01
Developmental
Editing
Step One: Big Picture
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Developmental editing aims to help the author identify and solve big-picture storytelling issues. This stage does not focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure.
My role is to read your manuscript analytically, to ensure that your intent is fully realized—with creativity, clarity, and your distinct voice. At this stage, we will refine and strengthen its overall structure, plot, characters, pacing, and narrative flow.
We work together to achieve both your creative and publishing goals.
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Who needs a developmental editor?
If your goal is traditional publishing, developmental editing helps make your novel the best it can be before you start querying. Publishers won’t usually pay for this type of editing because they have an abundance of manuscripts to choose from and will usually pick ones that are already well-developed. Development editing can make you a stronger candidate for agents and publishers because it will take less effort and time on their end to get your manuscript publish-ready.
If your goal is self-publishing, this will assist you in achieving the best possible version of your manuscript.
It is also possible to work together while you are still writing your novel, deconstructing and building the story as you go.
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Deliverables
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An editorial letter/report:
This is where the editor’s assessment is summarized. It discusses how the author effectively handled storytelling elements and suggests how they might improve certain elements.
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Inline comments:
These notes and edits in the manuscript show specifically where and how storytelling elements and techniques can be strengthened. Where the letter will give an overview of suggestions, the inline comments will provide specific examples of where techniques can be strengthened.
Examples will be provided in some sections to demonstrate how the author might apply the suggestions made.
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Email communications are also included. This gives the author the time to review changes, discuss feedback, and ask any questions they may have about the final product.
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Rates
Rates vary depending on the type of editing service needed, as well as the content and condition of the manuscript.
My rate for developmental editing starts at:
- Cost per word: $0.01
Contact me to request a personal quote!
For your reference: Industry standards for editing fiction.
Quotes are in USD.
A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking.
Payment plans are available.
01
Developmental
Editing
Step One: Big Picture
Developmental editing aims to help the author identify and solve big-picture storytelling issues. This stage does not focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure.
My role is to read your manuscript analytically, to ensure that your intent is fully realized—with creativity, clarity, and your distinct voice. At this stage, we will refine and strengthen its overall structure, plot, characters, pacing, and narrative flow.
We work together to achieve both your creative and publishing goals.
Who needs a developmental editor?
If your goal is traditional publishing, developmental editing helps make your novel the best it can be before you start querying. Publishers won’t usually pay for this type of editing because they have an abundance of manuscripts to choose from and will usually pick ones that are already well-developed. Development editing can make you a stronger candidate for agents and publishers because it will take less effort and time on their end to get your manuscript publish-ready.
If your goal is self-publishing, this will assist you in achieving the best possible version of your manuscript.
It is also possible to work together while you are still writing your novel, deconstructing and building the story as you go.
Deliverables
Feedback is presented in two forms:
An editorial letter/report:
This is where the editor’s assessment is summarized. It discusses how the author effectively handled storytelling elements and suggests how they might improve certain elements.Inline comments
These notes and edits in the manuscript show specifically where and how storytelling elements and techniques can be strengthened. Where the letter will give an overview of suggestions, the inline comments will provide specific examples of where techniques can be strengthened.
Examples will be provided in some sections to demonstrate how the author might apply the suggestions made.
Email communications are also included. This gives the author the time to review changes, discuss feedback, and ask any questions they may have about the final product.
Rates
Rates vary depending on the type of editing service needed, as well as the content and condition of the manuscript.
My rate for development editing starts at:
Cost per word: $0.01
Contact me to request a personal quote!
For your reference: Industry standards for editing fiction.
Quotes are in USD.
A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking.
Payment plans are available.
The Editorial Process.
Whether you're looking for developmental editing to shape the foundation of your story, stylistic/line editing to refine your prose, or copyediting for technical accuracy, I’m here to help.
Below, you can find a quick overview of the editing services I offer. For a full breakdown of the service and pricing, check out the individual page fore each.
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Developmental editing, sometimes called substantive editing, is the first step after finishing your draft.
At this stage, I focus on the big-picture elements of your story, helping you refine and strengthen its overall structure, plot, characters, pacing, and narrative flow.
You receive:An editorial letter outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript’s use of storytelling elements.
Notes throughout the manuscript to point out examples of the details outlined in the editorial letter.
Optional call to go over changes or email communication to discuss feedback.
See a full breakdown of the process and pricing → here.
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Stylistic or line editing focuses on refining the prose and language of your manuscript.
This stage of editing reviews your manuscript at the sentence level and considers word choice, syntax, and overall writing style.You receive:
An editorial letter outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your writing.
Comments and editing directly in the manuscript.
A style sheet.
Optional call to go over changes or email communication to discuss feedback.
See a full breakdown of the process and pricing → here.
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This phase of editing focuses on the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and style.
You receive:
In-line corrections/tracked changes.
A style sheet outlining consistencies.
Optional call to go over changes or email communication to discuss feedback.
See a full breakdown of the process and pricing → here.
