Developmental Editing
Starting at
$
150
About this service
Summary
FAQs
Why should I have my manuscript developmentally edited?
Every writing project benefits from developmental editing, but it is especially important for fiction. Traditionally published books usually go through several rounds of developmental editing as they go through the publishing process, but even if you intend to go down this path, developmental editing might be worth it for you before you start querying, particularly if you can’t quite crack your story and can’t figure out why. If you’re aiming to self-publish, then developmental editing is indispensable.
How much does a developmental edit cost?
A developmental edit will cost you $0.015 USD (1.5 cents) per word, or a base fee of $150 USD if it’s under 10,000 words. For manuscripts over 10,000 words, a $150 USD non-refundable deposit will be charged upon receipt, and the rest upon completion. I will answer any questions and clarify any doubts within reason via email for no extra fee; if you need more hands-on help, I might instead suggest a second round of developmental editing.
What is the difference between developmental editing and beta reading/copyediting?
Developmental editing is a lot more in-depth than beta reading, and it is not the same as line/copyediting or proofreading. While a developmental editor may note line-level errors (such as typos, grammar, and formatting issues) in your manuscript if they happen often, they will usually note them only once, let you know how to correct them, and then let you make those corrections yourself.
Is my manuscript finished after developmental editing?
No. Developmental editing is usually an early step in the publishing journey, and leads to revisions and further drafts. Revisions after a developmental edit are usually heavy, both at the structural and line level. As an author, you must be prepared to do a lot of hard work to get your manuscript ready for the next developmental round, or the next tye of editing. It is a lot of work and can get very emotional. After all, they call it “killing your darlings” for a reason. But can also be incredibly gratifying and elevate your original idea to its full potential
Do I need to have my manuscript beta read or line edited before booking a developmental edit?
It is not necessary for your manuscript to have been alpha/beta read or edited before you submit it for a dev edit, but if it’s difficult to read or understand, I might suggest that you clean it up or have it alpha/beta read by someone else before embarking on a developmental edit. I can refer you to another freelance editor if needed.
What's included
Developmental Editing Report
You send me your manuscript as a MS Word doc, and I read through it with a critical eye, making notes on the file as I go. Once I’ve read it, I will write a feedback report (in PDF format, usually between 10-25 pages) detailing issues with your work’s readability, structure, main concept/hook, worldbuilding, overall plot and subplots, characters, dialogue, and other important aspects of your narrative. The report will include a chapter-by-chapter breakdown and suggestions for how to correct each of the issues raised. It will also make recommendations on whether further work is needed on your manuscript, be it in terms of further editing or science review.
Manuscript Comments
I will also send back your manuscript with my comments, which will include only minimal suggestions (teaching examples that you can then apply throughout the rest of the document on your own time) and do not involve direct editing at the line level.
