Developmental Editing

So, you are ready to publish your novel. You have just finished the final edits, and the story looks amazing. What is next? There are several avenues to pursue, and one is to send your work to a developmental editor, such as me.

A developmental editor focuses on the “big picture” of your manuscript - structure, plot, pacing, character development, and theme. Usually, it does not include grammar or spelling. A developmental editor’s job is to help you enhance your work to the point that you will be ready to query an agent or send it directly to the publisher.

Key Responsibilities of a Developmental Editor

  • Structural Analysis: Rearranging chapters, improving pacing, and fixing plot holes or inconsistencies.

  • Character/Content Development: Deepening character arcs, improving dialogue, and strengthening arguments in non-fiction.

  • Voice and Tone Consistency: Ensuring the writing style remains cohesive throughout the manuscript.

  • Guidance and Feedback: Providing comprehensive editorial letters and in-text comments rather than direct line-by-line rewrites

When to hire a developmental editor?

  • You have completed the first draft and need help revising

  • You are stuck on plotting pacing, characterization, anything broad

  • You received conflicting feedback from beta-readers and need help moving forward

What will the editor do?

If you are still unsure if you need to hire a developmental editor, here is an example of what the feedback will look like (and also, some things to consider for yourself).

STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION

  • Overall Structure: Does the manuscript have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Is the organizational structure effective for the content?

  • Chapter/Section Organization: Are chapters or sections logically ordered? Should any be moved, combined, or split? Are transitions between sections smooth?

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

  • Narrative: Is the narrative arc compelling? Does the story build effectively?

  • Target Audience: Who is the intended audience? Imagine a theater full of people. Is the writing appropriately pitched for this readership? Does it assume too much or too little knowledge?

  • Voice Consistency: Is the authorial voice clear and consistent throughout? Does it suit the subject matter and audience?

  • Tone and Register: Is the tone appropriate? Is it too formal? Too casual? Does it maintain reader engagement?

PACING & FLOW

  • Overall Pacing: Does the manuscript maintain momentum? Are there sections that drag or feel rushed? Where does pacing need adjustment?

  • Readability: Does the writing flow smoothly? Are sentences clear? Is paragraph length varied appropriately?

CHARACTER/SUBJECT DEVELOPMENT

  • Are characters fully realized and believable? Do they develop over the course of the narrative?

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Structural Changes: A list of specific structural changes (reordering, cuts, additions, consolidation).

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

  • What content needs expansion, deeper analysis, or additional research?

STYLE AND VOICE ADJUSTMENTS

  • What changes to voice, tone, or style would strengthen the manuscript?

Developmental Editing Pricing

  • 5% of the manuscript - FREE

  • Price per Word: $0.04

  • Short Project (e.g., 30k words): ~$320–$650

  • Standard Novel (e.g., 80k words): ~$2,000–$4,000

  • Long/Complex Project (e.g., 100k+ words): ~$2,500–$8,000

Key Pricing Factors

  • Manuscript Length: Longer books require more hours, increasing the cost.

  • Depth of Edit: Light developmental editing (identifying issues) is cheaper than heavy, hands-on rewriting, re-structuring, and coaching.

  • Project State: A manuscript that needs heavy restructuring costs more than one that needs only minor improvements.

Payment Options:

  • PayPal

  • Zelle

  • Swift

  • Crypto Currency (preference for USDT/USDC)

Additional Services

Proofreading / page
$3.00

Proofreading is the final quality check before the text gets published.

Proofreading includes:

  • Typos

  • Spelling mistakes

  • Punctuation Errors

  • Missing or extra words

  • Incorrect capitalization

  • Formatting

Does NOT include:

  • Improving clarity or flow

  • Consistency

  • Rewrites

Copyediting / page
$6.00

The copyediting stage focuses on making a text clear, correct, consistent, and ready for publication, without changing the author’s voice.

What copyediting includes:

  • Language and grammar

  • Consistency (style guides, US vs UK, etc.)

  • Clarity and readability

  • Fact checkinig

  • Tone and audience fit

Does NOT include:

  • Development edits

  • Rewrites

  • Proofreading only

Translation RU to ENG per page
$15.00

Services offered:

  • Technical translation (word-for-word, used for technical manuals, legal clauses, glossaries, etc.)

  • Literary translation (novels, short stories, children’s books).

  • Academic (articles, thesis, abstracts)

  • Marketing/ copy translation (websites, product description)