers

15 listed. Open full directory with filters →

researcher

Anne Barngrover

Rate: Varies

A literary researcher and academic consultant with experience supporting authors in historical fiction and narrative nonfiction. She specializes in archival research, primary source verification, and helping authors navigate university library systems. Her background includes graduate-level humanities research and freelance consulting for trade authors.

archival researchprimary source locationfact verificationbibliography compilation
Historical FictionNarrative NonfictionBiographyLiterary Fiction
researcher

Catherine Bloom

Portland, OR· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A cultural historian and independent research consultant specializing in women's history, social movements, and 20th-century American domestic life. She assists authors of literary fiction, historical fiction, and feminist narrative nonfiction in building authentic social and cultural contexts for their stories. Catherine holds a doctorate in American Studies and has collaborated with several published novelists.

cultural context researchsocial history consultationperiod-accurate detail sourcingannotated bibliographies
Literary FictionHistorical FictionWomen's FictionMemoirNarrative Nonfiction+1 more
researcher

David Okonkwo

Washington, DC· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A political scientist and research consultant who supports authors writing political thrillers, current events nonfiction, and speculative fiction with geopolitical dimensions. He draws on a background in African and global politics to advise on international relations, governance structures, and political conflict dynamics. He is available for project-based consulting through his independent practice.

geopolitical researchpolitical system analysisforeign policy consultationbackground research
ThrillerSpeculative FictionDystopianPolitics & Current EventsNarrative Nonfiction+1 more
Boston, MA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A retired physician and medical consultant who assists thriller, crime fiction, and health-related nonfiction authors with medical accuracy. He reviews manuscripts for procedural and clinical accuracy, advises on hospital settings, drug interactions, and forensic pathology details. His consulting practice is built on two decades of emergency medicine practice.

medical accuracy reviewclinical consultationforensic pathology guidancemanuscript review
ThrillerCrime FictionMysteryTrue CrimeHealth & Wellness+1 more
New York, NY· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

The Editorial Freelancers Association maintains a directory of professional researchers, editors, and fact-checkers available for hire by authors and publishers. Members include specialists in archival research, medical and scientific fact-checking, and general book research. The EFA is one of the oldest and most respected professional organizations for freelance editorial workers in the United States.

researchfact-checkingcopyeditingproofreading
Literary FictionHistorical FictionNarrative NonfictionBiographyScience+3 more
researcher

Eleanor Marsh

Richmond, VA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A professional genealogist and archival researcher with expertise in 19th-century American records, census data, immigration documents, and regional historical archives. She has assisted memoir writers and historical novelists in reconstructing family and community histories with authenticity. Eleanor is available independently and through the Association of Professional Genealogists directory.

genealogical researchcensus record researchimmigration record researchregional archive access
MemoirHistorical FictionNarrative NonfictionBiographyWomen's Fiction
researcherFiverr

Fiverr Research Category

Rate: $5-500

Fiverr hosts a broad marketplace of freelance researchers offering services from general internet research to specialized archival and academic research for authors. Researchers on the platform vary widely in expertise and price, making it accessible for authors with smaller budgets or narrower, well-defined research tasks. Authors can review portfolios, ratings, and past project descriptions before hiring.

internet researchfact-checkingbackground researchtopic summaries
Literary FictionCommercial FictionHistorical FictionMysteryThriller+6 more
researcherReedsy

Hannah Lowe

Minneapolis, MN· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A children's and young adult literature researcher who specializes in supporting authors with age-appropriate content research, educational standards alignment, and cultural accuracy for younger audiences. She has a background in school librarianship and children's publishing and offers consultations on representation, developmental appropriateness, and classroom market fit. She accepts clients through Reedsy and independently.

age-appropriateness reviewcurriculum alignment researchcultural accuracy consultationmarket research for children's publishing
Young AdultMiddle GradeChildren'sPicture BooksFantasy+1 more
researcherReedsy

Marcus Webb

Fayetteville, NC· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A military historian and veteran who provides research consulting for authors writing military fiction, historical fiction, and war-related narrative nonfiction. He specializes in 20th-century conflicts including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and advises on military culture, equipment, rank structure, and tactical authenticity. He is active on Reedsy and also accepts direct commissions.

military accuracy reviewtactical researchperiod weapons and equipment consultationveteran culture advising
Historical FictionThrillerNarrative NonfictionBiographyAdventure+1 more
New Orleans, LA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A freelance archival researcher specializing in French and American history from the 18th through 20th centuries, with particular expertise in colonial and post-colonial records. She has supported historical novelists and narrative nonfiction authors by locating rare documents in European archives. She offers translation services for French-language primary sources.

archival researchdocument translationgenealogical researchprimary source photography
Historical FictionNarrative NonfictionBiographyTrue Crime
researcher

Priya Nair

London, UK· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

A science communicator and research consultant who helps science fiction, speculative fiction, and popular science authors ground their work in accurate scientific principles. She has a background in biochemistry and science journalism and specializes in making complex topics — genetics, climate science, AI — accessible and narratively useful. She works with authors at the drafting and revision stages.

scientific accuracy reviewconcept explanationresearch summariessource recommendation
Science FictionSpeculative FictionDystopianNarrative NonfictionScience+1 more
researcherUpwork

Rafael Santos

Miami, FL· Remote OK
Rate: $60-120/hr

A forensic science consultant and true crime researcher who helps authors of crime fiction, thrillers, and true crime nonfiction understand investigative procedures, crime scene analysis, and forensic evidence. He draws on years of work as a forensic science technician and has transitioned into consulting for writers seeking procedural authenticity. He is available on Upwork and directly.

forensic procedure reviewcrime scene authenticity consultationinvestigative timeline researchevidence handling accuracy review
Crime FictionThrillerMysteryTrue CrimeNarrative Nonfiction
researcherReedsy

Reedsy Research Services

San Francisco, CA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Reedsy's marketplace includes vetted professional researchers who assist authors across fiction and nonfiction genres. Researchers on the platform offer fact-checking, background research, and subject-matter consultation. The platform vets all professionals and facilitates secure project agreements.

fact-checkingbackground researchsubject-matter consultationarchival research
Historical FictionNarrative NonfictionMemoirThrillerMystery+3 more
researcherUpwork

Sophia Trent

Chicago, IL· Remote OK
Rate: $50-150/hr

A legal researcher and former paralegal who specializes in helping crime fiction, thriller, and legal drama authors achieve procedural accuracy. She offers research into courtroom procedure, criminal law, civil litigation, and law enforcement protocols across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. She is available through Upwork with a strong review history from published authors.

legal procedure researchcriminal law consultationcourt document researchjurisdiction-specific legal research
Crime FictionThrillerMysteryLegal DramaTrue Crime+1 more
researcher

Thomas Kearney

Edinburgh, UK· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

An independent academic research consultant with a background in history and philosophy who supports authors of literary fiction, speculative fiction, and intellectual nonfiction with deep-dive research on complex philosophical, theological, and historical topics. He specializes in locating obscure academic sources, synthesizing scholarly debates, and presenting findings accessibly for trade authors. He is available for long-term project partnerships.

academic literature reviewphilosophical concept researchtheological history researchannotated source lists
Literary FictionSpeculative FictionHistorical FictionEssaysNarrative Nonfiction+1 more

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Profiles are sourced from public directories and community submissions. Always verify credentials and rates directly with each professional before hiring.