What Are Developmental Edits?
One of the hardest parts about writing a novel is the uncertainty that comes with the writing process. Especially for new authors, it can often feel like you’re just writing scenes one day at a time and hoping it all works out. Even writers with experience or a neat, tidy outline may find that something isn’t quite right with the finished manuscript. If you’ve written a book and feel like you need guidance with plot, pacing, and characters arcs (among other things), a developmental edit is a logical next step. Working with the right editor can help you make sense of your story and provide answers to big-picture questions.
If you’ve made your manuscript as good as you can on your own and aren’t sure what to do next, it may be time to hire a developmental editor like Joel Brigham.
What do Developmental Edits Include?
A developmental edit includes an editorial letter that will summarize the book’s strengths, opportunities for improvement, and recommended revisions. They will focus mostly on the following:
- Themes
- Pacing/Beats
- Character Motivation
- Character Arcs
Based on your story’s unique needs, I also may include feedback about:
- The Opening of the Story
- Romance/Relationships
- Dialogue
- Writer Voice/Narration
- Continuity Issues
- World Building/Setting
- The Story’s Ending
What Do Developmental Edits Cost?
Brigham Editorial offers a few developmental editing services, which are as follows:
- Developmental Edits with Editorial Letter – $20 per 1,000 words. This includes a single pass of the manuscript, as well as a detailed editorial letter as outlined above.
- Developmental Edits with Editorial Letter and In-Line Comments – $25 per 1,000 words. This includes a single pass of the manuscript with in-line comments as a supplement to the editorial letter. The letter includes generalized feedback, while the in-line comments include more specific feedback by scene/chapter.
- Re-Read Report – $12 per 1,000 words. If you’d like me to take a second look at the manuscript after you’ve finished, I can do that and provide a summary of any further revisions that may be necessary.
How Long Do Developmental Edits Take?
Manuscripts up to 65,000 words will take two weeks from your scheduled start date. Manuscripts up to 100,000 words will take three weeks. If your book is longer than that, I can give you an estimate based on the word count.
How Do I Book a Developmental Edit?
To book a developmental edit, please complete a contact form. I can answer any questions you may have and then get you on the schedule as soon as there’s an opening. It really is that easy!
Brigham Editorial 