Developmental Editing Package

When we think of editing, we tend to think of sparkling prose and error-free sentences. But while polish is an important part of the process, the bulk of the work comes earlier, during the developmental editing phase.

Development is where rough drafts become whole stories. It's where writers take an honest, hard-nosed look at their work, determine what their stories still need, and learn to let go of what they don't. The process has two distinct stages: developmental evaluation/revision and line editing.

A developmental evaluation, sometimes called a manuscript review, is a big-picture evaluation of your story’s structure and the strength of your narrative as a whole. The editor’s job is to identify broad, structural issues and make any necessary recommendations for large-scale revision (changing your story’s timeline, cutting/adding scenes and chapters, etc.).

Line editing is a more detailed chapter-by-chapter edit that takes place after the evaluation/revision phase and focuses on improving writing and storytelling at the sentence and paragraph level. The editor typically addresses things like dialogue, description, voice, language use, and organization, ensuring each chapter is as compelling and enjoyable to read as the next.

While you can hire a developmental editor to perform either service separately, working through both stages with the same editor has tremendous benefits, which is why I offer my clients a discounted developmental editing package.

I believe the developmental editing process is a partnership and strive to build a trust-based relationship with my clients as we work together, through multiple rounds of edits and revisions, to create the very best version of their work. As a dedicated member of “team final draft,” I know their story, understand their vision, and become deeply invested in their success—a benefit that far exceeds the value of the discount.

My developmental editing package is designed to help writers transform their rough drafts into fully developed manuscripts in five steps:

• During the evaluation phase, I'll read your work and produce an in-depth manuscript review detailing your draft's strengths and weaknesses and evaluating structural story components, such as character development, plot, pacing, and theme.

• As a package bonus, you'll also receive detailed chapter notes, consisting of a summary and an editing brief for each chapter. Summaries outline chapter events and note key details, such as descriptions and timeline references, to ensure consistency throughout the manuscript. (They also prove useful for referencing during the revision process.) Editing briefs convey impressions and provide specific recommendations for addressing any structural or story-telling issues identified in the manuscript review.

• After you have received and read your manuscript review and chapter notes, we'll schedule a sixty-minute follow-up "coffee date" to discuss the recommended revisions and address your questions and concerns. Together, we'll develop a personalized editing plan, designed to ensure you know how to approach your revisions and in what order. We'll also work together to set up a revision schedule so I know when to expect your revised chapters for line edits.

• Once we've established a plan, first-round revisions begin. As your partner in the revision process, I'll remain reasonably available to discuss questions and concerns as they arise. Feeling stuck? Need to talk to someone who shares your passion and already knows your story as well as you do? I'm here for you!

• After you've successfully made the necessary structural revisions, I'll reread your chapters and prepare in-text line edits.

• When you receive your digital markup, you'll have the opportunity to review my in-text edits and notes (recorded via Microsoft's "review" and "track-changes" functions). Comments with suggested revisions will appear on the side bar, and any changes made directly to the text will be highlighted. (You're free to reject changes you don't agree with, which will restore your original text.)

• As before, I'll remain available via email to discuss any problems you may run into during revision. Feel free to reach out!

Request a Sample Developmental Edit

• As your editor, I'll strive to be there for you throughout the developmental editing process. I'll make every reasonable effort to respond to your emailed questions and concerns in a timely manner and during business hours. We can even schedule a quick call if need be. I'm happy to help, but I can't be "on-call" at a moment's notice. I have a family, other clients, and many other draws on my time. Please be reasonable and respectful.

• It's your book. I can't write it for you. First-round revisions often require substantial rewriting. I will do my best to guide you through the revision process, but rewrites are your responsibility.

• Regrettably, I am not an author/editor and a lawyer, and I cannot provide any legal answers or advice regarding copyrighted material or anything else.

• My developmental editing service includes two rounds of editing: a broad first-round developmental edit and a second-round line edit. This two-round model works for many clients, but occasionally, additional rounds are needed. Of course, I'm happy to read and edit as many drafts as my authors want, but I can't do it for free. While I've been known to make the occasional exception, I typically charge one cent per word (per chapter) to read and edit additional drafts.

• Developmental line editing is not the same as copyediting. A copyeditor seeks to eliminate errors and finalize your manuscript's language. A line editor makes editorial suggestions to help you improve your manuscript, resulting in revisions. While I will certainly correct any obvious mistakes I encounter while line editing, the language will change as you edit, and new errors may be added. Your revised manuscript will still need to be copyedited and proofread, especially if you plan to self-publish. (Ask about multiservice discounts.)

• My developmental editing service does not include the development of submission materials to help you market your finished novel. Should you need help writing a synopsis or query letter, please contact me to discuss pricing.

$0.05 Per Word (-10% Package Discount)

• A 25 percent deposit is due at the time of submission. 50 percent of the remaining balance is due upon completion of the evaluation phase. The remainder is due upon completion of line edits. Please note this full-service package includes both a developmental evaluation and a developmental line edit. Looking for a more affordable option? Consider kickstarting your self-editing journey with a manuscript review.

• Turnaround time for first-round edits will depend on the length of your submission and my current editing queue, but four to six weeks is a solid estimate for a novel-length manuscript. The completion rate/date of line edits will depend on the revision schedule we design in the follow-up phase. (Some clients prefer to turn their revisions in chapter by chapter, while others prefer to finish revising the entire draft before line editing begins.) A complete line edit of a novel-length draft typically takes about four to six weeks.

• Interested clients should submit an inquiry below. I will reach out soon after. If you have questions or would prefer to chat before submitting a formal inquiry, please feel free to contact me.

• All manuscripts must be submitted electronically as a Word document (.doc or .docx) via the provided submission form, which will be sent to you via email.

• All story submissions must adhere to professional manuscript formatting standards (Arial, Courier, or Times font; size 12 text; double-spacing throughout with one-inch margins). Please name your file in the following manner: Last Name-Your Story Title

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