Developmental feedback looks at what makes your story work, focusing on the main strengths and opportunities for improvement. It’s to shape 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 if your book isn’t the type of thing your available readers or family and friends would usually read. The idea is to see if you’re conveying your ideas as intended on the page; I don’t dictate my personal preferences!
From undecided to determined
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 – and I’m an educator, not a meanie. Feedback should leave you feeling empowered, not disheartened.
Would your story benefit from developmental feedback?
Developmental feedback is for you if …
- You have a complete manuscript and know you’ve got a great story in there but are wondering if it comes across how you intended.
- You’ve read through the whole thing and made some improvements, but you want an outside opinion.
- You’re looking for feedback you can apply to your next rounds of revisions and self-editing.
But not a good fit if …
- You’re looking for a quick, surface-level fix. Developmental feedback doesn’t address spelling, punctuation and grammar like a copyedit.
- You’re not open to constructive feedback and collaboration. If you’re not open to suggestions, developmental feedback won’t be a good fit.
- You expect me to do 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!
“I could get to the heart of what I was trying to say”
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 developmental feedback includes
- One close read through of your manuscript.
- 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. My developmental feedback editorial reports are usually 6–9 pages of thoughtful commentary, without being overwhelming.
- Weekly email updates. These are short and casual to keep you up to date or ask quick questions.
- Introductory and feedback 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. (A follow-up call to discuss your revisions can be added at a reduced rate, if you like.)
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!).
As I read your full manuscript carefully, I make margin notes as comments in Word. These are my reader responses. They indicate areas that are very effective, as well as areas that are less effective. For example, where in the manuscript 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 also make editorial comments about what works well and what might trip readers up, such as a plot inconsistency or confusing description. These comments are much less subjective and focus on elements of writing craft.
I also have my notebook to record my impressions and reflections while reading. This helps me see the shape of your story when I look back, 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).
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.
When I’ve finished the story and reflected on my notes, I develop my editorial comments in the margins. These provide more explanation and suggestions you might like to consider. Then I work on my editorial report, detailing my thoughts on character, stakes, plot and any other specific questions you have provided me with. I triage to focus on the key issues within your specific manuscript. This helps you focus on the most important elements of your story that could benefit from development.
Developmental feedback does not include the in-depth analysis that comes with a full developmental edit. Developmental feedback can be a budget-friendly option suitable for emerging writers or meticulous planners who already have a detailed outline, character lists, and story structure plan. You can see an example of developmental feedback below.
After delivering your editorial report and annotated manuscript, we have a call where you can ask me about the feedback. You can discuss your action plan with me to make sure you feel determined!
What developmental feedback looks like
Here’s an example manuscript page and editorial report page of developmental feedback, and a partial editorial report from a different project. (Shared with kind permission from the authors, though identifying details have been disguised for confidentiality.)
Developmental feedback is a lite version of a developmental edit
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.
| 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). | £1,465–£2,040 | £615–£920 | £185–250 |
“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 an even more in-depth and luxurious story-level option, see my developmental edit 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 