Manuscript Editing

Developmental Editing

Collaborates before a manuscript is written or during the writing process
Covers plot holes, character arcs, theme, sequences, beats, and dialogue
Establishes structure and overall focus
Benefits to the author: You have a clear idea of the story you’re telling, which enables you to focus on the events your story needs to cover. Developmental editing results in a better first draft that needs less structural editing on the back-end. Further, with a solidly developed manuscript plan before you begin writing (or even during the writing process), can serve as a template for your book proposal, for platform building, and for promotion.

Edits your manuscript for sentence structure and content
Revises individual sentences for style, consistency, and accuracy
Reviews your manuscript for adhesion to its purpose and audience
Benefits to the author: Your manuscript is telling the story you want it to tell; you’re not leaping in terms of focus or voice or style. The manuscript is accurate in terms of facts, dates, and overall story as well as voice, theme, and plot.

Reviews your manuscript for consistency
Reads your manuscript for general cohesion and flow
Benefits to author: The manuscript is cleaned up for technical issues that could distract from the story itself. Clean manuscripts are more salable for those looking for traditional publication (typically, publishing companies will deduct this from your advance if they have to pay to have it done, or they will ask that you have it done if they accept your manuscript…at worse, they don’t do it at all and publishing your manuscript riddled with embarassing errors). For the self-published author, clean copy helps you establish yourself as a true literary professional.