Developmental editing is intended for authors who have a solid draft (partially or fully complete) but want guidance to ensure their story is cohesive, compelling, and fully realized. Whether you’re working on a memoir, personal essay, or nonfiction manuscript, this service focuses on the big-picture elements of your writing—structure, pacing, narrative arc, and clarity of purpose—so your story resonates with readers.

Developmental editing includes a Discovery Session to identify your manuscript’s specific needs, one round of developmental editing focused on structure, pacing, narrative arc, character, and clarity of purpose, and a Follow-Up Session after you receive your edits to help you understand feedback, prioritize revisions, and move forward with confidence.

Wondering if your manuscript needs a full edit or just a big-picture read?

A manuscript evaluation is a good fit if your draft is still in early stages, incomplete, or not quite ready for a full developmental edit. It gives you a big-picture read of your manuscript so you can understand what’s working, what needs more development, and what to focus on next—without the time or cost of a deeper edit. You’ll receive written feedback on structure, clarity, pacing, and overall cohesion, along with guidance on whether your manuscript is ready for developmental editing or would benefit from further revision first.