Developmental Edits
Congrats! You’ve finished your manuscript.
Now, let’s dig into the narrative.
You know you’re ready to get a developmental edit if…
You have a finished draft of your book
You’ve done some self-editing
You know there’s complexity in your big-picture elements and you want to make sure they’re as clear to the reader as they are to you
You’ve gotten as much as you can out of the feedback from your friends and family
When you work with me, you’ll get insights from an industry expert.
A developmental edit includes:
Margin notes throughout your manuscript
These notes will pinpoint areas that are creating bumps in your story, be that underdeveloped characters or uneven pacing, among other things.
A one-to-five-page editorial letter
The editorial letter summarizes key focus areas for your next draft with specific suggestions for improvement.
A final call
Our final call is to discuss how to implement the suggestions from the edit and to strategize your next steps.
Love from past members
“Liz worked fast, offered fantastic advice on query letter content, and gave insight and resources to demystify the process for this first-time author. Liz was gracious and generous with her time, easy to understand, and friendly. She went beyond my expectations, was enthusiastic and encouraging about the project, and gave me recommendations for selecting the right agent. Overall, a fantastic value offered. You will be in good hands with this experienced writer and editor.”
Vicky G.
“Liz tore right into my draft proposal. I thought I was close to done! Well, if you want that sort of feedback probably best to avoid an editor in the first place. Liz did some basic clean up on areas that were pretty good and made me totally reconceptualize the overview and marketing strategy. I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but now the proposal is so much more focused and geared toward agents' desires.”
Stephen D.
There are four steps in our collaboration.
A kick-off call to assess goals
A meeting to outline timeline & key milestones
Clear communication throughout service delivery and meetings at key milestones
An offboarding call to share notes and review next steps
Each element of your book should work together to serve the heart of your story.
By working with a professional editor, you’ll receive targeted feedback that makes sure your story delivers the complexity you know is there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I invest in an editor?
Hiring an editor is one of the best investments you can make in your own work. Not only do professional editors approach your work from an informed and experienced standpoint, but they also focus exclusively on you, which is a rarity even for authors who frequent workshops and writing groups.
When should I hire an editor?
When you have a finished manuscript or proposal that you’re ready to query with or when you’re stuck and looking for a fresh perspective.
When should I hire a book coach?
When you are feeling stuck in your writing practice and are unsure of how to reach the next step of your career.
What should I have ready to get the most out of working together?
I find that writers who have thought critically about their manuscript and have a list of areas where they are looking for feedback get the most out of editorial reviews. If you would like to have conversations about querying and publishing, it’s helpful to have an idea about where you think your book would succeed, what genre you are writing in, and what authors’ careers you admire.
Will working with you guarantee me an agent/publisher?
No. While I pride myself on guiding my clients with up-to-date industry knowledge, whether or not a book is picked for publication is a subjective process that requires multiple people (agents, editors, publishers) to invest in your project.
How long will an edit take?
Typically, four to six weeks.
Meet Liz, your editor.
I’m an editor, writer, reader, and teacher based in Manhattan. When I don’t have my nose in a book, you’ll find me cooking, gardening, or watching music documentaries.
I’ve learned how fun—and how challenging—it can be to transfer the idea in your head to a finished book on the shelf. I adore that messy process. And I strive to make it less intimidating and more enjoyable for writers.
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