Development Editing

“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you, and we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.”

~ Arthur Plotnik

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On Development Editing

For authors, there comes a point when you have to layer your vision and passion for your writing with the perspective of your reader, when—if you have the stomach for it—you stop using your pages as a vessel for endless creativity and focus on a single story. Something cohesive, lean, impactful. A book people will read beginning to end, then put down and sigh with satisfaction. This is development editing.

Unlike copyediting, which typically is only useful once you’re two or three (or twelve) drafts deep, dev. editing is a cyclical process that can start during the outlining phase (if you’re a plotter) or after you put the pen down on your first draft (if you’re a pantser), and doesn’t end until you’re happy with the bones of your book. It’s about organising chapters so readers stay engaged, trimming away dead weight, and developing every arc to its maximum potential.

People often think dev. editing is mostly about getting rid of stuff (Kill your darlings, anyone?), but it’s just as much about adding to and improving what’s already there. Of course, you will cut sections (or entire chapters, plotlines, characters…), but the key factor is that unnecessary information dilutes all the good stuff; removing it the easiest way to strengthen what remains.

Of course, you can and should be dev. editing your own drafts, but the deeper into the process you get the harder it is to embody the reader and assess your work with fresh eyes. Then, you’ll need an editor. Someone who will, unfortunately, point out that you’ve missed an enormous plot hole, or the character you love so much could be lifted out of the story without issue, or your prose lacks interiority and reads more like a screenplay.

And then you redraft, again, because you’re in service to the story and so is your editor, and editing is a brutal process with beautiful results. It’s not easy, but stay the course and, I promise, your readers will thank you.

My Service

    • Send an enquiry through the contact form.

    • I’ll reply within 48 hours and set up a consultation call (phone or video, whichever you prefer).

    • We’ll discuss your book and your goals for the edit, as well as your budget and any other relevant information.

    • Next is the free sample edit. Because a development edit is fundamentally holistic, it’s difficult to show the full scope of edits you will receive without reading the entire manuscript. However, I can provide a structural assessment of your opening pages and give some thoughts about the set up of themes, characters, and tone.

    • Once we agree the scope of the project, I’ll put a quote together and send a letter of agreement for you to sign.

    • The work begins. Once I receive the signed letter, deposit of funds, and your draft, I’ll get stuck in.

    • A developmental report, including a holistic assessment of your entire manuscript as well as individual chapter breakdowns. The report will (at minimum) cover the strengths and weaknesses in your plot, structure, pacing, character development, theming, voice, and worldbuilding.

    • A copy of your manuscript in MS Word with commentary throughout, referencing the issues highlighted in the developmental report.

    • Optionally, another copy of your manuscript with suggested edits shown with tracked changes. I may move sections around, outline new scenes, and delete anything that does not add to the story.

    • Up to two hours of post-edit consultation to go over any areas of concern, with the option to extend for a further fee.

  • I will not use AI to edit your work. This is for two reasons:

    1. I fundamentally oppose the encroachment of AI into creative spaces.

    2. I do a better job than AI does.

    If you have further questions, please bring them up in our consultation.

  • My standard rate for an all-inclusive development edit is £15 per 1,000 words. That said, my service is flexible by design. If you could benefit from a development editor’s input but don’t need all the bells and whistles, I’ll create a quote tailored to your budget and priorities.

    My initial consultation is completely free with no obligation, so please do reach out through the enquiry form. I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s Work Together

Need big-picture feedback on structure, pacing, or plot? Get in touch to discuss development editing.