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Developmental Editing

Developmental Editing is often the first stage of professional editing services that authors need to seek out. While some authors may choose to do an initial round of Beta Reading with friends and family, the developmental editor might be the first person that you share your early drafts with. 

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As the author, you have worked closely with your manuscript for an extended period of time. Sometimes there are inconsistencies that are missed in the writing process. During the Developmental Edit, I will help you identify the strength and weaknesses of your manuscript's overall structure. 

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Areas of analysis are dependent on genre, but can include:

  • Big Picture Feedback (Plot holes, story beats, narrative arc)

  • Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis 

  • Character Development 

  • Dialogue Assessment 

  • Setting and World Building 

  • Pacing 

Feedback will consist of an editorial note that details my overall analysis of each point and suggestions for improvement. You will also receive a copy of your manuscript with in-line comments via Word's Tracked Changes, so that you can pinpoint starting points for your next round of edits. Developmental Edit packages include a 30 minute video conference via Zoom to go over any questions you may have. Additional video conferences can be booked through the Book Coaching service. 

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After receiving your feedback, you will want to schedule a sufficient amount of time for reviewing your manuscript before moving on to the next stage of editing. If you wish to have a second round of Developmental Editing services after adding additional content or significantly altering existing content, I will work with you to tailor a package to meet your specific needs. 

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Developmental Editing does NOT include:

  • Copy Editing (Checking for grammatical and stylistic errors)

  • Line Editing (Checking for the flow of each sentence)

  • Ghost Writing (Rewriting substantial portions of the manuscript)

  • Typesetting/Formatting (Creating the visual layout of your manuscript)

  • Proofreading (Checking the final version of the manuscript before print)

I currently offer new clients one free Developmental Edit sample following the EFA's Guidelines for Editorial Testing. 

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