Developmental Editing Services

for Fantasy & Science Fiction Novels

How It Works

  • Request a quote, and I'll be in touch to provide you with a cost estimate, timeline, and a link to my questionnaire.

  • If you're happy with the time and cost estimate, you'll then complete the client questionnaire so I can understand more about your novel and your writing goals. Keep in mind that the time you take to complete this will impact the start date of the project.

  • Once I receive the questionnaire, I will send a contract for your official acceptance. This will include all the project terms, payment schedule, and actual deadline.

  • When you sign the contract, you'll pay 50% of the total project cost. You will pay the final 50% at the conclusion of the project.

  • Once I've completed the editorial letter, I will send it to you via email.

  • I will provide 60 days of post-edit support to be a sounding board for you. If you’re considering adding a subplot or killing off a character, and you want an informed opinion - I’m your girl. I will not read any revisions or new content though.

  • I get to know you and your story's vision.

    I believe in helping writers figure out the best way to tell the story they want to tell. Before I start editing a manuscript for an author, I take the time to understand their creative vision. I have a detailed questionnaire that gets at the heart of why you imagined this story into existence. This info guides my critique so I can make editing suggestions that inspire you.

    Whether your goal is to become a self-published author or query an agent, I guide you through the frustrating yet rewarding process of editing your draft.

  • I read your manuscript twice.

    In my first pass, I get the full reader experience. The only difference is I take copious notes on how the story makes me feel. If I'm confused, excited, nervous, frustrated, sad - I put myself in the shoes of future readers to make sure they have the best experience possible. Then, I prepare for my second editing pass of the novel.

    With the big picture in mind, I can then think critically about character development, plot structure, world building, setting, and more. I do an in-depth analysis of the book to begin crafting my critique.

  • I craft a thorough editorial letter with actionable feedback.

    As a developmental editor, I focus recommendations on structural improvements over copy edits. This means that I do not provide proofreading or inline comments on the draft. Instead, I take all my feedback and organize it into a comprehensive editorial letter. In this letter, I lay out my analysis and break down what's working and where the biggest opportunities lie.

    At the very end, I summarize my developmental edit into actionable bullet points to give you a blueprint for the next steps in your writing process.

  • I use an encouraging and inspirational approach.

    I am passionate about the art of storytelling. I do this because I love to read, and I thrive on solving structural problems in fictional works. This means that with each book edit I take on, I care deeply about seeing it come together. I'm invested in your success as an author.

    In my feedback, I'm honest but kind. I'm not here to provide a scathing review of every issue. I'm here to help you identify the problems you're too close to see and guide you through the roadblocks you know exist. I'm a partner to help you turn your dreams into reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The exact contract value will vary depending on the word count, but my normal rate is $0.017 per word. This equates to approximately $250 for every 15,000 words.

  • I specialize in fantasy and science fiction, so I prefer receiving this type of work, but I’m open to other genres. However, I do not read horror or erotica. If you have questions, please reach out!

  • No, I do not. As much as I would love to offer refunds, you are paying for my time, which I cannot get back.

  • I recommend sending a complete draft when possible so I can provide feedback on its entirety. However, I will absolutely read incomplete drafts too! Sometimes when you’re stuck, outside help is exactly what you need.

  • You will pay 50% of the total cost before work begins and 50% at the end of the project.

  • Once we have a signed contract, the exact turnaround will vary depending on the word count and my current availability, but my usual turnaround time is about 4 days per 15,000 words.

  • This type of edit is meant to be completed earlier in the process. My feedback usually involves larger structural changes, which may include heavy rewriting or revision. It would be a waste of my time and yours to comment on small details that may not make it into future drafts.

  • Once I’ve delivered the edit, you will have 60 days to ask any follow-up questions or receive additional support. Any post-edit insight must be based on content I’ve already read. I will not read revised material or new content once the editorial letter has been delivered.

Request a Quote.

Interested to learn more? Fill out the form and I will be in touch via email to talk through the details.