Analysing The BIG PICTURE For A Better Story
Developmental editing investment starts from $0.039 per word for fiction and $0.049 per word for nonfiction.
You wouldn’t build a house on unstable ground, and you shouldn’t pour your best prose into a manuscript with shaky foundations, either. Developmental editing will shore up the essential elements of your story: premise, plot, character, themes– so you can best convey your book’s meaning and appeal to your readers.
Developmental Editing Is PERFECT For You If:
you’ve already revised your draft
Developmental editing is most helpful when you’re working with a later draft (think third or fifth rather than first).
you want to save time & stress later
Discovering a plot hole during a final proofread is soul-destroying! Developmental editing will shore up your story foundation so you can avoid the late-stage plot nightmare.
you want to appeal to your reader
Developmental editing keeps your target reader front of mind so we can identify how effectively your work will appeal to them.
What’s INCLUDED In Your Investment?
full editorial report
I’ll prepare a detailed analysis of the strengths and areas for development in your manuscript, with clear examples and actionable recommendations.
ongoing email support
I’m always at the other end of an email, and am happy to answer questions or discuss the work as we move through the project.
manuscript annotations
I’ll add commentary, prompt questions and examples to your manuscript through Word or Google Docs.
optional phone or video conference
If you’re more of a face-to-face (or ear-to-ear) person, we can meet via phone or video conference to discuss the parameters and progress of the project.
actionable recommendations
I’m big on quality feedback. That means clear recommendations you’ll understand how to implement.
up to three rounds of revisions
I’m happy to review and provide further editorial feedback on any revisions you make for up to three rounds.
How It WORKS
01. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
I want to hear all the details, including your vision and goals for the work, your timeline & anything else I need to consider.
02. SEND ME YOUR MANUSCRIPT
I’ll get to work annotating your manuscript and preparing a detailed editorial report outlining my recommendations.
03. RETURN YOUR REVISIONS
I’ll provide further feedback on up to three rounds of revisions.
What WRITERS Are Saying
Rebecca went above and beyond editing my manuscript. My story was handled with the utmost love & care! I would highly recommend Rabble of Bees Editorial.
GUrpreet kaur sidhu
Rabble of Bees Editorial will surpass your expectations! Rebecca is top-notch and will work efficiently, diligently, and endlessly to meet your needs and beyond.
amie abraham
It was my first time writing, and Rebecca walked me through the process start to finish; it was amazing. My manuscript improved significantly and so did my knowledge of this industry.
aliyah hastings
Frequently Asked QUESTIONS
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In developmental editing we analyse the “big picture” elements of your story (e.g. premise, plot, theme, character) and identify ways to strengthen the manuscript and you make any revisions to the text; in book doctoring, I’ll make revisions for you.
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I will provide further editorial feedback on revisions for up to three rounds.
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Nope. Ultimately, any changes made are at the writer’s discretion.
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If you’re not a Microsoft Word person, fear not! I also use Google Suite programs to mark up manuscripts, so we can work with whatever is easiest for you.
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The editorial report will outline my assessment of your manuscript: what works really well, what could stand to be developed, and how you can go about making improvements. It will address all of the “big picture” elements we’ve been talking about: premise, plot, theme, characterisation, etc., and how effectively these elements are working. I’ll provide examples and recommended reading as necessary.
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Your writing can be the most lyrical, gorgeously evocative work going, but if your book lacks a sturdy foundation, all your beautiful art won’t be able to save it. That’s why it’s absolutely worth taking the time to shore up the foundational elements of your book: the overarching premise and themes, the way plot and subplots develop, how the characters are drawn. Get these things right, and the rest, as they say, takes care of itself. (And: you can then spend as long as you like shining up that beautiful prose of yours!)
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Yes, where this is relevant and helpful.
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If you want further support with making revisions to your manuscript, I’d suggest taking a look at book doctoring, which is a mash-up of developmental editing and ghostwriting that might be perfect for what you need!
Ready To BEGIN?
Fill out an inquiry form, below, and I’ll be in touch to set up a sample edit and/or introductory meeting to discuss your project in more detail.
