Developmental Editing
Reader-focused developmental editing for romance, romantasy, and fantasy manuscripts, designed to help your draft make sense and fall into place without reshaping your voice or vision.
You might be here because something in your story feels off.
Not obviously wrong. Things are happening. The story is there.
But it’s not quite landing the way you hoped.
You might be circling the same chapters, trying to fix it.
Adding more. Changing things.
But nothing quite clicks.
And at a certain point, it stops being about effort.
It becomes about seeing what’s actually happening underneath.
This is where an outside perspective changes things.
Not by rewriting your story for you, but by helping you see what’s already there more clearly.
So you’re not guessing anymore. You’re working with intention.
What You’ll Receive
- Full manuscript read
- In-line comments throughout your manuscript
- Developmental editorial report
- 14-day follow-up window for questions and clarification
Focused Feedback On
- Character arcs and development
- Pacing, tension, and emotional payoff
Together, these give you big-picture, developmental feedback focused on helping your story feel clearer, stronger, and more intentional on the page. You’ll come away with a clearer sense of what’s already working, what may need strengthening, and where to focus next — so you can move forward without feeling like you have to fix everything at once.
“Elin’s feedback and comments were amazing! She caught a lot of stuff that I hadn’t noticed. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone I know looking for an editor.”
Arya Walton
“I’m working on the book and I love your comments. They’re helping me so much to bring the book to life. I’m absolutely loving this stage.”
Marla C.
Who You’re Working With
I’ve written and published five novels of my own, and since then have edited over 20 romance and romantasy manuscripts — both for my own clients and as a developmental editor for a self-publishing agency. Romance and romantasy are my specialty, and I work across fantasy more widely too, including urban fantasy.
Pricing & Turnaround
$0.03 per word
Final pricing is calculated from your manuscript’s exact word count. Here’s what that looks like across typical lengths:
Up to 50k words
~$1,500
3–4 weeks
50k–80k words
~$1,950
4–5 weeks
80k–100k words
~$2,700
5–6 weeks
100k–120k words
~$3,300
6–7 weeks
120k+ words
Scales at $0.03/word
Custom, 7+ weeks
If you’re working toward a deadline, feel free to mention it when you reach out — rush projects are sometimes possible depending on availability, and may include an additional fee.
I take on a limited number of projects each month so I can give each story the time and attention it deserves. Availability can vary depending on manuscript length and timing.
A 30% non-refundable deposit secures your place in my schedule. The remaining balance is due once the work is complete and before final deliverables are shared. If it feels helpful to spread the cost, payment plans are available for larger projects — you’re always welcome to mention this when you enquire.
Not sure this is the right fit yet? I offer a short Sample Edit & Feedback on up to 3,000 words, so you can see how I read before committing to the full project.
If your story is close, but something still isn’t quite clicking, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Tell me a little about your manuscript, and we’ll look at what might be holding it back.
Apply for Developmental EditingHow The Process Works
1. You Reach Out & We Confirm Scope
Share a little about your manuscript — genre, word count, and where you are in the process — so we can confirm the right pricing tier and timeline together. This service is designed for completed or near-complete romance and romantasy novels. A 30% deposit then secures your place in my schedule.
2. You Send Your Manuscript & I Get To Work
Once your deposit is in, you’ll send over your full manuscript. I read it closely as both an editor and a reader, offering in-line comments that show what’s already working and where things may feel unclear, uneven, or not quite landing yet — with small teaching moments along the way so you can carry that clarity into your own writing. The aim isn’t to overwhelm you with changes, but to help you see how the pieces come together more intentionally.
3. You Receive Your Report & Support Window
After you receive your feedback, you’ll have a 14-day window to ask follow-up questions by email as you read through it and start to process what it means for your story. This space is there for clarity and understanding — it doesn’t include additional editing or ongoing revision support, but if you find you’d like more guidance, there are options for that too.
Quick FAQ
What kind of feedback do you provide?
Developmental editing looks closely at how your story is working on the page. I provide in-line comments throughout the manuscript alongside a detailed editorial letter, focused on character motivations and development, pacing and tension within scenes, plot structure and narrative flow, emotional beats and payoff, and clarity of stakes and conflict. You’ll receive specific, scene-level suggestions to help you strengthen the manuscript during revision. This service focuses on story and structure rather than grammar, proofreading, or copyediting.
What’s the difference between Manuscript Feedback and Developmental Editing?
Manuscript Feedback provides a big-picture overview of your story in an editorial letter. Developmental Editing is more detailed — it includes comments directly throughout the manuscript, along with an editorial letter explaining the feedback and suggesting ways to strengthen scenes, characters, and story structure. Think of Manuscript Feedback as an overview, while Developmental Editing offers hands-on guidance as you revise.
Is follow-up support included?
Yes. After you receive your feedback, you’ll have a 14-day support window where you’re welcome to ask clarifying questions by email.
Why do you require a non-refundable deposit?
The deposit secures dedicated time for your manuscript and allows me to plan my schedule thoughtfully. Writing timelines can shift, so if something unexpected comes up, I’m always happy to discuss rescheduling when possible. The remaining balance is due once the work is complete and before deliverables are sent.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, payment plans are available for most services. I understand that this kind of work is an investment, so you’re very welcome to ask about splitting the cost when you reach out — see how payment plans work for the details. We can figure out something that feels manageable before booking, so you can move forward without added pressure.
Ready when you are.
Apply for Developmental Editing