A developmental edit is sometimes called a content edit, structural edit, or story edit.
What is a developmental edit?
A developmental edit is an all-in-one edit that takes in all aspects of your manuscript. It includes a deep dive into your story’s structure and content, and annotations on a paragraph and sentence level. A developmental edit aims to help you produce your final draft.
I will read your manuscript three times and return a 20-25 page revision letter, and up to 200 annotations in your manuscript. Both the revision letter and annotations will focus on how to elevate your story, while preserving your voice and protecting the soul of your work.
My revision letter is designed to help you revise with confidence and clarity. It focuses on what is already working well, and what can be improved, and asks the big questions, like:
- Does your protagonist have a well-defined and compelling goal, motivation and conflict?
- Does your protagonist’s arc unfold and resolve in a satisfactory way?
- Is your plot engaging and relatively plot-hole free?
- Does your pacing and tension keep your readers on the edge of their seat throughout the manuscript?
- Does your setting and world-building feel natural and immersive without intruding on the plot?
Your answers will include examples and clear, actionable suggestions for how and where to improve your manuscript.
My annotations will focus on the same questions, but on a sentence and paragraph level. I will go through your manuscript word by word and use Microsoft Word’s comment function to highlight your strengths and potential for improvement, and show you where and how to implement suggestions made in the report. It will also keep track of your pacing and tension, making sure both are as high as they possibly can be.
When should I get a developmental edit?
Developmental editing is most helpful once you’ve completed a full draft and revised it at least once. You should feel fairly confident in your story, but not so close to it that you’re not ready for comprehensive feedback yet. There is no need to worry about grammar or typos, a developmental edit focuses on how your plot unfolds and characters develop.
What will my feedback look like?
A 20-25 page report that covers your manuscript’s overall strengths, weaknesses, and potential. My reports include a comprehensive review of your plot, causality, character development, narration, setting, genre expectations and pacing.
AND
Up to 200 annotations in your manuscript. They use Word’s comment-function, with highlights and notes in the margins. I will make plenty of detailed suggestions in the margins, but I won’t make any changes to your manuscript. I will never rewrite your words, and I don’t ghost-edit.
Looking for less? Try a manuscript assessment or coaching.