Member
MFA, New Mexico State University
Developmental editing
A developmental edit is what stands between the draft you have and the best version of your book.
"He asked the questions that made every chapter answer for itself, pushed me to say things my way when I was reaching for someone else's, and told me the truth even when it meant more work for both of us. If you're a first-time author wondering if he's worth it: he's the reason mine became a real book."
Sohrab Ansari, author of Passenger
It's the difference between a rough manuscript with good bones and a potential bestseller.
In 1957 Harper Lee handed her editor a manuscript called Go Set a Watchman. Tay Hohoff told her the real story was in the flashbacks, in the child and her father. Lee revised, and what came out was To Kill a Mockingbird.
Maxwell Perkins did the same kind of work at Scribner's. He pushed Fitzgerald through draft after draft until Gatsby himself came into focus, and he cut Thomas Wolfe's sprawling first manuscript into Look Homeward, Angel.
Very few manuscripts become books without first undergoing substantial editing and revision.
For some reason, new writers dread approaching an editor. Yet, time and time again, I have heard from clients saying it was the most rewarding part of the journey to publication.
1. Try the free sample edit, and you'll know within two business days whether it's a fit.
2. We agree on terms, and I'll sign an NDA if you'd like one.
3. I do a substantive review through the full manuscript, leaving in-text comments and suggestions, then write the editorial letter: usually 8 to 12 pages on structure, pacing, voice, and what the book wants to become. You also get a detailed revision map, which turns the letter into a sequence you can choose how to implement. Afterward, if you'd like, we meet for a 45-minute call to work through everything and develop a clear plan.
4. You revise and turn the book into what it always wanted to be.
| Manuscript assessment | Developmental edit | |
|---|---|---|
| Question | What's working, and what should I do next? | How do I fix everything, chapter by chapter? |
| Readiness | Early drafts, first completed drafts, or writers unsure whether the project is viable. | Best on a complete draft you've already revised at least once. |
| What you get | A substantial editorial letter, usually 8 to 12 pages that addresses structure, character, pacing, point of view, and market fit. You also get a revision map and a 45-minute call if you'd like. | The editorial letter plus extensive margin comments throughout the manuscript, chapter-level notes, and restructuring maps or scene lists where the book needs them. We'll also meet or have a call, plus a second review when it helps. |
| Best fit | Writers who revise well on their own and need direction. Also useful before committing to a bigger edit. | Writers who want granular feedback, or manuscripts with structural challenges. |
What if the draft is a mess? Then you're in the right place.
Do you work in my genre? I have worked with writers across literary fiction, memoir, poetry, self-development, and business and founder books.
My draft was written with AI. It used to be that writers were confounded by messy drafts. Now the most common challenge is how to deal with artificially-shaped writing. Learn more about voice restoration.
Try a manuscript assessment. The assessment gives your manuscript a thorough analysis and a step-by-step path to implement any recommended changes.
Member
MFA, New Mexico State University