Developmental Editing
Get your book or short story in shape for submission to agents and publishers.
Enroll in Course
Developmental editing will help you revise your manuscript before sending it out to agents and publishers. You may purchase developmental editing for your novel, novella, or memoir. Every package includes:
- A letter addressing the global aspects of your fiction, including areas of strength, questions for consideration, and suggestions for revision
- Assessment of the major elements of narrative craft in your work, including characterization, setting and description, plot, dialogue, point of view, and voice
- In-line editorial notes
- Line edits for the first fifty pages*
Full-length novel and memoir packages also include:
- A 75-minute video consultation
- Identification of overused words and phrases to help you streamline your story
- A detailed pacing report to analyze momentum and narrative flow
*Many editors charge separately for developmental and line editing. Although I have tried working that way, I instinctively line edit when I read a manuscript. Even with a well-structured story and a terrific narrative, a book will fall flat if the sentences aren't clean and clear. That's why all of my developmental editing packages include line edits for the first fifty pages at no additional charge.
Feedback Timetable
First Fifty Pages Critique - two weeks
Novella and short memoir (up to 45,000 words) - three weeks
Full-length novels and memoirs (60,000 words+) - six weeks
How Developmental Editing Works
After submitting your manuscript, you will receive in-line edits and margin notes, handwritten on the manuscript. (This can be done in Word if you prefer, but handwritten notes are recommended to make line editing more clear and efficient).
You will receive a PDF of the marked-up manuscript and an editorial letter.
The editorial letter will address global aspects of your novel and will include suggestions on how to focus your revision. The length of your letter will depend upon manuscript length.
- Novella or partial manuscript: 4-5 pages
- Manuscripts of of 60,000 - 100,000 words: 8-12 pages
This package does not include feedback on your revision. If you would like feedback on your revision, please let me know at the time of purchase.
How to Submit Your Work
- Please use the "contact" button to inquire about availability before purchasing a developmental editing package.
- Please submit your manuscript as a Word document.
- Please double space your manuscript.
- Please use a font of 12-point or 14-point Times New Roman, Georgia, or Garamond (for readability).
Finding the Right Fit
For more information on the different types of editing, read the editors and editing page on the website of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. The information is relevant for any genre. You can also find more information on editing rates here.
Returning students discount
- Students who have completed Novel in 9 or Novel in 5 receive a 15% discount on all book editing packages.
- Students who have completed Master the Short Story or the Flash Fiction Intensive receive a 15% discount on story editing.
- Private coaching clients who have completed three coaching sessions receive a 10% discount on all editing packages.
Payment plans are available on all packages.
Your Instructor
Michelle Richmond is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels and two award-winning story collections. Her books have been published in 31 languages and optioned repeatedly for film and television. She has taught in the Masters of Fine Arts programs in creative writing at the University of San Francisco and California College of the Arts and has served as Distinguished Visiting Writer at St. Mary's College of Moraga, Bowling Green State University, and Notre Dame de Namur University. She has also designed and taught novel writing courses online for Stanford Continuing Studies. She is the founder and publisher of Fiction Attic Press.