Your story matters. Let’s make it great.
Developmental editing isn’t just catching errors.
It’s about empowering you to create the best book possible.
I offer three types of editing services: developmental editing, manuscript evaluations, & outline critiques.
Developmental Editing
You get detailed feedback on every element of your manuscript, tailored to your genre and unique story vision to ensure that your story has a strong structure, a thrilling plot, engaging characters, and immersive world building.
That feedback is delivered in three ways:
1) Detailed comments on your manuscript provide clarity and actionable advice for revising each scene in your manuscript.
You’ll receive comments addressing the following fiction elements:
Characterization
Character arcs
Worldbuilding
Scene dynamics
Transitions
Plot structure
Conflict development
Genre conventions
Marketability
And more!
2) An editorial letter provides detailed analysis of your manuscript’s strengths, areas for growth, and a strategic plan for improving your story.
You get clear guidance on what is working and what needs work in your story along with a step-by-step revision plan that describes next steps and recommended resources for taking your writing to the next level.
You’ll also get a synopsis of your manuscript and a premise statement that you can use in your marketing or querying materials.
3) A book map provides a visual overview of your novel’s structure and summarizes high-level revision suggestions.
You get clear, easily digestible information on each scene including conflict, narrative drive, story structure benchmarks, character development, and subplots.
You’ll also get helpful manuscript stats such as scene and chapter lengths relative to the entire manuscript and the percentage narrated by each POV character.
But that’s not all!
Each developmental edit comes with the following bonuses:
Bonus #1: A critique of your blurb & advertising copy OR query letter & synopsis (up t0 10 pages).
Bonus #2: A 60-minute Zoom call for you to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and finalize your revision plan.
Bonus #3: Discounts on future editing or coaching services for life!
Developmental editing is perfect for you if…
…you want readers, agents, and/or publishers to love your story but aren’t sure which changes will get your story ready for publication
…you’re comfortable making significant changes to improve your manuscript
…you want to create an excellent book and are willing to put in the work to get there
…you want to skip the years of classes and critique groups it would take to revise your manuscript on your own
Sound like you?
Scroll down and request your free sample edit & quote today!
Your investment = $.032/word or less.
All prices shown are USD.
Learn more about my pricing here.
Ready for feedback that will move your writing forward?
Featured Testimonial
Leslye Penelope, Award Winning Fantasy Author
Olivia's feedback has been so helpful as I navigate the revision process. Her keen eye and insightful comments shine a light on areas for improvement that I hadn't even considered, helping me to take my work to the next level. What sets Olivia apart is her ability to provide constructive criticism while maintaining a positive and encouraging tone. She not only offers specific suggestions on how to strengthen my writing craft but also celebrates the strengths of my story. Working with her is an absolute pleasure. Learn more about Leslye’s work here: lpenelope.com.
Manuscript Evaluations
You get high level, actionable feedback on the core elements of your manuscript to guide you through the next stage of your revision.
Feedback is delivered in two ways:
1) A detailed editorial letter describing what works and what needs work in your manuscript along with a suggested revision plan and recommended resources for taking your story to the next level.
My feedback is tailored to your genre and vision for the story. Fiction elements addressed can include:
Characterization
Character arcs
Worldbuilding
Scene dynamics
Transitions
Plot structure
Conflict development
Genre conventions
Marketability
And more!
2) A book map that provides a visual overview of your novel’s structure and summarizes high-level revision suggestions.
You get clear, easily digestible information on each scene including conflict, narrative drive, story structure benchmarks, character development, and subplots. I’ll also include scene-by-scene revision suggestions that give you actionable next steps for your revisions.
You’ll also get helpful manuscript stats such as scene and chapter lengths relative to the entire manuscript and the percentage narrated by each POV character.
3) A 60-minute Zoom call for you to ask questions, brainstorm, and finalize your revision plan.
This follow-up call is your chance to dive deeper into my feedback and solidify your plan for making your manuscript the best it can be.
A manuscript evaluation is perfect for you if…
…you’re an experienced author with a fairly clean manuscript who wants a second pair of eyes on your story before you begin line-level editing
…you’re working with a rough, rough draft or partial manuscript that’s not ready for developmental editing but you need help before you can move forward
…you’re a writer on a budget who knows the value of developmental feedback but can’t afford a full developmental edit right now
…you’ve made significant changes after a previous manuscript evaluation or developmental edit and want feedback on the success of your revisions
Sound like you?
Scroll down and request your free sample edit & quote today!
Your investment = $.012/word or less.
All prices shown are USD.
Learn more about my pricing here.
Ready to get started?
Great! Fill out a sample edit request form to receive a free 10-page sample edit & project quote.
Outline Critique
You get actionable feedback on your novel’s outline (up to 6,500 words) and personalized recommendations for the next steps in your writing process.
Feedback is delivered in two ways:
1) Detailed comments on your entire outline that address:
Plot
Story Structure
Character Arcs
Conflict
a.k.a. the story elements that are essential to hooking readers on page one and turning them into superfans by the end!
2) Summary comments that describe what’s working, what needs work, and recommended next steps.
In addition to summarizing my feedback, I also make specific recommendations for resources that you can use as you draft or revise your story.
Bonus: You also have the option to add on a follow-up coaching call at a discounted rate. Your chance to pick my brain, troubleshoot plot problems, and get help to strategize your writing process.
An outline critique is perfect for you if…
…you have an outline for a novel and want to make sure it’s solid before you draft.
…you have a messy first draft and want targeted feedback on your story structure before you revise.
…you feel like something’s missing in your story, but you have no idea what
…you’re looking for affordable, focused feedback that will streamline your drafting or revision process.
Your investment = $97.
All prices shown are USD.
Sound like you?
Scroll down and book your outline critique today!
Plot critiques are administered via Thrivecart—once you purchase, you’ll receive instructions for formatting and submitting your outline.
Pricing
Pricing designed for epic writers.
Whether you write fantasy, science-fiction, or historical fiction, you know that it takes a lot of words to immerse your readers in a new world.
You also know that feedback is essential to making sure that your world comes alive on the page. That’s why I designed a pricing structure that keeps editing accessible even at epic-length word counts.
Here’s how it works:
Your first 50,000 words are charged at my base rate of $0.032 per word.
Then, the price drops to $0.016 per word for the next 50,000 words.
Then, it drops to $0.012 per word for the 100,000 words after that.
Then, it drops again 100,000 words later. And again 100,000 words after that.
Here’s an example:
Toni invests in developmental editing for her 150,000 word manuscript.
If I charged every word at the same rate, Toni would pay 150,000*.032 = $4,800
But with me as her editor, the calculation looks like this: (50,000 x .032) + (50,000 x .016) + (50,000 x .012) = $3,000.
Toni saves $1,800 compared to working with a different editor.
Why price this way?
Simple. It’s less work to edit one 140,000 word book than it is to edit two separate 70,000 word books. If it doesn’t take twice as long to edit a 140k book, why should it cost twice as much?
Many editors with a single per word rate specialize in genres with shorter word counts, but I’m here for the doorstopper epics, the expansive new worlds, and globe shattering conflicts. I’m not the cheapest editor out there (and trust me, you wouldn’t want me anywhere near your work if I was) but I do want to be as accessible as possible to as many writers as possible.
Looking for more information?
My prices are informed by the information provided in the Editorial Freelancer’s Association rate chart. You can view the chart and learn more about editorial rates here.
Want to know exactly how much it will cost to get feedback on your book?
Request your sample edit today!
Featured Testimonial
I was astonished by the amount of work Olivia put into the developmental edit of my book. She provided an enormous number of in-text notes, a dense editorial letter, and a comprehensive bookmap, all of which were extremely useful as I approached my second draft. I found her feedback to be exactly what I was looking for-- it was encouraging and critical. She illuminated areas where the book could be improved and provided concrete suggestions for how to approach revisions. It always felt purposeful and connected to the story I was trying to tell. And perhaps even more importantly, Olivia helped me see the places where the book was working and could be pushed further. Writing a novel is such a daunting task, it really helped to receive professional optimism and genuine enthusiasm for my story. As I work on my next revision I have her notes open and at the ready. I find that they keep me focused on the task at hand-- one that I'm sure will result in a better book.
