A developmental edit analyzes what makes your story work, highlighting strengths and opportunities for improvement. It’s to hone your narrative into its most compelling form for readers in a way that matches your vision and goals. It can be hard to get honest but useful feedback out there, especially if your book isn’t the type of thing your available readers would usually read.
From give up to unstuck
I’ve helped more than thirty writers with their manuscripts, often with a focus on constructive and encouraging feedback for emerging authors. I’ll be honest about what works and what doesn’t yet – and I’m an educator, not a meanie. Editing should get you unstuck, not make you want to give up.
Would your story benefit from developmental editing?
A developmental edit is for you if …
- You have a finished manuscript and know you’ve got a great story that has to be told, and you’re eager to make it as good as you possibly can.
- You’ve rewritten and self-edited several times, but you feel like you’re going round in circles, unsure of how to progress.
- You’ve had feedback from beta readers or critique partners and have integrated some of their suggestions into your work.
But not a good fit if …
- You’re looking for a quick, surface-level fix. Developmental editing doesn’t address spelling, punctuation and grammar like proofreading.
- You want reassurance, not more work. If you’re not open to constructive feedback or suggestions, a developmental edit won’t be a good fit.
- You expect me to do the rewriting. I don’t offer ghostwriting, ghost editing, or book doctoring. You’ve invested time and energy crafting your story; you’re the best person to make creative decisions about which aspects of my feedback to take on board.
- You won’t be understanding if we have to reschedule a call due to a thunderstorm-induced power cut. This occasionally happens!
“The quality of the report and the level of detail … is truly precious!”
I really value Joanne’s contribution to my book. Her outside perspective helped me to pull out the real threads of my story and flesh them out, steering me in the most compelling direction for my readers. She made suggestions that I hadn’t thought of, and asked thoughtful questions that made me think about my story in new ways, so I could get to the heart of what I was trying to say. I would recommend her to anyone who requires a thoughtful editor to give honest and considered feedback.
Penny F
Fiction & memoir author
Joanne got the characters and the story so well, and my take on the genre – all things that make a real difference. I am so pleased with the quality of the report and the level of detail. It is truly precious! Joanne, I loved working with you, and really hope we can work together on the next one too! 🙂
Lara Byrne
Award-winning historical fiction author
What a developmental edit includes
- Two read-throughs: a cold read and a close read.
- In-manuscript reader response comments and editorial notes.
- An editorial report considering characters, dialogue, stakes, plot, pace, transitions, description, setting/worldbuilding, backstory, showing and telling, and addressing your specific questions. Analysis of structure, chapter-by-chapter notes, character list, editorial questions and suggestions. My developmental edit editorial reports are usually 9–12 pages of precise, thoughtful commentary, without being overwhelming.
- Weekly email updates. These are short and casual to keep you up to date or ask quick questions.
- Introductory, feedback, and follow-up call. Or email if you prefer, though I do like an intro call to hear your voice – it helps me more quickly understand your unique authorial voice!
What happens to your manuscript
After having a look at a sample of your work, and giving you some example comments to see if my feedback style is a good fit for you, you send me your full manuscript. Your work, and our communications, remain confidential (unless you specifically ask me to shout about it!).
First, I do a cold read, where I read your full manuscript as if I were a reader. I make very minimal notes at this stage. I record my impressions when I finish reading. This helps me see the shape of your story and what you are trying to achieve, as well as genre considerations (such as how relevant the romance plot is to the overall story, for example).
Then I do a close read. I ignore spelling, punctuation, and grammar because I am looking at the big-picture elements of story such as character, stakes, and plot. I always ask authors what their main concerns, questions or difficulties are so I can consider those carefully too. Usually writers know which bits they think aren’t serving the story exactly how they want, and often have ideas on how to resolve it, but sometimes they second-guess themselves and benefit from another opinion.
I make notes in the margin of my reader responses. They indicate areas that are very effective, as well as areas that are less effective. For example, where really grabbed my attention and built suspense, or made me care about the character. Though reader response comments are subjective, previous clients say they give a unique insight into how a reader responds to your words.
I add editorial comments in the margins too. These are more analytical in nature and provide more detail and suggestions you might like to consider. These comments are much less subjective and focus on elements of writing craft. After the close read, I write out my thoughts on character, stakes, plot (depending on the needs of the manuscript), and any other specific questions you have provided me with. These comments become my editorial report.
A developmental edit includes more in-depth analysis than developmental feedback. I will also write up a chapter-by-chapter record table or a story structure graph, whichever I think would be most helpful to you depending on my recommendations or your preferences. You can see examples below. After delivering your editorial report and annotated manuscript, we have a feedback call. And a later follow-up call to see how you are getting on with your revisions and to ask any further questions. So you stay unstuck!
What a developmental edit looks like
Here’s an example manuscript page and editorial report pages from a developmental edit, and a twelve-page editorial report from a different project. (Shared with kind permission from the authors, though identifying details have been disguised for confidentiality.)
A developmental edit is the most in-depth story-level service I offer
Choose the service that works best for you. Developmental feedback and developmental editing both consider the big-picture of your story. I have different tiers based on the amount of time I spend with your manuscript and the level of analysis and detail I write up.
Be confident we’re a good fit for each other with a 1,000-word sample edit for US$50.
| Details | Full manuscript developmental edit | Full manuscript developmental feedback | Mini-edit developmental feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of read throughs. | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| In-manuscript reader responses and editorial notes. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editorial report: characters, dialogue, stakes, plot, pace, transitions, description, setting/world, backstory, showing and telling. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analysis of structure, scene-by-scene notes, character list, editorial questions and suggestions. | ✓ | x | x |
| Weekly email updates. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Introductory and feedback call (optional). | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Additional follow-up call (optional). | ✓ | x (available as an add-on) | x |
| Approximate duration in weeks. | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Approximate price for 80,000 words (mini-edit 10,000 words). | $2,095–$3,200 | $1,200–$2,400 | $240–$325 |
Ask me about local rates if you’re in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
“Merged with my writing style perfectly”
I have worked with Joanne over a series of multiple books. She is a very talented editor. Working with her has been an absolute pleasure and she made it very easy! Joanne had a significant impact on my books and merged with my writing style perfectly. Whoever she is working for next is very lucky. Joanne, you deserve all the success in the world!
Zayden Stone
Mythology author
So happy with Joanne’s developmental feedback. Thorough, very detailed, and thoughtful. Plenty for me to reflect on and fix. Delivered ahead of time and was very clear in her progress at each stage. Joanne is very professional and I have no hesitation in recommending her. Thanks again!
Author wishes to remain anonymous
Publishing under a pseudonym
Feel free to reach out with questions or specific requirements and we can discuss how to best give your book the boost it deserves.
Looking for something else?
For a more affordable story-level option, see my developmental feedback or consultation service. If the big-picture issues are already in place, you might be looking for a sentence-level edit like a line edit.
Not ready for a professional edit yet? My post about self-editing might help.
Joanne Taylor • Ajatar Editing 