Developmental Editing
This page will provide you with everything you need to know about the developmental editing service.
WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT?
A developmental edit, also called a structural or substantive edit, is a service that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript and provides feedback from an objective point of view, along with a 1-hour follow-up meeting to discuss the feedback with the writer to clarify any questions or next steps.
The goal is to ensure the writing is engaging and effectively communicates its message. The edit will consider all aspects of the manuscript, its place in its category, and its market potential.
Developmental editing can be especially helpful for newer authors or those working on a difficult manuscript.
A developmental edit's basic ingredients are what is working, what is not working, and what the author can do to improve the work. Within this structure, elements such as narrative arc, pace, voice, characters, plot, and dialogue will be considered and critiqued.
WHO IS THE DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SERVICE FOR?
Pretty much all writers would benefit from, at least, one developmental edit!
WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DO YOU NEED?
I will need to know the book’s word count, category or genre, and its intended audience. It’s also useful to know the author’s goals for the book: for instance, are you aiming to get traditionally published or self-published?
Please tell me about your areas of concern, questions you want me to answer, and send me any relevant additional documents, such as your synopsis and pitch letter.
CAN WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP SESSION, OUTSIDE OF THE ONE INCLUDED?
If desired, we can have another follow-up call to discuss any outstanding questions. My mini consultation service is available for clients who want further advice and encouragement while they are rewriting and editing the manuscript.
HOW MUCH DOES A DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT COST?
$350 for manuscripts up to 50,000 words.
For manuscripts between 50,000 words and 100,000 words: $350 for the first 50,000 words, then $6 per 1,000 words thereafter.
If your manuscript is longer than 100,000 words, please contact me for a quote.
A 50% non-refundable deposit will be required in order to secure your booking. The remainder will be due on delivery of the edited manuscript.
You can see all my Terms and Conditions here.
HOW LONG WILL THE DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT TAKE?
1-3 Months. I will confirm the date on which I aim to deliver the report once I receive the deposit, manuscript, and any additional material.
I need this length of time to turn around the edit in order to fit the edit around my other work, as well as to allow time for me to read through and digest the manuscript.
DO YOU OFFER A PARTIAL MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT?
Yes. If you want to know if a draft is working so far and is worth continuing with, you can send me up to 30,000 words, as well as an outline of the remaining chapters. A partial manuscript evaluation costs $250 and will take 2 weeks to a month to turn around.
HOW TO BOOK THE DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SERVICE.
There are two ways:
You can fill out the Contact Form and select Developmental Edit. Or you can email me and put ‘Developmental Edit Booking’ in the subject line.
Either way, please tell me a bit about the book, including its category, word count, and what leads you to request an edit.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
You’re welcome to fill out the Contact Form with any further questions.