Developmental Editing Cost

Gary Smailes | 2 November 2025

What You’re Paying For in a Developmental Edit

You are not buying commas. You are buying clarity and a plan. A developmental edit tackles the spine of the book, then hands you a roadmap for revision. Grammar waits its turn.

Big-picture focus

A strong developmental edit targets the work beneath the sentences.

• Structure. Does the order support momentum and meaning.
• Plot or argument. Clear cause and effect in fiction. Logical progression in nonfiction.
• Character or thesis arc. Desire, conflict, change. For nonfiction, a problem-to-solution journey.
• Pacing. Entrances, exits, and scene density that keep pages turning.
• Theme. Signals and echoes that build a cohesive point.
• Market fit. Genre promises delivered at the right length for the shelf.

Quick test:

• Write the book’s promise in one line.
• Mark where that promise arrives, deepens, and pays off.
• If a chapter or scene does not move the promise, reassign or remove.

Anecdote. A thriller reached my desk with a twist on page 60 and a drag from page 120 to 220. We moved a reveal, cut two subplots, and re-sequenced three chapters. Same voice. New engine.

Typical deliverables

Know what you receive for your fee. Most packages include some mix of the following.

• Editorial letter, 5 to 20 pages. High-level diagnosis, specific examples, and a numbered plan. Clear priorities in order of impact.
• Margin comments in the manuscript. Scene goals, logic checks, stakes, and guidance on where to escalate or trim.
• Revision roadmap. A spreadsheet or checklist that turns feedback into actions, grouped by structure, character or argument, pacing, then prose.
• Debrief call. Forty-five to sixty minutes to align on priorities, risks, and timelines. Expect straight talk and next steps.

Some editors add a book map or beat sheet. Some provide chapter-by-chapter summaries with outcome lines. Ask for samples.

Scope options that change price

Price follows scope. Define the level of depth before you sign.

• Letter only. No margin notes. Best for an early draft or a high-level gut check.
• Letter plus in-manuscript notes. Deeper guidance on where to cut, merge, seed, or escalate.
• Two-pass edit. Full developmental pass, a revision period, then a targeted recheck of addressed changes.
• Ongoing coaching. Month-by-month goals, chapter reviews, and calls. Suits writers who want support through a full revision cycle.

Each step up adds hours and thought. More depth, higher fee, longer timeline.

Clarify boundaries

Developmental editing differs from other levels. Mixing levels inflates scope and cost.

• Line editing. Rhythm, voice consistency, sentence flow, and clarity on the line. Same scenes, cleaner delivery.
• Copyediting. Grammar, usage, spelling, and consistency with a style guide. Term tracking and light queries.
• Proofreading. Final pass for typos and layout slips after typesetting.

A common pain point. Writers request a structural overhaul and expect sentence polish across 90,000 words. That equals two services. Pick the stage you need right now. Structural work first. Polishing later.

How editors work under the hood

Time goes into reading, note-taking, and mapping cause and effect. Editors build timelines, track arcs, and test alternatives. Expect suggestions, not rewrites. The draft remains yours. The plan supports your goals.

Two examples:

• Fiction. A dual-POV romance with mismatched beats. Guidance focuses on repositioning turning points so both arcs crest together, adjusting heat signals in early chapters, and trimming a friend subplot that steals stage time.
• Nonfiction. A leadership book with tangled frameworks. Guidance focuses on a single throughline, chapter outcomes stated up front, case studies placed where decisions happen, and a recap toolkit to cement learning.

Action step

List must-have deliverables and a realistic timeline before you request quotes.

• Deliverables. Letter length target, margin notes yes or no, roadmap yes or no, debrief call length, second pass yes or no.
• Materials to share. Word count, genre or category, comps, goals for the edit, and pain points.
• Timeline. Desired start date, due date, and any blackout periods on your side.

Send that brief to editors. Clear scope leads to accurate pricing and fewer surprises. You pay for focused expertise, a tested lens on structure, and a plan you can execute without guesswork.

Pricing Models and Realistic Ranges

You pay for time, attention, and judgment. Editors package those hours in a few common ways. Pick the one that serves your draft and your budget.

Per-word pricing

This is the default for full-length manuscripts. The range runs roughly $0.02 to $0.08 per word, with higher rates for complex projects or extra passes. The math stays simple, and the cost scales with length.

Example budgets for an 80,000-word novel:

• At $0.03 per word ≈ $2,400
• At $0.05 per word ≈ $4,000
• Two-pass deep edits often reach $0.06 to $0.10 per word, which lands in the $4,800 to $8,000 range

Notes:

• A tighter manuscript lowers cost. Trimming 10,000 words at $0.05 per word saves $500.
• Per-word works best when scope is clear. Letter only versus letter plus notes yields different totals.

Per-project packages

Packages quote a flat number for a defined scope. You know the bill before work starts. Expect clear deliverables, page limits for letters, and a set number of calls. Many full-length packages land between $1,500 and $7,000, with higher prices for research-heavy nonfiction or multiple rounds.

Good fit for writers who want certainty, not a meter running in the background. Ask what triggers extra fees. Ask how many revision questions the editor fields after delivery.

Hourly or day rates

Some editors price by the hour, often $50 to $120. Day rates show up in the UK more often, around £300 to £500 per day. This model suits coaching, manuscript assessments with fuzzy scope, or a rolling chapter-by-chapter partnership.

Protect yourself with a cap and checkpoints. Agree on deliverables tied to hours. For coaching, set an agenda for each call and a goal for the next one.

Market variations

A few factors push rates north or south.

• Genre and complexity. Nonfiction with citations, argument frameworks, and case studies trends higher. Epic fantasy with multiple POVs, timelines, and lore also climbs.
• Geography. Editors in the US, Canada, and the UK often price above global averages. Editors in other regions might price lower. Experience still rules.
• Career stage. Early-career editors often post lower rates. Seasoned editors with waitlists often post higher rates. Samples and references matter more than labels.

Extras and modifiers

These fees are common. Plan for them.

• Rush fee. Tight deadlines usually add 15 to 30 percent. Faster work means fewer open slots on the editor’s calendar, so a premium applies.
• Pre-outline or proposal support. Outlining from scratch, building a book map before a draft, or shaping a proposal adds hours and increases cost.
• Added calls. Extra Zoom sessions, longer debriefs, or interim check-ins raise the total.
• Pilot or sample-chapter edit. Some editors offer a paid sample on the opening chapter. Expect a short letter and a handful of margin notes. Useful for testing fit before a full booking.

Quick budget snapshots

Use these as ballparks, not quotes.

• 60,000-word memoir, one-pass letter plus margin notes, at $0.04 per word. Roughly $2,400.
• 90,000-word fantasy, two-pass development with a post-revision review, at $0.07 per word. Roughly $6,300.
• 55,000-word business book with case studies, flat package including a 12-page letter, notes, and a 60-minute call. $4,000 to $6,000, depending on research and charts.
• Coaching plan. Four monthly calls, prep and follow-up, plus feedback on 5,000 words per month. At $100 per hour and two hours per month, about $200 monthly, plus reading time if billed.

How editors land on a number

Behind each quote sits an estimate of hours. Reading, mapping structure, writing the letter, line-by-line notes, and the call. Two variables move the needle fastest. Word count and depth of deliverables. A second pass adds real time. So does a dense draft with many subplots or a thesis in flux.

If a quote feels high, ask for a lighter scope. For example, letter only instead of letter plus notes. Or a partial on the first 40 pages plus outline before a full pass. Trim words before you request a quote, not after.

Action step

Ask each editor to price two options so you can compare value per dollar.

• Option A. One-pass editorial assessment. An editorial letter only, with a page-length target and a short debrief call.
• Option B. Full developmental edit. Letter plus in-manuscript notes, a revision roadmap, and a debrief call. Specify whether a second pass is included.

Use this email starter:

• “Here is a 75,000-word upmarket novel. I am seeking either a one-pass assessment with a 10 to 15 page letter, or a full developmental edit with margin notes, a roadmap, and a 60-minute call. Please quote both. If helpful, I can share a synopsis and the first chapter.”

Two prices, same project. You see how scope shifts cost, and where you get the most return for your budget.

What Drives Cost Up or Down

Quotes come from hours. Hours come from scope and difficulty. Here is what moves the number.

Length and density

Word count drives price more than any other factor. More words, more hours. Simple.

Density also matters. A lean 80,000-word thriller reads faster than an 80,000-word history with footnotes, charts, and quotations. Tight sentences, clear scene goals, and clean paragraphing speed the read. Meandering scenes and heavy exposition slow it down.

Quick math: trimming 10,000 words at $0.05 per word saves $500. Trim before requesting quotes, not after.

Mini-exercise:

• Reverse outline one chapter. Write the purpose of each scene in one line.
• Delete one scene with no purpose.
• Cut three sentences from every page.

Manuscript readiness

Editors do two jobs. Diagnose problems, then propose fixes. If the story or argument holds together, diagnosis runs faster. If plot holes, a missing midpoint, or a fuzzy thesis show up, analysis expands. Expect more pages in the editorial letter, more examples, and a deeper revision roadmap.

Two 70,000-word novels:

• Novel A has a clear protagonist goal, an escalation, and a payoff. The letter focuses on sharpening stakes and trimming subplots.
• Novel B has three POVs with no single drive, sagging middle chapters, and a twist that undercuts earlier scenes. The letter maps a new structure and flags scenes to cut or combine.

Guess which one takes longer. You feel the difference on the invoice.

Pre-flight checks to raise readiness:

• Write a one-page synopsis in present tense. If the spine wobbles, fix the spine first.
• Track each POV on a timeline. One arc per line. Gaps reveal themselves.
• Highlight repeated beats. Pick the best version. Delete the duplicates.
• Label chapter turns: goal, conflict, consequence. No turn, no chapter.

Deliverable depth

More deliverables, more hours. An editorial letter only is one pass with a memo. Add margin comments, and the editor reads at paragraph level, leaving examples and queries. Add a book map or a scene list, and you buy a second layer of analysis.

A rough spread, for context, not a quote:

• Letter only: read, analyze, write a 6 to 15 page memo.
• Letter plus margin notes: all of the above, plus inline comments on setup, beats, and logic.
• Letter, notes, and revision plan: all of the above, plus a prioritized task list and a chapter-by-chapter roadmap.

Pick depth based on your revision style. Some writers love a long letter. Others need examples in the margins to see the fix.

Number of passes

A second pass is a new round of work. The editor reads the revision, checks how changes landed, and resolves any fresh issues. Expect a shorter follow-up letter or a targeted memo, yet the reading still takes time.

Typical flow:

• Pass one: full read, full letter, margin notes.
• Revision window: you rewrite across four to eight weeks.
• Pass two: focused read on altered sections, short memo, quick call.

Added value is real. Cost is real too. If budget is tight, ask for a lighter follow-up, such as notes on the first third, or a one-hour check-in after you revise three sample chapters.

Genre and complexity

Some genres ask for more analysis by design. Multiple POVs, braided timelines, heavy worldbuilding, or extensive citations expand scope.

Examples:

• Epic fantasy, 120,000 words, five POVs, a map, and lore. Expect more hours to track rules and continuity.
• Narrative nonfiction with interviews and endnotes. Expect time on structure, sourcing, and permissions triage.
• Upmarket romance, 75,000 words, dual POV, linear timeline. Usually faster.

Match editor experience to your genre. A strong fantasy editor reads for continuity in magic systems. A strong business editor reads for argument and case-study flow. Better fit, fewer false starts.

Timeline

Speed costs. Rush schedules compress reading, thinking, and feedback into fewer calendar days, which pushes other work aside. Most editors add 15 to 30 percent for rush jobs.

Ways to avoid rush fees:

• Book early. Ask for a slot two to three months out.
• Stagger delivery. Send an outline now and the full draft later. Or send in halves with a buffer week between.
• Build revision time into the plan. Fewer fire drills, calmer notes, better work.

Add-ons not usually included

Several adjacent services sit outside developmental editing. Budget for them separately if needed.

• Sensitivity reads: genre, identity, or culture-specific review by a specialist.
• Indexing: a separate discipline, usually for nonfiction, priced per page.
• Permissions: securing rights for quotes, images, or lyrics.
• Fact-checking: source verification, data checks, and notes review.
• Copyediting and proofreading: later stages focused on language and typos.

Ask for referrals or separate quotes. Folding everything into one agreement muddies scope and raises cost.

Quick ways to lower cost before you ask for quotes

Do the work only you can do first. Structure is author work. Words on the page come cheaper once the spine holds.

• Reverse outline the whole book. One line per scene or section. Cut or combine where the outline drifts.
• Tighten openings and endings for every chapter. Start late, leave early.
• Kill pet tangents. If a section proves no theme or arc, delete.
• Standardize citations or source notes before sharing. Clean inputs save hours.
• Trim 10 percent. Future you will send flowers.

Action step

Revise for structure before requesting quotes. Do a reverse outline, delete redundancies, and shore up the spine. Then share a synopsis, an outline, and a clean word count. You will receive tighter scopes, faster timelines, and prices that reflect the work you truly need.

Scoping Your Project and Comparing Quotes

Editors price time. You price outcomes. A tight brief and clean samples make both sides smarter and kinder to your budget.

Build a clear brief

Put this in a single page. Bullet points win.

• Genre and category. Example: adult fantasy, memoir, business nonfiction.
• Audience. Who buys and why.
• Word count. Round to the nearest thousand.
• Comps. Two to three recent books with a sentence on fit.
• Goals. Agent submission, self-pub launch, or proof of concept.
• Pain points. Where you feel lost. Middle sag. Stakes. Voice drift.
• Publishing path. Trad or self-pub. Timeline for each.
• Non-negotiables. Elements you will not change. Elements open to change.
• Success metric. What a good edit will improve.

Example brief snippet:

• Genre: upmarket women’s fiction
• Audience: book club readers, 30–55
• Word count: 92,000
• Comps: The Paper Palace for tone, Little Fires Everywhere for structure
• Goal: query agents in six months
• Pain points: slow middle, unclear stakes for the mom character
• Path: trad, wants a query-ready draft by June
• Non-negotiables: keep dual POV
• Success: clearer arc for the mom, tighter middle, stronger chapter endings

Provide context materials that earn an accurate quote

Send three pieces, tidy and focused.

• Synopsis, 1 to 2 pages, present tense. Start with the hook. Cover the full arc, spoilers included.
• Chapter outline, one line per chapter. Note POV, location, and the turn.
• First 1 to 3 chapters. If nonfiction, include a table of contents and a paragraph on each part.

File hygiene helps. Use double spacing, .docx, standard font. Label files with your last name, project title, and date. Include an exact word count on page one of the synopsis.

Optional, yet helpful:

• Reverse outline or scene list.
• A brief note on research volume, endnotes, or images for nonfiction.

Ask for apples-to-apples proposals

Invite two scopes if you want a range. An editorial assessment only. A full developmental edit. Then compare depth per dollar.

Spell out what you want in each quote:

• Deliverables. Editorial letter length, margin comments, book map, revision plan, calls included.
• Number of passes. One pass or a follow-up read on revised sections.
• Turnaround. Start date, milestones, and delivery date.
• Pricing model. Per word, per project, or hourly. Note triggers for extra fees, such as overage on word count or added calls.

A good proposal removes mystery. You should see exactly what you will receive and when.

Try a small paid sample or pilot

A sample shows fit faster than a résumé. Ask for a read of 1,000 to 2,000 words or the opening chapter. Request two pieces back. A brief mini letter with top issues. A page of margin notes to show style.

Keep it paid. Set a clear scope, fee, and deadline. Many editors credit this fee if you book the full project. Ask.

Template request:

• Scope: read 1,500 words from chapter one
• Deliverables: 1 page of overall notes, 10 to 20 margin comments
• Fee: $75 to $200, credited if we proceed
• Turnaround: five business days

Use the sample to judge clarity, tone, and usefulness. Do you feel seen. Do the notes help you revise a page right away.

Vet the editor

Look past rates. Look for fit.

• Genre track record. Titles in your lane. Links help.
• Testimonials with specifics. Problem, approach, result.
• Professional memberships. EFA, CIEP, ACES, or similar.
• Communication style. Clear emails. Direct answers. Reasonable boundaries.
• Availability. Realistic schedule, not a promise made to please you today.

Questions for a quick call:

• What problems do you see in my materials.
• How would you approach revision here.
• What does your editorial letter include.
• How many calls do you include, and when.
• What feedback do writers struggle with in this genre.
• How do you handle scope creep or a longer draft than quoted.

You are hiring a thought partner. Mutual respect matters as much as skill.

Lock down the contract

A short, clear agreement saves headaches. You want these items.

• Scope. Word count cap, deliverables, number of passes, calls included, file format.
• Milestones. Start date, delivery dates for letter and notes, call dates.
• Revision window. Time you have to apply notes before a second pass.
• Fees. Total price, payment plan, due dates, rush fees, overage rates for extra words or meetings.
• Cancellation terms. Notice required, kill fee, refund rules.
• Confidentiality. Mutual, including permission rules for using your project as a sample.
• Rights and credits. You own the work. Editor may request a credit line only with your blessing.

Common payment plan: 30 to 50 percent to book, a mid-project payment, balance on delivery. For large projects, ask for monthly installments tied to milestones.

Build a simple comparison sheet

Put everything in one view so patterns pop. A spreadsheet works well.

Columns to include:

• Editor name and website
• Genre fit notes
• Scope summary
• Deliverables list
• Letter length target
• Margin comments, yes or no
• Number of passes
• Calls included and length
• Start date and delivery range
• Word count cap and overage rate
• Price and pricing model
• Rush fee policy
• Add-ons offered
• Sample edit fit score, 1 to 5
• Communication score, 1 to 5
• Gut check notes

Weigh depth of feedback against price and timeline. A lower quote with thin deliverables often costs more later. A higher quote with clear milestones and a strong second pass might save a full round of rework.

Action step: draft your brief, pull together the synopsis, outline, and opening, then send three inquiry emails. Ask each editor for the same scope and materials. Fill your comparison sheet. Sleep on it. Pick the editor who shows understanding of your book and offers a plan you trust.

Budget-Smart Alternatives and Cost Controls

Developmental work costs money. Smart scoping keeps quality high and spend sane. Here are practical ways to stretch dollars without starving the edit.

Manuscript assessment or editorial letter

Think of an assessment as a diagnostic. Big picture only. No margin comments.

What you get:

• A 5 to 12 page letter on structure, stakes, pacing, POV, and market fit
• A revision roadmap with next steps
• Option for a short debrief call

Good use cases:

• Early draft needs direction
• You want a clear plan before a heavier investment
• You need an outside view on premise and scope

Price range: $500 to $2,000+. Ask about letter length, a call, and delivery date.

Mini example:

• 85,000-word novel
• Fee: $1,200
• Deliverables: 9-page letter, 45-minute call
• Timeline: three weeks

Tip: book during a revision break. Read the letter once. Take a walk. Read again with a highlighter. Build a to-do list by theme, not by chapter.

Partial developmental edit

Focus on the opening 30 to 50 pages plus an outline or table of contents. The opening sets reader expectations. Voice, promise, stakes, and scene mechanics all show up there.

What you get:

• Margin notes on those pages
• A short letter on global issues spotted through the sample
• Notes on the outline, with gaps and redundancies flagged

Price range: $600 to $1,500+. Useful before a full pass.

How to leverage:

• Apply notes to three later chapters, not only the opening
• Update the outline based on structural calls from the letter
• Send a brief summary of changes to confirm direction before you continue

Pilot scope template:

• Pages: first 40 pages and a one-page synopsis
• Deliverables: 2 pages of notes, 30 to 50 margin comments, 30-minute call
• Fee: $900
• Turnaround: two weeks

Coaching and consults

Steady feedback in smaller bites spreads cost and lifts momentum.

Typical formats:

• Monthly call with homework and checkpoints
• Chapter-by-chapter reviews on a schedule
• Outline build with check-ins before drafting

Rates: hourly $50 to $120, or fixed monthly packages.

To get value:

• Send an agenda before each call
• Track weekly goals in a shared doc
• Ask for a standing list of priorities for the next month

Sample cadence:

• Week 1, outline review and goals
• Weeks 2 and 3, two chapters per week with brief notes
• Week 4, call to assess progress and reset plan

Watch scope creep. Agree on word-count limits per month and firm boundaries for off-hours questions.

Early-career editors

Strong early-career editors often offer lower rates under mentorship.

How to vet:

• Request a short paid sample with margin notes and a half-page summary
• Ask about supervision, coursework, or agency or house internships
• Read testimonials for specifics, not fluff
• Clarify schedule and response times

Reasonable ask:

• Discounted pilot on the opening chapter
• Clear deliverables, clear deadlines
• A credit of the pilot fee if a full engagement follows

Tradeoff: lower price, slower pace. Offset with a focused scope and check-ins.

University and community options

Editing and publishing programs, arts councils, and writing centers sometimes place supervised editors. Quality varies, so build a test.

Checklist:

• Short paid trial with a firm brief
• Supervisor on copy, even light-touch
• Defined scope, page limit, and letter length
• Calendar awareness for breaks and exam periods

Where to look:

• University writing centers with publishing tracks
• Local arts councils with mentorship programs
• Professional forums with trainee sections

Expect professional behavior. Ask for contracts and clear timelines, even for student-led work.

Prepare to save before hiring

Prep work reduces hours on the editor’s side. Fewer hours, lower cost.

Do this first:

• Reverse outline. One line per scene or chapter with purpose, turn, and word count
• Cut filler scenes. If a scene lacks a turn, remove or combine
• Track POV, timeline, and setting. Note slips and overlaps
• Audit stakes. Write one sentence of consequence per chapter
• Cull redundant beats and repeated backstory
• Tighten chapter openings and exits for momentum
• Flag research-heavy sections and gather sources in one folder

Quick checklist to finish this prep:

• Trim 10 to 15 percent word count where bloat shows
• One-sentence summary for every chapter
• Color-coded POV map on one page
• Clean table of contents with page ranges
• Updated synopsis with real spoilers

Send this kit with your inquiry. Quotes get sharper and scope stays clean.

Payment strategies

Money flow matters. Structure payments to match progress.

Options to discuss:

• Installments tied to milestones rather than one lump sum
• Staged deliverables. Assessment first, then a targeted pass, then a light check
• Credit from a sample or pilot when booking the larger engagement
• A discount for a bundle across phases

Example payment plan:

• Deposit 40 percent to reserve dates
• Midpoint payment on delivery of the editorial letter
• Balance on handoff of margin notes and the debrief call

Ask for a line in the contract for overage on word count and added calls. Clear math avoids friction.

A phased plan that respects budget and timeline

Here is a simple model you can tailor.

Phase 1, Assessment

• Fee: $900 to $1,800
• Deliverables: 6 to 10 page letter, 45-minute call
• Duration: 2 to 3 weeks

Phase 2, Author revision

• Fee: $0
• Deliverables: updated outline, tracked changes summary
• Duration: 4 to 8 weeks

Phase 3, Targeted developmental pass

• Scope: first 60 pages plus outline, or three key problem areas
• Fee: $800 to $1,600
• Deliverables: margin notes, 2 to 4 page memo, 30-minute call
• Duration: 2 weeks

Phase 4, Line edit or prose polish

• Scope and fee set after Phase 3 results
• Duration depends on word count and schedule

This ladder keeps feedback flowing and spend controlled. Each step informs the next, so no money goes toward guesswork.

Action step: sketch a two- or four-phase plan on a single page. Add dates, target fees, and deliverables for each phase. Send that plan with your inquiry and ask for a quote for each step plus a bundle price. You will get cleaner proposals, better scheduling, and a path that supports both your book and your wallet.

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