LET'S MAKE YOUR MANUSCRIPT SHINE
"As soon as I saw Lisa's developmental edit of my document, I knew she was as invested as I am in making my story shine. Her insights helped bring out the best of my story."
-Addison Lea, Romance Author
Why Developmental Editing?
You have a completed manuscript and you know it still needs some work, but you're not sure what needs to be fixed and/or how to fix it.
That's where developmental editing comes in.
A developmental edit will look for big picture issues – plot, pacing, characterization, setting, etc. – and make sure everything is working coherently and effectively to tell the story you want to tell. This phase of revisions is best done after you've made the story as strong as you can on your own but before you perfect your prose and edit for grammar – there’s not much point in spending time on prose and grammar just yet if you might need to change entire scenes or chapters.
My job is to help you tell the story you want to tell. We’ll work together to ensure I have a solid understanding of your story, and then I’ll make suggestions to help you get there. My goal is to not only help you improve this manuscript but to help you improve your writing skills overall and gain greater confidence as a writer, bringing you one step closer to published author.
Editing Services
I offer two levels of editorial feedback - a manuscript evaluation and a deep-dive developmental edit. Check out the details of each below to determine which level might be best for you, and feel free to contact me with any questions or if you're not sure which would be right for you.
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION
A manuscript evaluation is a big-picture overview of your story and the issues that need attention. An evaluation includes a thorough assessment of the issues I see, why these aspects are not working, and the steps you can take to improve these within your manuscript.
What's included:
✅ A detailed revision letter explaining the areas that need improvement and explanations of how you can improve these within the manuscript
✅ Inline comments on your first chapter to help guide you further and give some examples of how you can make suggested changes
✅ Follow-up feedback on up to 10 revised manuscript pages of your choosing
✅ Additional resources I feel might be helpful for you in understanding the concerns with your manuscript and how to fix them (where applicable)
A manuscript evaluation is a great option for writers who:
✨ Want professional feedback on their manuscript but may not have the budget for an in-depth edit
✨ Are more experienced with the revisions process and just want an overall analysis of the aspects that aren't working in their manuscript
✨ Are able to take more general feedback and guidance and apply it to specific instances within their manuscript
Your Investment: $0.01 per word
DEEP-DIVE DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT
A deep-dive developmental edit takes a manuscript evaluation one step further. A developmental edit includes a comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript and the areas that are not working, why those aspects are causing issues, and a thorough roadmap for how to revise to address these concerns.
What's included:
✅ A detailed revision letter reviewing the big picture of your manuscript, including areas of strength and areas for improvement, and guidance for your revision, so you’ll know exactly what you need to do to fix the areas of concern outlined
✅ In-manuscript comments to help you see exactly what is and isn’t working along with specific recommendations for how to improve these instances, so you won’t be left wondering what to do with the feedback you receive
✅ Follow-up feedback on up to 25 revised manuscript pages of your choosing
✅ Additional resources I feel might be helpful for you in understanding the concerns with your manuscript and how to fix them (where applicable)
A deep-dive developmental edit is great for writers who:
✨ Want thorough professional feedback on their entire manuscript and specific, tailored guidance on how to revise concerns identified
✨ Have struggled to apply general feedback gained from critique partners or beta readers
✨ Are ready to take a deep-dive into their manuscript, evaluate every potential big-picture concern, and make their manuscripts as strong as they possibly can be
Your Investment: $0.018 per word
Want to Add a Coaching Call to Discuss My Feedback?
Add a coaching call to a manuscript evaluation or deep-dive developmental edit to discuss my feedback in greater detail, ask questions, and/or discuss a plan for revision.
Your investment: $100
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
1. Contact me or book a free call to discuss your manuscript and which editing service would be right for you
2. Send me your first chapter and a synopsis so I can get a feel for your work and ensure I'm the right fit to help you improve your manuscript
3. Pick a date to begin and put down a deposit to secure your spot
4. Complete a questionnaire to help me understand your vision for your story and your goals as a writer
WHAT DO OTHERS HAVE TO SAY?
[Lisa] made it very easy and comfortable for this nervous first-time author! I had already revised my manuscript and gotten outside feedback from beta readers, but it needed a professional eye. As soon as I saw Lisa’s developmental edit of my document, I knew she was as invested as I am in making my story shine. She carefully went through the entire manuscript, offering detailed feedback and suggestions, calling out inconsistencies and plot holes, and helping me weed out sections that didn’t serve the story. Through the entire manuscript, the quality of Lisa’s feedback never once wavered. Her insights helped bring out the best of my story, and she was so kind throughout the entire process. And then, in addition to her edit of the entire manuscript, she reviewed 25 revised pages, which was a great opportunity for me to make sure that I was on the right track with my revisions. I would very highly recommend Lisa, and I look forward to working with her on future projects!
Addison Lea
Lisa is an outstanding developmental editor. I’m astonished by her talent of seeing details and the big picture at the same time in a project of this magnitude. Not only does she give her opinion for content changes, but she takes the time to provide ideas as well, going the extra mile. I could tell how much she cared about my book and feel I have the best possible first step in my publishing process. She has set me up for success.
C. D'Angelo
Lisa has a great eye for what makes a manuscript work: tension, conflict, pacing, character arc...you name it. She gave specific feedback and suggestions in places where something wasn't working, all with a positive, helpful approach. In addition to her in-line notes, she provided a multi-page developmental edit summary. Highly recommend working with Lisa!
Jen Craven
Lisa helped me identify the parts of my manuscript that weren't working, and offered great advice for how to rework them. She gave me big picture feedback, as well as smaller pieces of advice for specific areas that were confusing, inconsistent with the characters' personalities, or unnecessary to the story. She also shared invaluable resources with me that will help further my knowledge about the craft.
Molly McCarthy
Frequently Asked Questions
A developmental edit takes a critique one significant step further by offering professional, comprehensive feedback on your manuscript and then offering suggestions and guidance for how to resolve the issues identified. As opposed to a critique in which your partner offers their thoughts but leaves it up to you to figure out how to address any concerns raised, a developmental edit offers education about how to improve the issues as well as a roadmap to revision with a comprehensive revision letter.
I specialize in editing women's fiction, romance, and contemporary fiction.
It's important to me that we are both on the same page about your vision for your story and feel confident about our partnership. When you reach out to inquire about my editing services, I'll ask you to send over your first chapter and a synopsis and/or query letter to give me an overview of your story. This will allow me to assess if I feel confident in my ability to help you strengthen your story. I also encourage you to ask any questions you might have about my experience and how I work so you feel confident in your decision to hire me.
I am professionally trained and certified in developmental editing through Club Ed. While it is not a requirement for a developmental editor to obtain certification, pursuing education and certification was important to me to ensure my clients can feel confident in my ability to provide a professional and quality edit of their manuscripts.
I require a $300 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot on my calendar. Half of the remaining balance will be due upon sending me the manuscript, and the final balance is due prior to receiving your completed edit.
For a standard length manuscript (between 70,000 to 90,000 words), a manuscript evaluation will take 3 weeks and a deep-dive developmental edit will take 5 weeks to complete. If your manuscript falls outside of this word count range, contact me to discuss how long either service would take to complete.
I'M READY TO INVEST IN MY MANUSCRIPT!
GREAT! CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS YOUR MANUSCRIPT AND BOOK YOUR SPOT!
