The developmental edit is intended as a comprehensive evaluation of your story’s framework and essential elements. This is the pass that considers the ten-thousand-foot view but also highlights the potential for small improvements. She will read your story–sometimes twice. She’ll look for issues in pacing, plot, characterization, and structure. A developmental editor isn’t a beta reader. She’s the person you turn to when you believe you’ve done literally everything within your power to make your story sing—or when you’re beating your head against a wall because you’re not sure what to do now. She’s there to offer notes and guidance, and to coach you to solutions.
This is intended as a first pass at a manuscript that has just been deemed “done.” When you’ve done all you can, pass it along for a thorough read-through and notes relating to the overall plot, pacing, characterization, and point of view. This is a story-intensive edit, and it could be said that dev editing is to story structure what line editing is to writing. This edit is a “big picture” edit and is not intended to replace a line edit or proofread, where polishing will be done.
This service may entail one or both of the following:
- Up to three hours of calls during the process
- A 2-5 page analysis of the manuscript as a whole, identifying issues and including suggestions and specific strategies for enhancement.
This service is perfect for those looking for an unconventional and creative fit. No one process fits every author.
Book an intro call here!
Rate:Â Starting at $.015/word ($750 for a 50k manuscript.)
In-line comments and suggestions are not currently offered, but can be requested as an add on for an additional fee.