Developmental Editing
What is developmental editing?
Developmental edits don't focus on cleaning up grammar or sentence structure like copyedits do. Instead, a developmental editor takes a look at the story itself, doing a thorough check for consistency, flow, tone, author voice, and intent.
A skilled developmental editor keeps in mind what an author is looking to achieve with his/her/their piece, the intended audience, and much more. Developmental editors check to make sure subplots are necessary and complementary to the main plot, that loose ends are tied up by the story's end, and that an author is getting across exactly what he/she/they intended. If you envisioned your main character to be read as charismatic and influential, but she instead reads as a little creepy or powerless among the side characters, a good developmental editor will help point out these problematic areas and help work with you on solutions and suggestions on how to get that character exactly as you envisioned them on your page and to readers.
What a developmental editor doesn't do is force changes on your story. I have a keen, trained eye for effective story mechanics, and will deliver my thoughts and suggested changes to you, but in the end, your work belongs to you and it is your ultimate verdict on whether to pursue my given suggestions, keep the manuscript how it was, or even go in a different direction with changes entirely.
If an editor is doing effective work, however, you may find yourself surprised by what you and even beta readers may have missed along the way!
Some questions to keep in mind when considering working with a developmental editor:
What do I want to say with this story?
Who are/will be my readers? Do they have expectations for my genre, past work, or from the tone and promises I’ve established in chapter one?
What extent of hands on editing do I want? (Every author is different. You may find you just want problematic areas brought to attention, or you may favor a more direct approach of heavy suggestion from your editor!)
Who are my characters, and how do I want them to come across to readers? Is my main character heroic, broken, immoral, selfless, egotistical, struggling but trying to do better? The same goes for any villains, cultures, factions, companies, etc in the story. Even the setting itself can be a character in a way!
What tone, feel, or message do I want to establish with the plot itself? And even more to the point, what am I looking to accomplish with my readers? Do I aim to dazzle, impress, and entertain? Or to subvert expectations and haunt my readers with a new perspective that challenges their way of thinking?
Why did I write this story?
How I will work with you:
As your developmental editor, it is ideal that I take a look at your manuscript before it's sent off for copyedits. This saves you time and money, as changes to plot, scenes, and overarching story structure will often require newly written and added passages that will require their own copyedits for clean grammar.
Here is how the process of working with me goes:
Reach out to me via the form on my “contact me” page. Put in as much relevant information as you can think of! Make sure to share an accurate word count, as I charge per word, so having the correct word count will ensure we both proceed with a clear budget to work with.
I will reach out to you via the method you prefer (email or Zoom) and we can discuss your project and what you’re looking for in greater detail. We can also discuss our schedules, and I can give you a concrete deadline on when you can expect your finished, edited manuscript and letter returned by.
If desired, I’ll give you a sample edit of up to 4 pages so you can decide if my style is a good fit for your project.
If you decide to utilize my services, I’ll send you a copy of my contract that MUST be signed digitally via DocuSign and returned to me. The contract helps keep things fair for both of us.
I’ll dedicate my full time and concentration to your manuscript and make notes, changes, and suggestions as I read. When I finish, I’ll also provide you with a detailed letter with my conclusive thoughts on your story, on what needs the most revising, as well as your strengths and where the story really shines.
Please note I require half of the amount agreed upon for this edit up front as a down payment once you agree to use my services and sign the contract.
You are welcome to speak with me more on my editing choices and ask any questions about my suggestions or commentary! I love working with authors and want you to be fully satisfied with my contributions to your story. If you require some additional workshopping and deeper discussion, I also offer consultations.
Any further questions on how this works?
I encourage you to reach out to me. I can be contacted here with any inquiries.
