Developmental Editing is Beta-Reading On Steroids. It is a Professional Analysis of Your Manuscript.
A non-threatening way to get high-level collegial feedback on your work.
You get the independent insight you want and need, which is not available from your mom, friends, or “beta-readers” on Facebook.
Manuscript Assessment (Developmental Editing)
Developmental editing is an established form of editing. It is a one-on-one insight into the literary characteristics of a particular manuscript you want before writing your final draft.
Developmental editing is engaging a professional to assess your book before you finalize your manuscript and before investing in copy editing. You get the opportunity to get objective insight from a caring professional who is willing to discuss all aspects of your book with you.
This positive, helpful process enables you to get perspective on your manuscript. What you receive:
- A comprehensive analysis of your book structure and content (fiction or nonfiction).
- An analysis of the clarity of your writing. Clarity of communication is a secret to book success.
- A helpful evaluation of your writing style from an objective point of view.
- A positive critique of specific elements you can change to make your book more reader-friendly.
- A professional opinion about your book’s potential for commercial success, including some preliminary market research.
- I catch hidden issues, problems, and blunders before you pay for copy editing.
- No canned material or generic commentary. You get a personalized, objective appraisal of your book.
Professional feedback about your first draft will help you perfect your book. The goal is to help you create a book you will be proud to publish.
- I read the first draft of your manuscript carefully and prepare a 5-15 page report based on the issues I see. The length of my report depends on the word count of your book and the number of issues I discover.
- In addition, we’ll have an up to 30-minute telephone conversation or Zoom call to discuss the report, answer questions, or strategize about possible revisions for your final draft. Outside of the USA? We will use Zoom or email, not telephone.
Developmental Editing Fee
My fee for Developmental Editing is $395 for up to 55,000 words. Add $6 per thousand words beyond that. Word count is based on Microsoft Word statistics. All fees are payable in advance by credit card. See my refund policy here.
- Delivery time is based on my workload when I receive your book, but it is often 7-10 working days (M-F). I will meet the deadline we set together.
- A completed first draft is strongly preferred. You may send a work-in-progress if it is well along, but your fee pays for a one-time evaluation, not an ongoing evaluation of your work-in-progress. Please see my mentoring program if you seek ongoing help with a work-in-progress. Copy (line) editing is not included.
Contact me and tell me briefly about yourself, your book, and your Developmental Editing needs. I’ll respond promptly.
Note: These ala cart services cannot be transferred to the Book Shepherding Service at a later time.
