Developmental & Line Editing for Fiction Manuscripts

Tristan Hayes

Contact for pricing

About this service

Summary

With experience across genres and a deep understanding of story craft, I help writers elevate their manuscripts with thoughtful developmental or line edits tailored to their goals and preserving their unique voice. Whether you need big-picture guidance or detailed prose refinement, I offer flexible, customized support based on your project's needs.

Process

Initial Consultation - An email or call to clarify project goals and determine the appropriate editing approach (developmental vs. line).
Manuscript Review - I read the full manuscript to assess structure, pacing, character arcs, and prose.
In-Depth Edit - I provide edits with tracked changes and margin comments for revision suggestions.
Editorial Letter - I deliver a detailed overview of story strengths and areas to improve.
Delivery - You receive all files in a clean, organized format, ready for revision.
Follow-Up - I answer any follow-up questions to clarify notes or guidance.

What's included

  • Edited Manuscript (Tracked Changes)

    A Word document with in-line edits and suggestions using tracked changes. Covers grammar, clarity, style, and structure.

  • Editorial Letter

    A summary document outlining key strengths, major issues, and actionable revision guidance.

  • Character and Plot Feedback Report

    Focused notes on narrative structure, character arcs, pacing, and setting/world-building.

  • Follow-Up Q&A (1 Round)

    One post-delivery email to clarify edits or offer additional insight.

  • Query Letter or Blurb Review (Optional Bonus)

    Light edit of query letter, pitch, or book blurb for clarity, tone, and impact.

Skills and tools

Ghostwriter

Writer

Author

Google Docs

Google Docs

Grammarly

Grammarly

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

Scrivener

Industries

Publishing

More services

Academic Proofreading

Contact for pricing