Developmental Editor for Fantasy & Science Fiction Authors
Fantasy and science fiction aren't like other genres. The craft challenges are specific, the reader expectations run deep, and the things that can break a manuscript are genre-specific in ways that general writing advice won't catch.
I'm a developmental editor specializing in fantasy and science fiction because I love these genres and because they require an editorial eye that actually understands them.
If you've been working on a manuscript for longer than you want to admit, and you're finally ready to get outside feedback, you're in the right place.
What I Look At in a Fantasy or Science Fiction Manuscript
A developmental edit for speculative fiction covers the same fundamentals as any fiction: plot structure, character arcs, pacing, stakes, and scene-level effectiveness. But fantasy and science fiction bring their own layer of complexity on top of that.
Here's what I'm specifically looking at in a speculative manuscript:
World-building load. Is the setting enriching the story or weighing it down? Is information delivered at the right pace, or is it front-loaded in ways that lose readers before they're invested?
Internal logic. Do the rules of your world, magic system, or technology hold together consistently? Readers of these genres will notice when they don't and it pulls them out of the story.
Speculative element integration. Are your magic system, technology, or world-building driving the plot and character arcs, or just sitting alongside them? The best fantasy and science fiction weaves the speculative into the emotional core of the story.
Character arcs in high-stakes plots. Big external conflicts can swallow character development. I look at whether your characters are growing and changing in ways that feel earned, not just surviving what the plot throws at them.
Pacing. Fantasy and sci-fi often carry more structural weight than other genres. I look at where exposition, action, and character development land relative to each other, and whether the pacing serves the story's needs at every stage.
Stakes. Are the emotional and external stakes clear and connected? Readers need to understand what your protagonist stands to lose, why it matters, and why they should care about it.
Subgenres I Edit
I work across the full range of fantasy and science fiction. If you're writing any of the following, we're a good fit:
Fantasy: Epic fantasy, high fantasy, dark fantasy, grimdark, urban fantasy, portal fantasy, historical fantasy, gaslamp fantasy, sword and sorcery, LitRPG, progression fantasy, and romantic fantasy. (Romantasy has its own dedicated page if that's your genre.)
Science Fiction: Space opera, military science fiction, hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, cyberpunk, biopunk, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, climate fiction, first contact stories, and generation ship or colonization narratives.
Not sure where your book fits? Tell me about it. If it's speculative, there's a good chance we're a match.
How We Can Work Together
The full deep dive. I'll read your manuscript closely and deliver an editorial letter covering your plot structure, character arcs, pacing, world-building, and everything else that shapes how your story works.
Includes inline comments throughout the manuscript.
Best for: Writers with a second or later draft who are ready for thorough, actionable feedback.
A high-level read of your full manuscript with honest, specific feedback on your major strengths and the areas that need the most work. You'll get a clear picture of where your story stands before you commit to a full revision.
Best for: Writers who want an outside perspective before diving into rewrites, or who aren't sure if their manuscript is ready for a developmental edit.
A focused one-hour call on whatever your manuscript needs. Bring your questions, your stuck points, or your structural problems. We'll work through them together.
Best for: Writers who need a sounding board more than a full editorial pass right now.
Have a plan but want to stress-test it before you write 90,000 words? I'll review your outline and give you detailed feedback on structure, character arcs, romance beats if applicable, and plot logic. Catch the big problems before they become big rewrites.
Best for: Plotters and pantsers who want to build on a solid foundation before drafting.
Ongoing monthly editorial support as you draft or revise. A good option if you want consistent feedback throughout the process rather than waiting until the whole manuscript is done.
Best for: Writers who work best with a regular sounding board and want support at every stage.
How the Process Works
Submit an intake form. Tell me about your project: genre, word count, and where you are in the drafting and revision process.
Receive a free sample edit. I'll edit the first 2,000 words of your manuscript and send it back. This is how you see exactly how I work before committing to anything.
Discovery call. We'll talk through your manuscript, your goals, and which service makes the most sense for where you are.
Proposal and contract. I'll send a project proposal through my client portal. Once you sign and the deposit is in, your spot is confirmed.
Editorial delivery. You'll receive your editorial letter, inline manuscript comments, or both, depending on the service. For manuscripts under 120,000 words, delivery is within 30 days of your project start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
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These are three different services.
A developmental edit looks at the big picture: plot, structure, character arcs, pacing, and world-building.
A copy edit looks at sentence-level mechanics: grammar, consistency, and style.
A line editor looks at the prose to tighten sentences and improve clarity.
Most writers benefit from developmental editing first, since structural revisions often change a lot of the prose anyway.
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A manuscript evaluation is a high-level read: I go through your whole manuscript and give you honest feedback on what's working and what needs the most attention, without going line by line.
A developmental edit is more thorough: you get an editorial letter plus inline comments throughout the manuscript. If you're early in the revision process, start with an evaluation. If you have a later draft and you're ready for detailed feedback, a developmental edit is the right move.
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For manuscripts under 120,000 words, 30 days from your project start date.
For manuscripts at or over 120,000 words, 60 days from your project start date.
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All of them. Epic fantasy, urban fantasy, dark fantasy, portal fantasy, grimdark, space opera, military sci-fi, hard sci-fi, dystopian, LitRPG, cyberpunk, and more. If it's speculative, I'm probably a good fit.
Tell me about your project and I'll confirm.
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Yes. Whether you're planning to query literary agents or publish independently, the editorial process is the same. I help you build the strongest version of your manuscript for your publishing goals, whatever they are.
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You should have a complete draft that you’ve editing at least twice all the way through before going into a developmental edit. It doesn't need to be polished, it just needs to be more than a first draft.
If you're earlier in the process, an outline review or coaching call might be a better fit. If you're not sure, send me an intake form and we'll figure it out together.
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Yes, and it's free. I edit the first 2,000 words of your manuscript before you commit to anything. It's how you know whether my editorial voice is a good match for your work.
Ready to Work on Your Fantasy or Science Fiction Manuscript?
Whether you have a finished draft ready for feedback or you're still figuring out what your story needs, there's a way to work together that fits where you are right now.