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DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

$85.00

Big-picture editorial support for writers who need help shaping the manuscript, not just polishing the sentences. Developmental editing looks at the foundation of the work. This is the stage where we examine the manuscript’s structure, ideas, organization, pacing, themes, character arcs, plot movement, chapter order, chapter titles, headings, artwork, consistency, style choices, and any gaps that may be keeping the project from becoming as strong as it can be.

This is a collaborative process between writer and editor. I am not simply correcting the manuscript from a distance. I am helping you understand what the work is trying to do, where it is already succeeding, and where it may need deeper revision. Developmental editing is especially useful when the manuscript has strong material but still feels unfinished, uneven, scattered, underdeveloped, or not quite aligned with the writer’s larger vision. The goal is to strengthen the project as a whole before moving into line editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

This service does not include spelling, grammar, punctuation, or sentence-level cleanup. Those stages come later. Developmental editing is billed by the hour. Purchasing this service reserves the first hour of editing and includes a 15-minute consultation to discuss the scope of the project, your goals, and what kind of support your manuscript needs.

Big-picture editorial support for writers who need help shaping the manuscript, not just polishing the sentences. Developmental editing looks at the foundation of the work. This is the stage where we examine the manuscript’s structure, ideas, organization, pacing, themes, character arcs, plot movement, chapter order, chapter titles, headings, artwork, consistency, style choices, and any gaps that may be keeping the project from becoming as strong as it can be.

This is a collaborative process between writer and editor. I am not simply correcting the manuscript from a distance. I am helping you understand what the work is trying to do, where it is already succeeding, and where it may need deeper revision. Developmental editing is especially useful when the manuscript has strong material but still feels unfinished, uneven, scattered, underdeveloped, or not quite aligned with the writer’s larger vision. The goal is to strengthen the project as a whole before moving into line editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

This service does not include spelling, grammar, punctuation, or sentence-level cleanup. Those stages come later. Developmental editing is billed by the hour. Purchasing this service reserves the first hour of editing and includes a 15-minute consultation to discuss the scope of the project, your goals, and what kind of support your manuscript needs.

How It Works

After you reserve your first hour of developmental editing, I will reach out to schedule a 15-minute consultation. During that conversation, we will discuss your manuscript, where you are in the writing process, what concerns you have, and what kind of editorial support will be most useful.

I may ask to review a sample, outline, table of contents, proposal, or portion of the manuscript before we determine the full scope. Developmental editing can look very different depending on the project. A novel may need attention to plot, pacing, character motivation, and scene structure. A memoir may need support with framing, chronology, emotional arc, and what belongs on the page. A nonfiction project may need help with argument, organization, chapter progression, headings, examples, and reader experience. A poetry or hybrid manuscript may need attention to sequence, cohesion, formal choices, recurring images, and the movement of the collection.

Once we clarify the scope, I will begin with the reserved first hour. If the project requires additional time, I will let you know and invoice accordingly. Payment plans are available for larger projects.

What Developmental Editing Includes

Developmental editing may address big-picture concerns such as structure, pacing, organization, chapter order, scene order, character development, plot points, themes, voice consistency, style choices, missing context, weak sections, repetition, unclear stakes, underdeveloped ideas, confusing transitions, and gaps in the manuscript. It may also include comments, notes, editorial suggestions, questions for revision, structural recommendations, and guidance on what to prioritize next. This kind of editing helps you understand the manuscript from the reader’s perspective while still honoring what you are trying to build.

Important Note

Developmental editing is not copy editing, line editing, or proofreading. It does not focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, or tiny mechanical errors. This is big-picture editorial work. If your manuscript needs sentence-level polish, copy editing, or final proofreading, those services should happen after the developmental stage is complete.