Developmental Editing
You’ve carried your story for a while: months, maybe years. That’s hard work. Now might be the time to let someone share the load so you can cross the finish line with confidence and flair.
A Bear Hug for Your Book
A developmental edit is often described as a big-picture, high-level or wide-angle view of your book. It’s definitely those, but I also like to think of the developmental edit I offer as a bear hug for your book: I wrap myself around it, hold it close, discover where it’s strong and where more support is needed. Then I provide that support.
A WordServings Developmental Edit examines
- structure, organization and pacing
- plot or argument arcs
- character development and consistency
- subplots and themes
- openings and endings
- voice and tone
- clarity of ideas
- likelihood of reader engagement.
Benefits by genre
- Fiction. You receive insight on plot, pacing, characters, and whether your story meets genre expectations.
- Memoir. You see how effectively your life events have been shaped into a compelling and relatable narrative.
- Non-fiction. You learn how well your ideas are organized, how clear your argument is, and how to strengthen your authority.
What You’ll Receive
- Your manuscript, liberally festooned with in-manuscript comments. Using Track Changes, I write clear notes, lots of them, where issues appear AND where things are going particularly well.
- Extensive editorial letter detailing strengths, challenges and next steps, specific recommendations for revision priorities, a summary of next steps to guide your rewrite or polish.
- Follow up call. Time to ask questions and discuss revisions.
Investment
- Fiction – starting at $0.04 per word (50,000 words x $0.04 = $2000.00)
- Memoir – starting at $0.045 per word (50,000 words $0.045 = $2250.00)
- Nonfiction – starting at $0.05 per word (50,000 words $0.05 = $2500.00)
A clear agreement covers scope and fee before any work begins, and there are never any hidden costs.
Ready to begin?
If a Developmental Edit seems like more than you want to commit to right now, consider the leaner Manuscript Assessment.