Other Specialists

Subject-Matter Experts

Subject-matter experts consult on specific fields — medical, legal, military, forensics, science, and more.

When to hire: Hire an SME early enough that their input can shape scenes — during outlining or first draft — and again during revision to verify final details. Rates vary widely by field.

How this differs from related services

  • vs. Technical Readers: SMEs are consulted on specific questions. Technical readers do full-manuscript reads to catch accuracy issues in context. See technical readers →
  • vs. Fact Checkers: SMEs provide domain judgment. Fact-checkers verify specific claims against sources. Use SMEs during drafting; fact-checkers during editing. See fact checkers →

Find Subject-Matter Experts

7 listed. Open full directory with filters →

subject_matter_expertReedsy

Anne Bernstein

Chicago, Illinois, USA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Former prosecuting attorney with 15 years of courtroom experience in criminal law who now consults authors on legal accuracy. She reviews manuscripts for realistic courtroom procedure, criminal law, and law enforcement protocols, and has worked with writers in mystery, thriller, and legal drama genres. She is particularly skilled at translating dry legal process into dramatically compelling but accurate narrative.

legal accuracy reviewcourtroom procedure consultationcriminal law fact-checkingcharacter authenticity for attorneys and law enforcement
MysteryThrillerCrime FictionLegal DramaTrue Crime+1 more
subject_matter_expert

David Axe

Columbia, South Carolina, USA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Award-winning war correspondent, journalist, and comic book author who has reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Chad, and other conflict zones, and consults authors on ground-level combat realism, war journalism, and modern warfare. He has written extensively on defense topics for Reuters, The Daily Beast, and Wired, and brings a civilian-journalist perspective to military accuracy consulting.

combat realism consultationmodern warfare accuracy reviewwar journalism authenticitydefense and weapons verification
ThrillerHistorical FictionAdventureTrue CrimeNarrative Nonfiction+1 more
subject_matter_expert

Dr. Sean Moore

Atlanta, Georgia, USA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Emergency medicine physician with over 18 years of clinical experience in Level I trauma centers who consults novelists and screenwriters on emergency medicine realism, trauma surgery, and hospital procedure. He reviews manuscripts for accurate portrayal of wounds, resuscitation, drug dosing, and ER culture, and has worked with authors across thrillers, medical dramas, and crime fiction. He is known for being author-friendly and turnaround-efficient.

emergency medicine accuracy reviewtrauma scenario consultationwound and injury verificationhospital procedure authenticity
ThrillerCrime FictionMysteryHealth & WellnessNarrative Nonfiction+1 more
subject_matter_expertEFA Member

Jessica Rabone

Manchester, United Kingdom· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Forensic scientist with a background in crime scene investigation and trace evidence analysis who consults crime and mystery authors on procedural accuracy. She has worked in UK forensic laboratories and offers manuscript review services covering evidence collection, chain of custody, laboratory analysis, and the realities of forensic testimony. She is particularly skilled at correcting 'CSI Effect' misconceptions common in fiction.

forensic science accuracy reviewcrime scene procedure consultationevidence analysis verificationlaboratory realism check
Crime FictionMysteryThrillerTrue Crime
subject_matter_expert

Joseph A. West

Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer with over 20 years of active duty service including deployments in multiple combat theaters. He consults fiction authors on military authenticity covering tactics, weapons, chain of command, culture, and the psychological realities of combat. His consulting work spans thrillers, war fiction, and action-adventure novels.

military accuracy reviewtactics and operations consultationweapons and equipment verificationveteran character authenticity
ThrillerAdventureHistorical FictionCommercial FictionScience Fiction
subject_matter_expert

Katherine Ramsland

Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Forensic psychology professor at DeSales University and prolific author of over 60 books on forensic science, criminal minds, and true crime. She consults widely on forensic accuracy for fiction and nonfiction writers, with particular expertise in criminal profiling and crime scene analysis. A frequent media commentator and established expert witness.

forensic accuracy reviewcriminal psychology consultationcrime scene authenticity checkauthor Q&A
True CrimeCrime FictionThrillerMysteryHorror+1 more
subject_matter_expertReedsy

Lucie Whitehouse

London, United Kingdom· Remote OK
Rate: Varies

Experienced fiction author and manuscript consultant who offers subject-matter consultation on psychiatry and mental health portrayals in fiction, drawing on deep research partnerships with clinicians. She is listed on Reedsy and works with literary and commercial fiction authors to ensure authentic, non-stigmatizing depictions of mental illness, therapy, and psychiatric settings.

mental health portrayal reviewsensitivity and accuracy consultationcharacter psychology reviewdevelopmental editorial input
Literary FictionPsychological ThrillerContemporary FictionWomen's FictionMystery

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