Developmental Editing
Get detailed feedback on your writing from a leading editor
Get your full manuscript professionally edited
Get a detailed report and in-text comments on your full manuscript
A Developmental Edit gives you the detailed, structural report that a manuscript assessment offers, as well as in-text comments throughout your manuscript offering in-depth feedback on your work, and a sixty-minute conversation with your editor to discuss your queries and next steps.
Our Developmental Editing service aims for the same level of rigor you would get from a Big-Five publishing house. It should stand you in good stead if you are about to submit your work to agents or self-publish.
Have questions? Then contact us. We’re here to help.
Apply to get a Developmental Edit
Submit your work to find out if it’s ready for a Developmental Edit and receive a bespoke quote.
Price: US $958.00 – US $2,875.00 Calculated by word count and work needed. Option to pay in two instalments.
Have questions? Then contact us.
What does a Developmental Edit include?
A top editor will read your full manuscript.
They’ll record their thoughts in an editorial report of at least 3,500 words.
They’ll also record their comments throughout the manuscript in track-changes, including feedback and suggestions where things crop up.
You’ll get the opportunity to speak to your editor for up to sixty-minutes, discussing your next steps and opportunities.
Your editor will read your entire manuscript and provide a written report of at least 3,500 words, addressing various aspects of your novel, including plot, placing, characterisation, structure, style, pace, voice, presentation, and marketability. The editor will also point out any major problems with spelling, syntax, and flow. This report will offer you clear advice on how to improve your work-in-progress.
The great thing about a Developmental Edit, is that you also get these comments within the manuscript itself through tracked changes, offering feedback, changes, and questions, and expanding on the suggestions made in the editorial report. The editor will leave detailed feedback on nearly every page of your manuscript, providing specific examples of points made in the editorial letter.
After receiving your edit, you will also have the chance to chat with your editor in a one-time call lasting up to sixty minutes. Perfect for going over any questions you may have, as well as discussing your next steps.
Developmental Editing isn’t a copy-editing or proofreading service. If you need a copy-edit or proofread, this is something we can help you with, but only after your structural reworking is done.
What’s the difference between a Manuscript Assessment and a Developmental Edit?
A Manuscript Assessment is a detailed report of more than 3,500 words identifying key problems in your manuscript, and offering you advice on how to fix them.
A Developmental Edit will provide you with the same detailed report, alongside a copy of your manuscript with in-text comments and annotations, suggesting changes and offering advice on plot problems, sentence structure, pace and style, as well as pointing out major issues with syntax and spelling. Any major points made in your editorial report will be brought to your attention directly in the text, saving you having to hunt them out yourself.
Should I get a Developmental Edit?
A Developmental Edit is the most in-depth form of structural editing, similar to what you would receive from an in-house editor at a publishing house. This is the best option for writers serious about getting their manuscript to its best shape.
You don’t need to buy an editorial service to traditionally publish. However, we do find that you tend to learn more about writing from professional feedback than you do anything else. If you have a finished manuscript you’re looking to improve before submitting to agents, or self-publish – this could be the service for you.
Testimonials
Have questions?
Is a Developmental Edit right for me?
We recommend a Developmental edit if you have a finished manuscript that needs editing. This service is particularly popular in the United States, but we offer this to writers all over the world.
This service is right for you if you need a rounded, structural edit of your full manuscript, with the added boost of in-text annotations.
Who will carry out the work?
Our editors have years of industry experience and a great sense of what a novel or work of creative non-fiction needs to succeed. We hand-match our writers to their ideal editor and offer you peace-of-mind, knowing that we fully-vet every editor we work with and only work with the best in the business. Please note that we do not handle corporate work.
How long will it take?
We aim to turn around most manuscripts within six weeks. Longer or more specialist assignments may take longer. We’ll let you know a more precise estimate as soon as we’ve had a chance to assess your needs.
Guarantee
We’re confident that we’re the best at we what we do. That’s why we offer a guarantee for all editorial work we undertake. We promise:
- To give you a properly in-depth report. That means a minimum of 3,500 words for manuscripts of 60,000 words or more.
- To give you a copy of your manuscript with tracked changes and comments regarding structure, plot, pace, and comments related to points made in the report.
- To use an expert editor with authority in your genre.
- To consider the market for your manuscript.
- To be honest and constructive.
- To respect your copyright.
- To pitch your work to agents on your behalf if, in our view, it is strong enough to be marketed.
- To respond honestly and in good faith in case of problems.
- To advise you honestly, always.
We’ve had thousands of satisfied customers – and helped countless writers like you get agented and published. Join them!
Not sure what editorial service is right for you?
Take a look at this blog about the different type of editing, or contact our customer service team for more information – we’re here to help.
Build a strong underlying story structure