What is a developmental edit?
A developmental edit is a deep analysis of your book's big-picture elements. Unlike a copy edit or line edit, which focus on grammar and punctuation, a developmental edit looks at narrative arc, character development, structure, pacing, and overall readability, down to the scene level.
It's the full deep dive, and it comes first in the editing process. Polishing sentences in a scene that's about to be cut is money you don't need to spend.
Is your draft ready for a developmental edit?
A developmental edit is a big investment, so it should land on a draft that can use it. You're probably ready if:
You’ve finished at least one round of revision on your own.
You want notes on every scene, not just the big picture.
You’ve workshopped your story with a critique group or beta readers, but something isn’t working.
You’re confident in your stories direction, but ready to ensure each element is as strong as it can be.
Not quite there yet?
Start with a Revision Plan and fix the big-picture issues first.
What’s included
30 to 40 page editorial report examining genre conventions, point of view, character arcs, and more.
Inline comments on your manuscript including scene structure breakdowns
Two 60-minute calls
30 days of email support.
Pricing
$0.03 per word
100,000 words = $3,000
A 20% deposit is required to hold your date.
The remaining cost may be divided into up to 5 monthly payments.
My Editing Process
You don't get a vague sense that the middle drags. You get the specific scene where the story stops moving, why it stops, and what would get it going again.
First Read: as your audience
Start to finish, the way your reader will meet it. I note where I couldn't put it down and where my attention slipped.
Second Read: as your editor
Scene by scene. What each one is doing for the plot and the characters, and where the structure, pacing, or stakes give way.
Editorial letter & follow up calls
Want more?
The Complete Manuscript Package bundles,…
$0.0324 per word
Save $260 on 100,000 words
Why pay for a Developmental Edit?
Editing before you query
Agents read a few pages before deciding whether to keep going, and a full manuscript request is only the start. A developmental edit before you query means the book behind your opening pages holds up all the way to the end.
Editing before you self-publish
When you self-publish, you're the publisher, so you decide the order of editing. Do the developmental edit first, then line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Each later stage polishes sentences, and polishing sentences you're about to rewrite costs twice.
“Leah is fantastic and really puts everything she’s got into her work. There was so much she provided about my work that it was overwhelming, but it has given me so much to work with moving forward and my project will be greatly improved because of it. 10/10 would recommend.””