Full Developmental Edit

A comprehensive, big-picture edit designed to strengthen your story’s foundation. Together, we’ll identify what’s working, uncover opportunities for growth, and create a clear roadmap for revision.

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  • A Full Developmental Edit is a deep analysis of your manuscript’s structure, character arcs, pacing, tension, and emotional impact.

    Rather than focusing on grammar or sentence-level edits, this service examines the story as a whole, helping you refine the elements that keep readers turning pages.

    You’ll receive both an extensive editorial letter and in-manuscript comments highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

  • This service is ideal for authors who:

    • Have completed a full manuscript draft

    • Want professional feedback before querying or self-publishing

    • Feel something isn’t working but can’t identify why

    • Need guidance on structure, pacing, character development, or stakes

    • Are preparing for later-stage editing

    • Story structure and plot progression

    • Character arcs and motivations

    • Pacing and tension

    • Emotional impact and reader engagement

    • Scene effectiveness

    • Theme integration

    • Conflict and stakes

    • Narrative consistency

    • Market positioning and genre expectations

    • Detailed editorial letter (8-15+ pages)

    • In-manuscript comments throughout

    • Strengths and opportunities analysis

    • Revision recommendations and priorities

    • Clear next steps for future drafts

    • Follow-up support via email for clarification questions

  • Custom quoted based on manuscript length.

    Current rate: $0.035 per word

    Typical projects range from approximately:

    • 50,000 words —> $1,750

    • 75,000 words —> $2,625

    • 100,000 words —> $3,500

    Payment plans available.

  • What is developmental editing?

    Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture elements of a story, including structure, pacing, character arcs, tension, stakes, and overall reader experience. It does not focus on grammar or proofreading.

    What’s the difference between a full developmental edit and a manuscript evaluation?

    A developmental edit includes both an editorial letter and in-manuscript comments throughout the manuscript. A manuscript evaluation provides big-picture feedback through an editorial letter without detailed comments inside the manuscript itself.

    Do I need a finished manuscript before booking?

    For full developmental edits and manuscript evaluations, yes. For services like Story Diagnostics, Outline Evaluations, Chapter Critiques, and Targeted Developmental Feedback, works-in-progress are welcome.

    What genres do you work with?

    I work with a variety of genres, including romance, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, young adult, and select nonfiction projects.

    How long does the editing process take?

    Turnaround times vary based on manuscript length and my current schedule. Most developmental editing projects are completed within 3–6 weeks.

    Do you offer payment plans?

    Yes. Flexible payment plans are available for larger projects. We'll discuss options during the booking process.

    Can I ask follow-up questions after receiving my edit?

    Absolutely. I want you to feel confident moving forward with revisions, so you're welcome to reach out with clarification questions after receiving your feedback.