I offer both developmental editing and manuscript evaluations, which are similar. A developmental edit is more in-depth.

Both services are often done for completed manuscripts. But I do also offer them if you need insight and feedback on a partially completed work before you're ready to continue with it.

Here's the general process:

1. First, I'll talk with you to get an idea of what your work is about, what your goals are for your work and as an author, your expectations for editing, what's important to you about your story, what you feel are your strengths and struggles as a writer, specific concerns or questions you may have about your manuscript, etc. I'll also explain my process and what I can offer as an editor to help you reach your goals. This conversation could either be a scheduled video call or an email conversation, whichever you are more comfortable with.

2. If we agree to move forward, I will sign a non-disclosure agreement that protects your work, and start with a free sample edit of the beginning of the work, providing in-text comments and a short summary of patterns I'm seeing with suggestions. As a developmental editor, my focus is on the big picture elements of stories, such as story structure, characterization, and pacing. Developmental editing will be more in-depth than an evaluation.

3. After you receive the sample edit, we can go over your questions and thoughts about it.

4. If we decide to work together on a full evaluation or developmental edit, we'll both sign a service agreement and statement of work that protects your work and specifies the services, payment terms, and the timetable for completion of services.

5. To begin on the edit or evaluation, I will do an initial pass, leaving comments as I go: reader reactions, questions about the author's intentions, feedback, and suggestions. These comments will not all be final, since what I find later in the story may change my understanding of the characters, story world, and what kind of set-ups and developments need to happen for a good payoff.

6. I'll take some time to ponder the story and make notes of ideas for analysis, suggestions, and what's working well.

7. I will do another pass of the manuscript now that I can see the whole story. I'll tweak comments to make them more clear and useful to the author. I'll add or change suggestions now that I know where the story is going. I'll continue to take notes on ideas that can't be contained in the comments.

8. If I'm doing a developmental edit, I will create a book map, which lists the events and important elements of each scene. Seeing the whole story condensed in this way will provide more insight into elements like structure, direction, internal consistency, pacing, and character arcs.

9. I will do more passes as needed to finish tying things up and make sure I've touched on all the important points. A developmental edit will require more passes than an evaluation.

10. I'll write an editorial letter going over my analysis of the manuscript, major points of what I see working well, and suggestions for changes and adjustments that could help you more strongly engage with your audience. I will also address specific questions you had and provide ideas for next steps toward your publication goals. The letter for a developmental edit will be more in-depth than for a manuscript evaluation.

11. I will send you a copy of your original manuscript, a marked-up copy of the manuscript, the editorial letter, and for developmental edits, the book map.

12. After you take some time to go over the materials, we can discuss ideas for next steps, your questions, and thoughts.

13. After you've sent me a pass of your revisions, I will go over them and provide feedback.

14. If you would like my input on further revisions, we can negotiate a new contract for this additional service.