What is Developmental Editing?
Developmental Editing, also known as Content Editing, is a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of your manuscript, in which voice, sentence structure, dialogue flow, syntax, pacing, character arcs, setting, emotional cues, plot, point of view, tense, and sequence are analyzed. Often, this type of edit requires rewrites and/or extra attention to certain chapters in order to help focus the overall plot and make those plot twists more impactful.
How Many Rounds Do I Need?
One Round: One round is ideal for authors looking for overall feedback on content.
Two Rounds: Recommended! Two rounds are ideal for the author who is looking to apply overall and specific feedback to chapters, smaller manuscripts, and/or manuscripts that have been or will be beta read by professionals.
Three Rounds: Most Booked! Recommended for larger books, books with dual timelines, books with multiple point of views or more than two main characters, manuscripts written by more than one author, anthologies/multi-author series, books with detailed magic systems or intricate new worlds, and books which were written over a long period of time without multiple rounds of self-edits and/or plot details.
Is one round not enough?
Of course, one round is better than no rounds, but it all comes down to the condition of the manuscript. Why? Because the stronger the manuscript, the less likely it is to need multiple rounds. For example, if the manuscript has major plot holes that need to be addresssed, there will likely be changes (additions, or deletions). These manipulated or altered sections, can alter the flow and create/illuminate minor plot holes or discrepancies that would benefit from a second round of edits. Authors who tend to book one round of developmental edits have done one or more of the following: a detailed plot analysis, manuscript critique, multiple self-edits, and/or have gotten feedback from multiple alpha/beta readers. Furthermore, experienced writers who have created detailed plot lines and/or authors who easily implement suggestions without the need for a second round to review also have booked one round. Although, most book two.
If you're not sure, ask us. We're happy to recommend the number of rounds, and we're the first to tell you if one round is sufficient.
How Long Will It Take?
|
Wordcount |
Developmental |
|
0-30k |
6-8 business days |
|
31-50k |
8-10 business days |
|
51-85k |
10-12 business days |
|
81-100k |
12-16 business days |
|
101-150k |
16-20 business days |
For larger manuscripts, please request turnaround time frames.
PLEASE NOTE:
In between rounds, the client may opt for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (4 weeks if manuscript is over 100k) to work on the edits before sending the manuscript back for the next round. If less or more time is requested, feel free to suggest it. We do our best to accomodate schedules.
The dates will be stipulated in the agreement when booked.