Developmental Editing Services

Developmental editing is the first and most important editorial stage in preparing a manuscript for publication. While copyediting and proofreading address surface-level issues, developmental editing addresses the big picture: structure, argument, pacing, character development, narrative flow, and whether your manuscript is working at the level it needs to work at for your target audience.

Editor World's developmental editors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to work with fiction and nonfiction writers at every stage of the publishing process, from independent authors to academics preparing manuscripts for publication. All editors are native English speakers from the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada, with extensive experience in their genre or field.

Choose Your Developmental Editor

What Is Developmental Editing?

Developmental editing, sometimes called substantive, structural, comprehensive, or content editing, is the stage in the writing process where an editor evaluates your manuscript at the highest level. Rather than focusing on grammar or punctuation, a developmental editor looks at how well the whole manuscript is working and identifies what needs to change for it to reach its potential.

For fiction manuscripts, developmental editing addresses:

• Plot structure and consistency
• Character development and motivation
• Pacing and narrative flow
• Story development and arc
• Author voice and point of view
• Scene and chapter organization

For nonfiction manuscripts, developmental editing addresses:

• Argument structure and logical flow
• Chapter organization and content sequencing
• Clarity and accessibility for the target audience
• Consistency of tone and voice throughout
• Content gaps and areas needing further development

Your editor will provide an annotated copy of your manuscript with in-depth comments and tracked changes throughout, alongside a detailed editorial letter summarizing the key findings and recommendations. If you need more extensive help than developmental editing can provide, our professional rewriting services may be the right next step.

Types of Manuscripts We Developmentally Edit

Fiction:

• Novels
• Short stories
• Plays
• Screenplays

Nonfiction:

• Memoirs and autobiographies
• Biographies
• Self-improvement and self-help books
• Academic textbooks
• How-to books
• Articles

What a Comprehensive Developmental Edit Includes

When you submit your manuscript to Editor World for developmental editing, your editor will evaluate it at the manuscript, chapter, and paragraph levels. You will receive:

• A copy of your manuscript with in-depth explanatory comments and tracked changes throughout
• Feedback on plot inconsistencies, character development, narrative flow, pacing, structure, and content
• Identification of sections that are unclear, underdeveloped, or in need of revision
• Suggestions that respect your vision and voice while improving the manuscript's overall effectiveness
• Copyediting included as part of the developmental editing process

Benefits of Using a Developmental Editor

Most writers find it very difficult to evaluate their own manuscripts objectively. When you've spent months or years with the same material, structural problems that would be immediately apparent to a reader become invisible. A professional developmental editor brings the objective, expert perspective your manuscript needs before it goes to copyediting, submission, or publication.

The benefits of professional developmental editing include:

• Expert genre-specific guidance on structure, plot, character development, and pacing
• A fresh, objective perspective on your work's strengths and weaknesses
• Professional insights that help elevate your writing and storytelling
• Collaborative feedback that respects your creative vision while enhancing your work
• Publication-ready preparation that increases your chances of success with agents, publishers, or readers

Why Choose Editor World's Developmental Editing Services?

Editor World connects writers with experienced developmental editors who understand your genre and your publishing goals. Every editor on the platform has passed a stringent credentials review and skills test. You choose your own editor based on their verified credentials, subject expertise, and ratings from previous clients, and you can communicate directly with your editor throughout the process via the platform's internal messaging system.

Editor World's developmental editing services are trusted by professional authors, independent writers, and academics worldwide. Our clients give editors an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and Editor World holds a Better Business Bureau A+ rating.

Our developmental editing services are also fully customizable to your needs. Reach out to one of our developmental editors with any questions or to arrange a free initial consultation before you commit.

Things to Consider Before You Begin

• Choose an editor with experience in your genre. Feel free to request a consultation or ask questions before you submit. You and your manuscript deserve an editor who is the right fit.
• Keep an open mind. It can be challenging to receive detailed feedback on work you've invested a great deal in. Trusting a professional perspective can help your manuscript become everything you hope it to be.
• Be prepared to rewrite. Developmental editing often surfaces significant revision opportunities. Rewriting is a normal and important part of the writing process, not a sign that something is wrong with your work.
• Remember that you are the author. Your editor's job is to help you tell the story you want to tell, not to impose their own vision on your work.

How It Works

1. Register for an Editor World client account.
2. Browse and select a developmental editor with experience in your genre, using verified credentials and client ratings to guide your choice.
3. Submit your manuscript with word count, turnaround time, and detailed instructions for your editor.
4. Complete payment via Stripe's secure payment processing system.
5. Work with your editor through the developmental process, communicating directly via the platform's messaging system.
6. Download your edited manuscript and revision notes from the Documents section of your Client Console.

Client Testimonials

"I am totally satisfied with the detailed observation of the editor and the many comments given for the development of the paper."
— Lobsang

"I received my paper back and WriteAid went way above and beyond. She asked questions that had me going back to do additional research and make revisions that I knew without a doubt my law professor would have taken off points. Great work! She has the skillset to edit any paper, regardless of the discipline."
— Cecilia

Get a Quote

Use the instant price calculator on our website to get an exact quote for your manuscript before you commit. Enter your word count and select your turnaround time to see the total cost with no hidden fees. Register today and take the next step toward a publication-ready manuscript.