What Is Developmental Editing?

A developmental edit helps shape a book in its early stages. It addresses big-picture issues such as:

  • overall structure
  • narrative arc
  • character development
  • point of view
  • style and voice
  • organization
  • length
  • consistency of tone

What Do I Get with a Developmental Edit?

  • A Word document with track changes and comments for suggestions or queries
  • An editorial letter outlining the major points to be addressed during revisions
  • A completed edit within 4-6 weeks, depending on word count

Who Is a Developmental Edit For?

  • Self-publishing authors who intend to compete with traditionally published books in the marketplace
  • New authors who want to submit their best work to agents and presses
  • Established authors who have written themselves into a corner and need help with revisions
  • Nonfiction authors who want to make sure their ideas are organized well and their tone is appropriate for the audience and material

What about the Cost?

  • I provide a free sample of about 5 pages so you can see if my editing style fits with your work.
  • I send a flat-rate estimate of both costs and time based on that sample.
  • I require a 50% deposit before I begin the copy edit, with the remaining 50% to be paid after I return the edited manuscript.
  • I provide a professional contract to protect both your work as author and mine as editor.

Request a Developmental Editing Estimate