What is a Developmental Editor?

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When authors finish their first book, I get the same questions: “What’s next for my book?” And, “Writing a book is harder than I thought! Can someone help me?”

Both questions can be answered by a developmental editor. Having an editor coach you through writing your first draft can be incredible! But it’s also one of the more expensive things you can hire an editor for. Let’s look at the ins and outs so you can decide for yourself what is right for you.

What do they do?

First, developmental editors work specifically on the story in your book. They don’t care about spelling or grammar, though having your book formatted properly is necessary for ease of editing. The key emphasis is really on the story itself and characters when you giving the manuscript over. Bear in mind, the easier it is to read, the more likely it is that they can help you.

A developmental edit should be about two things. Taking your draft to the next level, and making sure that readers will be satisfied with the book when they’re done so they come back to you for your next release.

When focusing on the draft, they’ll look at the plot and character arcs and whether or not they work. A draft that works means its complete, as in has a clear beginning middle and end and that it fulfills reader expectations. If it does, then the editor will work with you to take it the next level. If it doesn’t, then they’ll show how to get it there.

A good developmental editor will take all of your hard work and tear it to shreds. In the nicest way possible. Then, they’ll provide you with a blueprint to write it again, even better than before, but still completely yours. This doesn’t always mean a full rewrite, it’s often individual scenes, adding or deleting scenes and would fall more under a revision than a rewrite, though both are possible.

Once you see results—how polished and finely-tuned your story has become—you’ll realize the cost is well worth it. And the more work you put in before you send it to the editor, the more impressive the end result will be. If you know there are issues with your story you can fix in a rewrite, do that before you book an editor to assist you. They’ll end up telling you to fix what you already knew was wrong, which is a waste of everyone’s time. If you know it’s wrong, but aren’t sure how to fix it, let them know when you talk to them during your consultation, so they can be on the lookout for solutions before they even start reading.

If they rip it apart and don’t help you figure out how to rebuild, they haven’t read your genre enough, and none of their advice can be trusted. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this happen to more than one author, where the editor didn’t actually know the target market of the book and would have done irreparable harm if the author had followed their advice. Moral of the story? Be careful, and come prepared to ask questions and give details to your consultation.

What won’t they do?

Developmental editors won’t rewrite the story for you nor will they give you straight-up praise for your brilliance. The truth is, all stories can be improved, and it’s the editor’s job to help you figure out how. It doesn’t mean your story is crap, it means they did what you hired them for.

They also won’t change your story into something you never intended it to be. If they try, their editorial pen may be too heavy-handed for the task. Remember, ultimately, the changes and decisions regarding your story are up to you and you alone. No one can force you to make changes you don’t want. It’s a fine line to walk between listening to the professionals we hire and staying true to the story we tell. But I have faith in you.

How much does it cost?

Hiring an editor to coach you through the drafting process can cost anywhere from $600 to $10k+ a month. That’s a lot of cash to lay down, so you need to be in love with the idea of writing and publishing this book. The editor will help you navigate through the story development in a way that is effective and that will make the job less daunting for you, the writer. They’re not going to do the writing for you, though—that’s a ghost writer, and well, they cost more.

I know editors who will work on a project as long as you’d like, but you can ask for more structure and give yourself a deadline. Work with the editor to ensure it’s realistic for a first draft, and be willing to reassess as you move forward and through the process. After taking on clients with the belief that they’d get to the end on their own, in their own time, I began developing a program to get clients through the first draft quickly, in six months to a year. This keeps costs down for the writer and allows me time to plan and get new clients into my schedule.

Now a developmental edit on a finished draft, if you can get there, can cost anywhere from $1200 USD to $30k USD. And you are paying them this much to rip your draft to shreds AND to tell you how to stitch it back together in the best way for the reader. I say, “They’re telling you how,” but it’s more like a guide. They can’t make creative choices for you. Providing a variety of options for the writer is crucial. They’re needed to get the writer’s ideas flowing freely—not necessarily to use in the story. You know your story, and you, ultimately, know what’s best for it.

This is also why I offer a one-hour, post-edit Zoom call to all of my clients, which is included in the edit. Sometimes, you need a good, old-fashioned brainstorming session to get things sorted out, and having someone who knows your genre there to bounce ideas off of can help you increase your rewrite speed. I also offer coaching through the rewrite if that’s something you think you need.

To get the most out of a developmental edit:

• Make your manuscript is the best it can be before you send it to the editor.

• Make sure the individual has worked in or has the proper knowledge of your genre.

Developmental editors can…

• Help you improve your storytelling

• Coach you through the draft or rewrite

• Help you understand your readers and how to keep them happy and coming back for more

Developmental editors don’t…

• Care about grammar or punctuation

• Rewrite your book for you

• Change your story into theirs

One last thing. Many people will opt to use a critique partner or beta/alpha readers instead of paying an editor. Many editors even started out being betas/alpha readers. This can be a cost-effective solution, but you get what you pay for.

Not all betas know your genre or can tell you what’s missing—just that something is. You may also find people fall off the face of the earth, never to be seen or heard from again, as soon as you have a deadline to keep. Paying a professional can help you avoid these headaches and other pitfalls, but first, confirm they are professional. I’ve seen more than a few posts about editors ghosting people, which is unacceptable. You should always be able to reach your editor, and I highly recommend a call or Zoom meeting to speak to them prior to hiring them. It is mutually beneficial; it helps them as well as yourself, because you’re not the only one who can be ghosted.

I still have a few opening is early 2026, if you’re ready to take the next steps and work with a developmental editor, now is a great time. I have special pricing through March!