As a writer, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your manuscript. You’ve written, revised, and fine-tuned your story countless times. But now, after all those revisions, you look at it and sigh.
You’re not sure if the story you’ve been envisioning is on the page and the readers will experience it in the way you hope.
Now what?
It’s time to bring in a badass developmental editor to give your novel the fresh perspective and storytelling punch it needs. But what exactly does developmental editing entail, and how can it elevate your novel from good to great—or from great to legendary (think A Court of Thorns and Roses or Outlander)?
In this guide, I'll break down what you can expect when working with a professional developmental editor. Whether you're a first-time novelist or a seasoned writer, understanding the key components of this stage will make the editing process smoother, more effective, and—most importantly—way more fun!
What is Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing, sometimes called content editing or substantive editing, focuses on the big-picture elements of your manuscript. Unlike copyediting or proofreading, which address grammar, punctuation, and typos, developmental editing dives deep into your story structure, pacing, character development, point-of-view, and overall narrative arc.
Think of it like this: if line editing is polishing each sentence, developmental editing is making sure your story doesn’t fall into the same pacing traps as or suffer from Game of Thrones (Season 8)-plot level inconsistencies.
It’s a collaborative process where an experienced book editor examines your story’s foundation and helps refine it so that what you imagined becomes a captivating reality that your readers adore. They provide feedback on every chapter, helping you turn raw ideas into literary gold.
The Developmental Editing Process: What to Expect
Discovery Call
Before signing any contracts or setting up return dates, this is where you finally meet your editor and discuss any questions you might have around the process, the editors editing style, and how their approach aligns with your needs. A discovery call is a no-obligation conversation designed to make sure there is a good fit between you and your editor. It’s an opportunity to share details about your manuscript, clarify your goals, and ask any questions about the editing process, pricing, and timeline.
The editor will also explain their methods, offer insights into how they can support your book, and help you determine if their expertise aligns with your vision. This call supports both parties to have clear expectations before moving forward.
Initial Consultation
After contracts have been signed and dates planned, before your developmental editor dives into your manuscript, they will typically schedule an initial consultation. I like to call it the Author Alignment and Vision Session. This is where you tackle all the hard-hitting questions about your book’s vision, themes, and goals.
Some questions might be:
What are your hopes for the story?
Are there specific areas of concern or parts you’re struggling with?
Who is your target audience? (Are you writing for fantasy lovers who binge-read Sarah J. Maas, or are you crafting the next literary masterpiece in the vein of Donna Tartt?)
Do you plan to self-publish or pursue traditional publishing?
This step is meant to align the project with your vision and their editing approach, creating a seamless partnership throughout the book editing process.
First Read-Through
Before diving into in-depth analysis or making detailed suggestions, the editor approaches your manuscript as a reader first. This initial read-through is about immersing in the story—experiencing its flow, pacing, emotional impact, and overall readability. The editor takes note of how the narrative unfolds, where engagement is strongest, and where readers might struggle. At this stage, they’re absorbing the characters, world, and themes as a whole, letting the story settle before moving into deeper structural and developmental passes in subsequent read-throughs.
Some of the areas they may note are:
Plot holes (Did your protagonist just magically acquire a sword with no explanation?)
Character inconsistencies (Why did this morally gray villain suddenly turn into a Disney hero?)
Scenes that drag or feel rushed (We love a slow burn, but make sure it’s not a too slow burn!)
In-Depth Analysis and Suggestions
Now, we get into the nitty-gritty of your manuscript. As your developmental editor begins their second, third, fourth, or more they will focus on:
Does your pacing allow the reader to fully immerse in the world and characters, or does it drag in places, losing momentum? Conversely, is the story rushing through key emotional beats, leaving readers ungrounded?
Are your characters fully realized with layered motivations, or do they feel like placeholders moving the plot forward without internal drive?
Is your POV consistent and serving the story’s emotional depth? Would a close perspective intensify the reader’s connection, or would a broader scope enhance the world-building?
Do your character interactions feel organic and emotionally charged, or do conversations read like staged exchanges that don’t reflect their personalities or relationships?
Are your themes naturally woven into the story’s subtext, allowing readers to uncover meaning, or are they presented so overtly that they feel more like a lecture than an integral part of the narrative?
Expect detailed comments directly on your manuscript with specific suggestions for revisions and improvements.
Developmental Editing Feedback Letter
After multiple read-throughs, the editor compiles their insights into a detailed developmental editing feedback letter. This document provides an overarching assessment of the manuscript, addressing key elements such as story structure, character development, pacing, world-building, and thematic depth. The letter highlights strengths and areas for improvement, offering actionable suggestions to enhance the story’s cohesion and emotional impact. The feedback is tailored to the author’s goals, providing guidance on revisions while leaving room for creative choices. This letter serves as a roadmap for the next steps in refining the manuscript.
The feedback letter works in tandem with the in-line comments left directly on the manuscript. While the letter provides a broad analysis and suggested revisions, the comments pinpoint specific moments in the text where adjustments could be made. These notes might highlight areas where tension could be increased, dialogue sharpened, or character motivations clarified. Together, the letter and manuscript comments offer a comprehensive, structured approach to revision, giving the author both big-picture guidance and scene-level insights.
Revisions and Collaboration
Once you’ve received your editor’s feedback, it’s your turn to revise. But don’t panic—this isn’t a solo mission!
Many editors are there to guide you if you need clarification or want to brainstorm solutions. Whether you’re the type of writer who wants to discuss every change (think George R.R. Martin meticulously crafting every character arc) or one who prefers to run with the feedback and come back later (like Brandon Sanderson speed-writing entire novels in secret), your editor is there to support your process.
Additional Read-Throughs
After you’ve made your revisions, many developmental editors will give a discount for reviews or second developmental edits on that specific story.
This is your last chance to refine your story, then you’re off to line editing and copyediting.
Why Invest in Developmental Editing?
If you want your book to stand out in a crowded market, developmental editing is essential. Here’s what it can do for you:
Check if your your plot, pacing, and tension will keep readers hooked.
Help you develop believable, dynamic characters with depth.
Help you learn valuable storytelling techniques that you can apply to future projects.
Make Your Book Market-Ready, by checking if your novel fits genre expectations and appeals to literary agents, publishers, or self-publishing readers.
When to Hire a Developmental Editor
Consider hiring a developmental editor if:
You’ve completed your first draft and self-revised it a few (or more) times.
You’re stuck with story structure issues.
You’re preparing to query literary agents.
You want to self-publish a polished book.
Find & Hire a Developmental Editor
Finding the right developmental editor can mean the difference between a good book and a great one.
As a developmental editor and book coach, I believe that every story—whether it’s dark and brooding, graphic and bloody, epic and long, lush and romantic, or raw and intimate—deserves to be told with authenticity and confidence. My approach is rooted in collaboration, deep curiosity, and an open-minded perspective that embraces the full spectrum of human experience. Together, we’ll explore the heart of your story, make sure the tension is, and themes and characters resonate with depth and nuance. I provide insightful and actionable feedback that not only strengthens your manuscript’s structure but also encourages you to lean into your boldest creative choices. My goal is to help you craft a compelling, immersive book that fully embodies your vision—whether that means breaking genre boundaries, embracing the erotic, or weaving in complex emotional truths.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact me today, and let’s make literary magic happen!
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