Getting you ready for publication.

It All Starts With Developmental Editing

Holy shit! You wrote a book.

You did the thing! And now that it exists and you’ve revised it relentlessly on your own (and most likely with the help of a few beta readers), it’s time for the first phase in the professional editing process, developmental editing (also known as substantive/structural editing).

“The person who probably had the most input in this novel would undoubtedly be my developmental editor, Gabby Goodloe. Your ideas, suggestions, and advice have shaped a very rough piece into something I am proud of. Thank you.”— Lena Locksley, Of Dreams and Nightmares

What is developmental editing?

This phase of editing focuses on story elements (pacing, character development, interiority, themes, conflict, plot, etc.). All of the integral ingredients that, when combined together, create a reading experience that leaves your audience cursing your name for not having published your next book already (authors might be a little sadistic).

In short, developmental editing’s core role is to focus on the heart of your manuscript, the big picture. The nature of this type of editing also means that this phase of editing is the most intensive, thorough, and (in my opinion) the most fun.

Editing Magic

Unlock the captivating essence of your book and enhance your storytelling abilites.

Manuscript Evaluation - Starts at $.02/word

A great budget-friendly option for any author looking for essential feedback that focuses on the bigger picture. This service offers a faster turnaround time and a comprehensive editorial letter.

Developmental Edit - Starts at $.05/word

The ultimate story service. A developmental edit is for any author looking to get insight on a micro and macro level. This service includes direct comments on your manuscript, an editorial letter, and a one-hour follow-up call to discuss the feedback, ask and answer questions, and brainstorm new ideas.

What to know…

  • All editing services include an in-depth editorial letter. Regardless of which service you select, I provide feedback on all of the important story elements (character development, plot, pacing, etc.), especially anything that stands out during the edit. Every letter is unique and created with the utmost care and attention to detail for the overall benefit of the story and the author. To give context to new clients, my shortest editorial letter to date has been roughly fourteen pages. The length of these letters is not a reflection on the quality of the manuscript, only the level of material to cover and a digestible editing plan to help ensure your success in the self-editing stages to follow.

  • I offer free sample edits for all prospective clients to help ensure that my editing style fits your needs, and that we are the right fit for each other. Editing can be a life-long partnership and I want every author I work with to feel comfortable and confident in the work we will achieve together.

 FAQs

  • All payments are sent via invoice where you can easily pay via card or bank transfer.

  • Developmental editing is the most intensive phase of editing and that is reflected in the average turnaround time. An exact turnaround time is provided in the proposal that I send you with your sample edit, but you can expect a turnaround time between 6-8 weeks.

  • My background is in the romance genre. I have taken on a nonromance project before in the past, but this is a rare situation as I only offer my services in the event that I feel confident in my ability to provide quality feedback and support.

  • I make no physical changes to your manuscript. My comments on your manuscript are simply to highlight suggestions, share my thoughts, and often, to share in the joy of your writing. You are in full control of your story and any changes that you wish to make are up to you.

  • To get the most out of your developmental edit, I strongly encourage all authors to seek out external feedback from beta readers and critique partners in the hopes that you will send me the cleanest draft possible. I would also encourage you to have a list of any elements of your story that you feel need special attention to help ensure that we don’t miss any of your concerns when reviewing the feedback together.

  • My editing services are priced for one pass-through of your manuscript. I do offer the option for a second pass-through after edits have been made for an additional fee. This would include another contract that we can discuss after the first project is complete.