How Much Does A Developmental Editor Cost In The Us

Gary Smailes | 3 November 2025

What you're paying for in a developmental edit

Developmental editing tackles the foundation of your book. You are not buying comma fixes or sentence polish. You are investing in the architecture that makes readers turn pages and remember what they read.

Big-picture craft work

A developmental editor maps the bones of your story or argument. For fiction, that means examining structure, plot progression, pacing, character arcs, point of view consistency, stakes escalation, theme development, and the overall reader journey. For nonfiction, the focus shifts to argument flow, chapter scaffolding, learning outcomes, case study alignment, and the transformation you promise readers.

Think of it this way. Line editors smooth the prose. Copyeditors catch typos and fix grammar. Developmental editors ask whether your book works as a book. Does the middle sag. Do characters change in believable ways. Does your nonfiction deliver on its promise. Will readers finish satisfied or confused.

The work sits at the story level, not the sentence level. An editor might flag a scene that drags or a chapter that repeats earlier points, but they won't rewrite your paragraphs. They diagnose problems with pacing, motivation, logic, and payoff. Then they hand you a map for fixing those problems yourself.

What lands in your inbox

Most developmental edits include several core pieces.

Editorial letter. This runs several pages and covers the big picture. Expect sections on structure, character development or argument clarity, pacing issues, stakes or takeaway strength, and a prioritized revision plan. The best letters explain why something isn't working and offer specific strategies for improvement.

Margin comments on key pages. Not every page gets marked up. Editors focus on openings, turning points, climactic scenes, and endings. Comments explain how structure problems show up at the scene level. You might see notes like "Stakes unclear here" or "This chapter repeats the lesson from Chapter 3."

Scene or chapter map. A spreadsheet or chart that tracks what each section accomplishes. For fiction, this might show goal, conflict, and outcome for each scene. For nonfiction, promise, proof, and takeaway. The map reveals gaps, redundancies, and pacing problems at a glance.

Revision plan. A step-by-step guide for tackling changes. Good plans prioritize high-impact fixes and suggest an order of operations. Cut redundant scenes before adding new ones. Strengthen character motivations before polishing dialogue.

Follow-up support. Many editors include a phone call to walk through the feedback. Some offer a second look after you complete revisions. This isn't line editing on the new draft, but a check that structural changes landed as planned.

Why timing matters

Developmental editing happens early in the publishing workflow. The typical sequence runs self-revision and beta reads, then developmental edit, then line editing, then copyediting, then typesetting, then proofreading.

Paying for sentence polish before structure stabilizes wastes money and time. Imagine hiring someone to repaint a house before you finish the renovation. Beautiful sentences in a saggy middle serve no one. A copyeditor who fixes grammar in a chapter you later cut has done work you cannot use.

Developmental editing positions you for success in later rounds. Once structure works, line editors make the prose sing. Once the prose flows, copyeditors catch the final errors. Each stage builds on the previous one.

Different levels for different needs

Not every project requires the same depth of intervention.

Full developmental edit. Comprehensive analysis with detailed margin notes, extensive editorial letter, scene map, and revision plan. Best for manuscripts with significant structural issues or first-time authors learning the craft.

Manuscript assessment. A diagnostic report without in-text editing. You get the editorial letter and scene map, but no margin comments. Less expensive and faster turnaround. Good for authors who want professional insight before deciding on next steps.

Partial developmental edit. Focused analysis on problem areas. Maybe the first act needs work, or the middle section drags. The editor tackles specific sections plus provides an overall revision strategy.

Editorial coaching. A series of calls or sessions where the editor guides your self-revision process. More collaborative and often less expensive than a traditional edit.

Questions that clarify value

Before you hire anyone, pin down exactly what you receive. Ask for specifics on:

• Deliverables. Editorial letter, margin notes, scene map, revision plan, follow-up call. Request samples of each item.
• Number of passes. One read-through or multiple rounds of review.
• Format of feedback. Track Changes comments, PDF annotations, separate documents, spreadsheets.
• Communication included. Email questions, phone calls, revision check-ins.
• Timeline for each piece. When does the letter arrive, when do you get the map, how long until the follow-up call.
• What happens if you have questions. Are clarifications included, or do they cost extra.

The value equation

Developmental editing costs more than later-stage editing because the work is more complex. An editor must hold the entire book in their head, track multiple story threads or argument branches, and diagnose problems that span chapters or acts. They need deep knowledge of genre conventions, reader expectations, and market demands.

You are paying for pattern recognition developed over years of reading manuscripts. A skilled editor spots sagging middles, weak character motivations, and unclear stakes faster than you spot typos. They know which problems matter most and which fixes will move the needle.

You are also paying for strategic thinking. Anyone with good grammar skills might catch a misplaced comma. Knowing how to restructure a three-act story or reorganize a nonfiction argument requires expertise most writers lack.

What you bring to the partnership

The best developmental edits happen when you arrive prepared. Freeze your draft before the editor starts. Compile any research, style notes, or character backgrounds that might help. Write a brief with your goals, target audience, and biggest concerns.

The editor provides expertise and outside perspective. You provide vision, voice, and final decisions. They tell you the middle section lacks tension. You decide whether to add conflict, cut scenes, or restructure the timeline.

Think of developmental editing as an investment in the foundation of your book. Get the structure right, and every subsequent edit becomes more effective. Skip this stage, and you might polish beautiful sentences that sit in chapters readers skip.

The cost reflects the complexity and importance of the work. You are not paying for simple fixes. You are paying for the expertise that transforms a rough draft into a book that works.

Typical US pricing and benchmarks

You want numbers. Here they are, with plain language and no mystery math.

Per-word rates

Most developmental edits for standard fiction and general nonfiction land between 3 and 6 cents per word. The broader market runs from 2 cents on the low side to 10 cents or higher for complex projects or star editors in high demand.

What that means in practice:

• 60,000 words at $0.04 equals $2,400.
• 80,000 words at $0.04 equals $3,200.
• 100,000 words at $0.05 equals $5,000.

Per-word pricing helps you budget fast. Editors review a sample, assess complexity, then place you at a point on that range. Heavy worldbuilding, multiple points of view, research notes, or a tangled timeline tends to push the rate up.

Hourly rates

Many editors price by time for open-ended scopes. Hourly rates in the US often run $60 to $120. Niche experts and in-demand editors sit above that range.

A rough frame:

• A light developmental pass might take 25 to 40 hours.
• A full analysis with scene map, long letter, and call often takes 40 to 80 hours.
• At $90 per hour, those ranges equal $2,250 to $7,200.

If you go hourly, ask for a cap and a midpoint check. You want a range, not a surprise bill.

Flat project fees

Plenty of editors quote a flat fee after reading your sample. For an 80,000 word novel, typical packages land around $3,000 to $6,000. Research-heavy or complex books often sit in the $7,500 to $12,000 bracket.

A flat fee usually ties to specific outputs. For example, a 12 to 20 page editorial letter, margin notes on selected chapters, a scene or chapter map, a revision plan, and a follow-up call. If a second look after revisions is included, expect pricing on the higher side.

Manuscript assessments

An assessment is a diagnostic report without in-text notes. Think of it as a professional second opinion. Pricing often runs $0.01 to $0.03 per word, or $500 to $2,500 for short works and novellas.

When to choose this route:

• You want a sanity check before a full structural edit.
• You plan to do heavy self-revision and need direction.
• You write fast and want targeted notes on strengths, weak links, and next steps.

Genre and context shifts

Not all books take the same editorial muscle. Rates move with the lift.

• Business, technical, or prescriptive nonfiction tends to price higher than straightforward genre fiction.
• Memoir that involves research, family archives, legal concerns, or sensitive material often needs deeper analysis.
• Epic fantasy with large casts and layered timelines takes longer than a single POV thriller.
• Books that use citations, figures, or case studies add hours.

If your project fits any of these, expect quotes toward the higher end of each range.

Quick estimating method

Use this to ground your budget before you ask for quotes.

1. Pick a realistic per-word rate based on your genre and complexity. Standard range is $0.03 to $0.06.
2. Multiply words by rate.

Examples:

• 80,000 × $0.03 = $2,400.
• 80,000 × $0.04 = $3,200.
• 80,000 × $0.06 = $4,800.

Now sanity check with a flat-fee frame. If your number sits near the ranges above, you are in the right ballpark. If it sits far below, expect the editor to adjust after reading your pages.

Why quotes differ

Two editors read the same sample and send different numbers. That is normal. Here is what shifts the price.

• Depth of analysis. A 6 page letter is not the same as a 20 page letter plus a scene map.
• Support. A package with a call and a second look costs more than a letter alone.
• Scheduling. Rush timelines often add a premium.
• Experience. Editors with a track record in your niche price higher and often save you revision cycles.

How to get a reliable number

• Send a 2,000 to 3,000 word sample that reflects the whole book. Include a synopsis with word count.
• Ask for a written scope. Deliverables, number of passes, timeline, format of feedback, and what follow-up is included.
• Request a per-word or flat-fee quote, even if the editor works hourly. Many will translate hours into a range for planning.
• Share context. Audience, comps, goal, and your top three concerns. Clear goals help the editor right-size the work.

One last tip. Compare apples to apples. A $3,200 quote with a long letter, margin notes on five key chapters, a scene map, and a call might offer more value than a $2,800 quote with a short letter and email only. Price is one number. Scope tells you where your money goes.

What drives the cost up or down

Pricing moves with effort. Effort tracks to pages, complexity, support, and schedule. Here is how editors think about it.

Word count and density

More words equal more hours. Obvious, yes, but density matters too.

Two 80,000 word books do not ask for the same lift.

• Single POV romance with clean prose. Few subplots. Light research. Faster read. Fewer tangles to diagnose.
• Multi POV fantasy with a braided timeline. Extensive lore notes. Maps. A glossary. Slower read. More cross checks.

Same length. Different workload. Expect quotes to sit on different points in the range.

A quick frame many editors use:

• Light density, 40 to 60 pages per day.
• Heavy density, 15 to 30 pages per day.

Do the math and you see why hours shift.

Complexity factors

Complex elements add passes and cross checking.

• Timelines that jump add verification work.
• Citations, footnotes, images, and tables require tracking and consistency checks.
• Case studies and data points invite fact review and placement choices.
• Worldbuilding with rules and terms asks for a style sheet and a logic sweep.
• Nonlinear or experimental structures require scene mapping and reader journey testing.

Each element pulls time. Stack a few and the edit deepens.

Mini exercise: list every special feature in your book. Not genre. Features. Multiple POVs, legal issues, interviews, figures, epigraphs, back matter. The list predicts lift.

Level of edit

Scope sets price. A high-level assessment gives you a diagnostic letter. No in-text comments. A full developmental edit includes a long letter, margin notes on pages or chapters, a scene or chapter map, and a prioritized revision plan. Some packages include a check-in call or a second look after you revise.

More depth equals more time. If a budget is tight, start with an assessment. Use it to guide revisions, then book a deeper round later.

Number of passes and support

One read with a letter costs less than a read, a letter, a call, email support for two weeks, and a second-pass review. Coaching calls add value. They also add hours.

A common model:

• Single pass and letter, lowest price in the range.
• Pass plus call and Q&A window, mid range.
• Pass plus call, scene map, revision plan, and second look, higher range.

Ask for the support window in writing. Start and end dates help both sides.

Timeline pressure

Rush schedules cost more. Editors juggle clients, drafts, life. A squeezed timeline means nights or weekends. Expect a premium, often 20 to 50 percent. If your date is fixed, say so early. Some editors keep a rush lane open. Many do not.

Draft readiness

Clean, complete drafts move fast. Partial drafts, placeholder scenes, and open questions slow everything. Early messy versions pull the editor into triage, not structural guidance. That means more time, more notes on basics, and higher cost.

One quick test. Read three random chapters aloud. Mark every spot where you pause to fix a sentence, a name, or a continuity slip. If marks pile up, slow down and self-edit before hiring help.

Actionable ways to keep costs grounded

• Freeze the draft before handoff. No new scenes. No late outline changes. Lock it, then send it.
• Flag special elements. Citations, images, tables, interviews, legal risks. Name the tricky bits up front.
• Share your goal, audience, and comps. Add your top three concerns. Precise goals let the editor focus time where it matters most.
• Provide a representative sample of 2,000 to 3,000 words. Include a one page synopsis with word count. Samples lead to accurate quotes.
• Clarify support needs. If you want a call, a second look, or a Q&A window, say so in the brief. Scope protects your budget.
• Book early. Rushed work costs more and often delivers less headspace.

One last example for perspective. Two memoirs at 75,000 words. The first focuses on a clear arc with one timeline and minimal research. The second weaves personal history with medical studies, court records, and interviews. The first might sit near $0.03 to $0.04 per word. The second pushes toward $0.05 to $0.08 per word, or a higher flat fee. Same length on paper. Different lift in the chair.

Price signals hours. Hours follow scope. Shape the scope, and you shape the price.

Pricing models and how quotes are built

Editors price three ways: per word, per hour, or flat fee. Each model serves different projects and comfort levels. Understanding how quotes come together helps you compare apples to apples and spot red flags early.

Per-word pricing

Most common for developmental editing. Multiply your word count by the rate. Done.

Example: 75,000 words × $0.04 = $3,000.

The math stays clean, but editors adjust rates after seeing your sample pages. A straightforward romance at $0.03 per word becomes a multi-timeline literary novel at $0.05 per word. Same editor, same quality, different lift.

Per-word works well when:

• Your manuscript is complete and polished enough to sample.
• You want budget certainty up front.
• You are comparing multiple editors on the same project.

The catch: editors estimate hours to set their per-word rate. If your book proves more complex than the sample suggested, some editors absorb the difference. Others renegotiate. Ask how sample review affects the final rate before you sign.

Per-hour pricing

Less predictable but more flexible. Editors quote an hourly rate, often $60 to $120, and estimate total hours. You pay for actual time spent.

Example: "I estimate 35 to 45 hours at $85 per hour. Budget $2,975 to $3,825."

Per-hour works when:

• Your project scope is uncertain or experimental.
• You want to add or subtract services midstream.
• You trust the editor and prefer paying for actual effort.

The risk: hours creep without caps. Protect yourself with a ceiling. "Not to exceed $4,200 without written approval." Good editors welcome caps because they clarify expectations.

Track record matters here. An editor who consistently hits estimates builds trust. One who routinely runs over signals poor project management.

Flat fee pricing

Editors calculate estimated hours × rate + overhead, then quote a fixed price tied to specific deliverables. No surprises, but less flexibility.

Example: "$4,500 for full developmental edit including 8-page editorial letter, margin notes on all chapters, scene map, revision plan, and one 60-minute call."

Flat fees work when:

• You want absolute budget control.
• The scope is clear and unlikely to change.
• You prefer package deals over itemized billing.

The catch: scope creep costs extra. If you decide mid-project to add a second call or expand the scene map into a character analysis, expect a change order.

What goes into a quote

Experienced editors break down their work into visible components. Here is what they track:

Reading time: First pass for story comprehension. Editors read differently than casual readers. They track character arcs, note pacing issues, and map scene functions. Slower than reading for pleasure.

Analysis time: Diagnosing problems and prioritizing fixes. The thinking work between reading and writing feedback.

Editorial letter: The main deliverable. Letters range from 3 to 12 pages depending on complexity and editor style. Detailed letters take more time.

Margin notes: Comments on specific pages or chapters. Some editors note every chapter. Others focus on problem areas or strong examples.

Supplementary materials: Scene maps, character charts, timeline checks, or revision plans. Each adds hours.

Client communication: Email exchanges, calls, and follow-up questions. Most editors budget some communication time. Extensive hand-holding costs extra.

Second-look option: Reviewing revised chapters or providing feedback on your revision approach. Not always included.

Ask for this breakdown. Transparent editors list components and time estimates. Vague quotes hide assumptions that bite later.

Contract norms you should expect

Deposit: Usually 25 to 50 percent to start. Protects both sides and signals commitment.

Milestone payments: For large projects, payments split across phases. "50% to start, 50% on delivery" or "One-third at signing, one-third at midpoint, one-third at completion."

Revision windows: How long you have to review feedback and ask clarifying questions. Often 30 to 90 days.

Reschedule fees: Penalties for moving your deadline without notice. Usually 10 to 25 percent of project fee.

Rush fees: Premiums for compressed timelines. Typically 20 to 50 percent extra.

Kill fees: What you owe if you cancel mid-project. Often 100 percent of deposit plus costs for work completed.

Read these terms. They matter when life shifts your timeline or budget.

How to get accurate quotes

Send a representative sample. Two to three thousand words from different sections. Include your strongest and weakest chapters. Let the editor see your range.

Provide context. One-page synopsis, target audience, comparable books, and your publication goals. Context shapes editorial focus.

List special elements. Citations, images, footnotes, multiple POVs, or experimental structures. Flag complexity early.

State your timeline. Flexible dates cost less than hard deadlines.

Ask for written scope. Word count assumptions, deliverables, number of passes, and change-order policy. Written scope prevents misunderstandings.

One sample request that works:

"I am seeking a developmental edit for my 82,000-word mystery novel. Target audience is readers of Tana French and Louise Penny. I need feedback on pacing, red herrings, and character motivation. Attached are three sample chapters (2,800 words total) and a one-page synopsis. Timeline is flexible within the next four months. Please quote with your standard deliverables and let me know if you offer payment plans."

Clear briefs get better quotes. Better quotes lead to smoother projects.

Red flags in pricing

Avoid editors who:

• Quote without seeing a sample or asking about complexity.
• Refuse to itemize deliverables or estimate hours.
• Demand full payment up front.
• Guarantee specific outcomes ("Your book will be ready for agents").
• Price suspiciously low without explanation.

Trust builds over transparency. The best editors show their work, explain their process, and protect your interests with clear terms.

Budget-smart ways to afford developmental editing

You want structural help without draining the bank. Good. Here are practical paths that keep momentum high and costs honest.

Start with a manuscript assessment

Think of an assessment as a diagnostic. No margin notes, no line edits. You get a focused report on structure, character, pacing, and stakes, plus top revisions in priority order.

Why start here:

• Faster feedback loop.
• Lower price than a full edit.
• Clarity on where effort moves the needle.

Ballpark: $0.01 to $0.03 per word or $500 to $2,500+. An 80,000-word novel at $0.015 lands near $1,200.

Make it work harder:

• Ask for a one-page revision plan at the end of the report.
• Request a 30-minute call to talk through next steps.
• Use the report as your to-do list for two months, then reassess.

When writers skip this step, they often pay for chapter-level notes before fixing a premise problem. Do the premise work first.

Commission a partial developmental edit

Aim at the section causing trouble. First act. Midpoint through climax. Or the final five chapters where everything needs to land.

Why this helps:

• You fund the thinking where risk sits.
• You learn the editor’s style without paying for the whole book.
• You get a targeted revision plan tied to scenes in play.

Example package:

• Scope: 25,000 to 40,000 words.
• Deliverables: editorial letter focused on structure, margin notes on selected chapters, a scene map for the section, a prioritized plan.
• Price: words × per-word rate. Say 30,000 words at $0.045, about $1,350.

Strong move: include setup material if you want feedback on later sections. If the midpoint drags, the cause often lives in act one.

Try a coaching hybrid

Some writers prefer conversation and homework over a single large deliverable. Coaching blends reading, calls, and weekly targets.

A simple format:

• Intake review of your synopsis and two sample chapters.
• Four to six calls, 45 to 60 minutes each, spaced two weeks apart.
• Clear goals for each session. Example: “Refit the inciting incident to trigger a choice. Rewrite two scenes and bring them next time.”
• Ongoing document checklists. Premise, stakes, POV consistency, scene goals.

Pricing sits on hourly rates. If an editor charges $90 per hour and you book six hours, expect $540. Add optional reading time between calls only where it serves the goal.

Coaching works best when you thrive on accountability. If you prefer to go away for a month and rework alone, pick a different route.

Self-edit first, with intention

Every scene you tighten lowers editorial lift. Not by magic. By reducing hours.

Run this three-step tune-up:

1. Map your scenes
   • Create a simple table with columns: Chapter, Scene purpose, POV, Conflict, Outcome, Word count.
   • Fill it out for the whole book or one act.
   • Mark any scene without a purpose or change. Cut or merge.
   • Watch for ping-pong POV or repeated beats.
2. Fix known problems
   • Make a list of five issues you already know: saggy middle, flat antagonist, two subplots that do nothing.
   • Tackle them in order, two weeks per issue. Short sprints win.
3. Build a style sheet
   • Decisions in one place: character names and ages, spellings, hyphenation choices, time and place references, timeline anchors.
   • Add recurring phrases you overuse, then replace half of them.
   • Share this sheet with your editor. Fewer questions, fewer hours.

Result: a cleaner draft, tighter scope, and fewer notes on noise.

Plan ahead and avoid rush fees

Editors book out. Some months in advance. Rushed schedules cost more and strain quality.

Smart timing:

• Query two or three editors while you finish your draft. Hold a slot with a deposit.
• Leave a buffer before handoff for one last pass using your scene map.
• If you want line editing later, discuss a tentative slot but confirm only after structural revisions land. Polishing wobbly structure wastes money.

A week of planning often saves hundreds.

Use payment options and tax planning

Most US editors offer installments. Common structures:

• 40 percent to reserve the slot, 60 percent on delivery.
• One third on signing, one third at midpoint, one third on delivery.
• Monthly plans for longer projects.

Ask about options upfront. Clear payment terms remove stress and help you focus on the work.

If you file as a business, editing might qualify as a deductible expense. Ask a tax professional who knows your situation. Keep invoices and contracts in one folder.

Ask for tiered proposals

Price follows scope. Scope follows goals. Invite editors to price choices so you match spend to need.

A simple request you can paste:

“Thanks for reviewing my 82,000-word memoir sample and synopsis. I am weighing three routes. 1) Manuscript assessment with prioritized fixes. 2) Partial developmental edit on the first 35,000 words, plus a revision plan for act two. 3) Full developmental edit with an editorial letter, margin notes on selected chapters, a scene map, and one follow-up call. Please send scope, deliverables, number of passes, timeline, and pricing for each option. If payment plans are available, include those terms.”

Then compare:

• Depth of diagnosis in sample notes.
• Clarity of deliverables and timelines.
• Price relative to the lift you need right now.

A quick decision tree

• Premise wobbly or theme unclear? Start with an assessment.
• One section misfires? Order a partial with a revision plan.
• Draft solid, stakes work, but structure needs a full pass? Book the full edit.
• Stuck and craving accountability? Try coaching.

Each path moves you toward a cleaner book without paying for noise. Spend where learning and progress meet. Save where discipline and a checklist do the job.

Choosing value (not just the lowest price)

You are not buying markup. You are hiring judgment. Price matters, yes. Value lives in the fit, the thinking, and the follow-through.

Start with genre fit

An editor who knows your lane saves you months. Here is what good fit looks like across types.

• Crime or thriller. Sharp on clue placement, red herrings, and timeline logic. Knows where tension dips and why.
• Epic fantasy. Consistent world rules. Map of factions. Stakes that scale with the magic or tech. Flags timeline drift across long arcs.
• Romance. Internal and external conflict in balance. A clean beat map. Consent and intimacy handled with care.
• Memoir. Clear promise to the reader. Scope control. Ethics checks where real people appear.
• Prescriptive nonfiction. Outcome-driven structure. Learning objectives. Case studies tied to steps, not anecdotes for flavor.

Ask for recent titles in your category. Not similar vibe. Same shelf.

Quick test. Send a one-paragraph premise and two comps. A good match reflects your goals back to you. They also point to traps common in your genre and how they handle them.

Evaluate thinking, not markup

Anyone can tell you to trim 10 percent. You need diagnosis that hits cause, not symptom.

What to look for in a sample edit or letter:

• Pattern spotting. “Your scenes start late and end early, which blunts escalation.” Clear, specific, with examples.
• Prioritization. A top three. No laundry list. You want a path, not a brain dump.
• Decision logic. When they advise a structural move, you see the why. Stakes, goal, consequence, reader promise.
• Scene-level clarity. Notes that tie back to the spine. “This flashback slows the chase because the decision is already clear.”
• Respect for voice. Suggestions that keep your tone intact.

Two sample notes, compared:

Weak: “This chapter feels slow. Try cutting lines and adding action.”

Strong: “The scene stalls because the protagonist has no goal. Give them a concrete want on page one, then force a choice at the midpoint. You will not need extra action once the goal drives movement.”

Choose the editor who teaches you how to see your own work.

Check professionalism

Professional editors run reliable systems. That saves time and worry.

Signals to look for:

• A written quote that states word count, scope, and assumptions.
• Specific deliverables. Editorial letter length, margin notes on which pages, whether a scene map is included, number of passes, and any follow-up.
• Dates. Start week, delivery window, and response times during your revision window.
• Tools. Track Changes or PDF comments, and a call platform that works for you.
• Payment terms. Deposit, milestones, and refund or reschedule policy.
• References or testimonials you can verify.

Ask one process question. “What happens if the manuscript arrives at 95,000 words instead of 85,000?” A pro gives a clear change-order answer, not hand-waving.

Watch for red flags

Save yourself a mess by walking away early.

• Promises of publication or bestseller status.
• Offers to rewrite in their voice.
• Vague deliverables. “I will make it stronger” without how.
• Refusal to use standard tools or to provide a contract.
• Line edits before structure is agreed.
• “I can fit you in tomorrow” with no intake process.
• A sample that fixes sentences while ignoring premise and stakes.

If your gut says you are being sold, you are.

Run a paid sample with two or three editors

Test on the same pages, then compare apples to apples. Pay for the work. You want their best thinking.

What to send:

• 2,000 to 3,000 words from the opening. If later sections misfire, add a short excerpt from there.
• A one-page synopsis. Include the ending.
• Your top three concerns and your goal for the book.

What to ask for:

• A page or two of editorial notes plus margin comments on the sample.
• A quick sense of scope for the full project.
• A short call to discuss approach, if you want chemistry data.

How to compare:

• Clarity. Do you understand the notes without a decoder ring.
• Depth. Do they reach root causes, or sit at the surface.
• Priorities. Do they name the three moves that would shift the book.
• Voice respect. Do the suggestions sound like an improved you, or like them.
• Fit. Do they get your audience and comps.

A simple scorecard, 1 to 5 for each:

• Genre fit
• Diagnostic depth
• Prioritization
• Communication clarity
• Professionalism
• Price relative to value

Total the scores. Then listen to your gut after the calls.

A quick story about false economy

A novelist hired the cheapest quote for a full developmental edit on an 85,000-word thriller. The editor delivered pages of line notes. Almost no talk about motive or timeline. The author then hired a second editor for a structural pass. They cut six chapters and rebuilt the midpoint. Total spend, double. Time lost, four months.

Paying for thinking the first time would have cost less.

What value feels like

You walk away with a map, not confusion. You know the order of operations. You see how your scenes serve the spine. You feel more like a writer, not less.

Price matters. Value saves you from paying twice. Pick the partner who helps you make the right hard changes, in the right order, on a schedule you trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Download FREE ebook

Claim your free eBook today and join over 25,000 writers who have read and benefited from this ebook.

'It is probably one of the best books on writing I've read so far.' Miz Bent

Leave this empty

Get free book