When and How to Hire a Developmental Editor
Looking to hire a developmental editor? Read about my services here.
You’ve written a book with hopes of getting it published—either self-published or the traditional route. What should your next step be? Hiring an editor? Maybe.
No author truly goes it alone: every writer relies on editors, beta readers, critique partners, and even family and friends to help get their manuscript in shape. Assembling your team and your support system is an important step to completing your book and preparing it for publication.
But when should you hire a freelancer for book editing?
Do you need a full developmental edit or a manuscript evaluation?
How much does a developmental editor cost?
Let’s dive in.
What Does a Developmental Editor Do?
A developmental editor is the first editor your manuscript will see.
We help shape your manuscript into the book YOU, the author, wants to write and wants to exist in the world.
Developmental editors serve your vision for the book. They identify and offer revision suggestions on your manuscript’s structure, plot, characterization, pacing, worldbuilding, and much more.
A great developmental editor should…
Suggest ways to improve your story structure, helping you create better moments of suspense, tension, and narrative drive.
Identify cause-and-effect chains and ensure there is a pay-off.
Help clarify moments that may be confusing to the reader and take them out of the immersive experience of your story.
Leave plenty of marginal comments and create an editorial letter addressing plot, pacing, characterization, theme, clarity, and much more.
Developmental editors analyze your book from the first line to the last line, identifying issues and providing suggestions to help you revise. Developmental editing should come before line editing, copyediting, and proofreading since you may have to begin a series of rewrites.
Do I Need to Hire a Developmental Editor?
How many rounds of self-edits can you go before you can’t make heads or tails of your story anymore? I’d wager you might read it through five to six times before words start losing all meaning.
A good developmental editor will save you time—a scarce resource—by identifying what works, what doesn’t, and suggesting ways to strengthen scenes, characters, and the overarching narrative.
Yes, you could absolutely benefit from hiring a developmental editor. Especially, if you’re not entirely sure you’ve filled all the plot holes, whether characters have completed their arcs, or whether the worldbuilding is solid.
When Should I Hire a Developmental Editor?
Most developmental editors will work with authors once their manuscript is completed. But you may find some that will work with you in pieces or as you complete your novel—however, that crosses more into book coaching.
It’s worth asking a potential editor what their process is and what state they typically accept manuscripts.
When I work with authors, I help them with their completed manuscripts—early drafts or drafts that have already gotten reader feedback from beta readers or family and friends.
How Much Does a Developmental Editor Cost?
The cost of a developmental editor depends on the state of your manuscript, the scope of work, and their experience.
There’s typically an average range, according to the Editor’s Freelance Association (EFA), between $0.03-$0.039/per word or $46-50/per hour when talking fiction developmental editing.
Prices range below and above the EFA’s range. Just make sure you vet your editor before deciding who to work with.
Should I Get an Editorial Assessment First?
An editorial assessment is a service offered by many developmental editors where they evaluate the big-picture elements of your manuscript, including plot, structure, theme, characterization, and worldbuilding.
An editorial assessment is sometimes called a manuscript evaluation or a novel assessment. I call this service a manuscript evaluation. These services will summarize what works and what doesn’t in a detailed editorial letter.
This type of service is perfect for a writer who isn’t sure if they need a full developmental edit or if they’re going to query traditional publishers.
And finally…
No matter what your next step is, celebrate how far you’ve come. You’ve finished writing your book!
Few see the end of their novels.
The fact that you’re here, reading this blog, and thinking about your next steps is proof of how far you’ve come and all of your hard work.
Work with Me
Would we be a good fit?
Work with me if you want:
To receive a thorough analysis of what works, what doesn’t, and detailed feedback and suggestions on how to take your book to the next level
Your characters to feel real to your readers
Your book to read the way you want it to, sending a message to your readers in the way you intend
To have personalized help and support during the book editing process
Want to hop on a discovery call? Set up a call or fill out my contact form if calls just aren’t your thing.