You’ve finished your draft! But does your story work? It’s time to find out with developmental editing.
With developmental editing, we will dig into your manuscript and provide you with detailed feedback on what is working, what isn’t, and suggestions about what to do next.
Randy and Laura were fast, efficient, and gave me useful feedback. They were friendly, easy to work with, and when they showed me what didn’t work in the story, I didn’t feel like I was being berated for being a bad writer, nor did I feel like he was trying to show off that he knew more than I did about story writing – a problem I’ve consistently found with unprofessional’s giving me feedback on my writing. I left our last session excited to work on my story, not burdened with having so much to fix. The clear goal I have for my story is thanks to their help and I don’t know if I would have found it without them. I’m seriously thinking of using their developmental editing services to develop my writing even more.
K. Pimpinella, author of The Time Ranger series (Nexus Point and Burning Man)
Products and Pricing
We offer three options for developmental editing to ensure your investment matches your needs
Targeted Edit
$0.029/word
This service is ideal for:
- First-time novelists
- Authors with limited formal craft training
- Writers who know their manuscript needs work but aren’t sure where to begin
- Authors seeking professional feedback before investing in more extensive editing
- Writers looking for the highest-impact revision opportunities
This service may not be the best fit if:
- You are preparing the manuscript for immediate publication or querying
- You want a comprehensive analysis of every major storytelling element
- You need chapter-by-chapter or scene-level feedback throughout the manuscript
In those cases, a Strategic Developmental Edit or Intensive Developmental Edit may be a better fit.
Includes
The Targeted Developmental Edit focuses on the highest impact issues of your manuscript. Areas covered may include:
Story Foundation
- Premise strength
- Reader promise
- Genre expectations
- Theme and message
Character Development
- Protagonist motivation
- Character goals
- Internal conflict
- Character growth
Plot & Structure
- Story progression
- Escalation
- Cause and effect
- Stakes
- Climax and resolution
Worldbuilding & Setting
- Clarity
- Consistency
- Immersion
We do not attempt to address every issue in the manuscript. Instead, we focus on the handful of issues most likely to strengthen the story when revised.
Outcomes
By the end of the assessment, you will have:
- A clear understanding of the manuscript’s greatest strengths
- A clear understanding of the manuscript’s most significant weaknesses
- A prioritized revision plan
- Actionable recommendations for improvement
- Greater confidence in your next draft
Most importantly, you will know where to focus your efforts instead of attempting to revise everything at once.
Strategic Edit
$0.039/word
This service is ideal for:
- Authors who have completed a full draft and are preparing for serious revision
- Writers seeking a comprehensive analysis of their manuscript
- Authors who want to strengthen every major component of their story
This service may not be the best fit if:
- You are a first-time author trying to figure out whether your project is worth pursuing
- You are still drafting significant portions of the manuscript
- You are looking primarily for grammar correction or proofreading
- You want in-manuscript comments and chapter-by-chapter feedback
Authors seeking detailed manuscript annotations should consider the Intensive Developmental Edit.
Includes
The Strategic Developmental Edit examines the manuscript as a complete storytelling system.
Story Foundation
- Premise strength
- Reader promise
- Genre expectations
- Theme and message
- Story cohesion
Character Development
- Protagonist motivation and design
- Character goals
- Internal conflict
- Character arcs
- Supporting cast effectiveness
- Relationship dynamics
Worldbuilding and Setting
- Setting clarity
- Consistency
- Immersion
- Integration with plot and character
Plot & Structure
- Story progression
- Escalation
- Cause and effect
- Stakes
- Climax effectiveness
- Resolution
- Plot logic
Scene Construction
- Scene purpose
- Goal, conflict, and outcome
- Tension and momentum
- Scene sequencing
- Transitions
Pacing & Reader Engagement
- Narrative momentum
- Information management
- Tension
- Suspense
- Reader investment
Point of View & Narrative Voice
- POV management
- Narrative distance
- Character voice
- Emotional engagement
Craft & Execution
- Dialogue effectiveness
- Description
- Paragraphing
- Prose clarity
- Narrative focus
Outcomes
By the end of the Strategic Developmental Edit, you will have:
- A comprehensive understanding of your manuscript’s strengths
- A comprehensive understanding of its weaknesses
- A clear picture of how each storytelling element contributes to the reader experience
- Prioritized revision objectives
- A structured roadmap for revision
- Greater confidence in your next draft
Intensive Edit
$0.049/word
This Service is ideal for:
- Experienced authors preparing for publication, querying, or submission
- Writers who want detailed guidance throughout the manuscript
- Authors who learn best through examples and in-context feedback
Includes
Everything included in the Strategic Developmental Edit, plus:
- Annotated Manuscript
- Chapter-by-Chapter Feedback
- Scene-Level Recommendations
- Detailed Revision Guidance
Outcomes
A comprehensive editorial analysis combined with practical, manuscript-specific guidance showing where issues occur and how to address them during revision.
Two Developmental Editors for the Price of One
All of our services include the added value of two editors.
Thanks to our different backgrounds, genders, interests, and experiences, we bring very different things to the table. Teamwork allows our clients to reap the benefits of much more diverse input than can typically be achieved by a single editor.
Is Developmental Editing Right For Me?
For a quick comparison of our Developmental Editing Services, please take a look at our Editorial Services Guide and our Policies and Expectations Guide.
“Randy is a quiet professional. His imagination is limitless, but he constrains it with a rigorous writing and editing process that is a proven model for success. I set out to write a story that was layered and complex, but still with room for the reader to set off on their own journey. Without Randy guiding me each step of the way, it would have gone off the rails. Every single recommendation he gave was spot on and I couldn’t be more grateful for his honesty, integrity, and creativity.”
Not ready to commit?
To find out if our advice can help you write your best book, we offer a free discovery call for full-length manuscripts. Request yours today!