Transform your book
with our bespoke
developmental editing

Developmental Editing

Our developmental editing service provides unrivaled support to elevate your manuscript to a publishable standard. We guarantee quality, exceptional customer service, and affordability. Your privacy is paramount; we promise 100% anonymity and will never discuss your book with anyone without your written permission. Our testimonials from satisfied authors speak to the impact of our work on their books.

Comprehensive Service

Our developmental editing package includes three key elements:

• Developmental Editing
• Line Editing
• Editor's Report

Developmental Editing

Traditionally published authors benefit from the editorial support of their agent and publisher. For self-publishing authors, this critical feedback must be sought independently. Our developmental editing package is designed to offer this essential support.

Our developmental editors do more than highlight technical issues. They provide you with a clear roadmap to address these issues and improve your writing skills. This comprehensive approach ensures that your book meets the highest standards of quality and readability.

Editorial Approach

The role of the developmental editor is to ensure your book is of a publishable standard. Unlike other types of editing, developmental editing relies heavily on the editor's education, experience, and intuitive understanding of what makes a story work. This means the developmental editor's skill is critical. However, to ensure a consistent approach, our editors apply a series of questions to each book they edit. These questions, though often genre-specific, include:

• Structure and Presentation:
  • Does the structure of the book make sense?
  • Is the presentation logical?
  • Is there a wider story arc that engages the reader and pulls them through the narrative?
• Viewpoint and Consistency:
  • Has a coherent viewpoint been applied? Is it consistent and suitable for the story?
  • Does the chapter structure make sense? Does the writer understand scene structure?
  • Are narrative techniques correctly applied?
  • Is the tense consistent throughout the book?
• Description and Characterization:
  • Does each scene contain sufficient description?
  • Are new characters adequately described?
  • Is the characterization believable and consistent? Are the characters sufficiently developed?
• Plot and Voice:
  • Are there any obvious plot holes?
  • If the novel is set in the past, are there inconsistencies in the use of objects, etc.?
  • Does the book's voice, style, and format match genre expectations?
• Accuracy and Format:
  • Are the facts accurate?
  • Does the book's word count meet genre expectations? If it's too short, how can it be extended? If too long, what approach should be taken?
  • Has the writer correctly formatted paragraphs? Would shorter or longer paragraphs better suit the style or genre of the book?
• Additional Content:
  • If a prologue is used, does it match the genre and make sense within the wider narrative?
  • Does the book need an introduction?
  • Does the book need additional end material, such as a bibliography or epilogue?
  • Should the writer include information about themselves?
  • If relevant, is the book correctly referenced?
  • If images, tables, and diagrams are used, has the copyright been correctly attributed?
  • If included, are all footnotes or endnotes correctly presented and formatted?
• Theme and Message:
  • Is the central theme clearly defined and consistently explored throughout the book?
  • Does the book effectively communicate its intended message to the reader?
• Pacing:
  • Is the pacing of the story appropriate for the genre and content?
  • Are there any sections that drag or move too quickly?
• Dialogue:
  • Is the dialogue natural and believable?
  • Does it serve to develop characters and advance the plot?
• Audience Engagement:
  • Does the book effectively engage the target audience?
  • Are there elements that could alienate or confuse readers?
• Conflict and Resolution:
  • Are the conflicts in the story well-developed and compelling?
  • Is the resolution satisfying and does it tie up the major plot points?
• Setting and World-Building:
  • Is the setting vividly described and integral to the story?
  • For fantasy or sci-fi, is the world-building consistent and immersive?
• Emotional Impact:
  • Does the book evoke the intended emotional responses in readers?
  • Are there opportunities to deepen the emotional impact?

Communication and Feedback

The developmental editor will communicate their thoughts, directions, and suggestions using embedded comments and a comprehensive editor's report. This ensures you receive detailed and actionable feedback, guiding you through the process of refining your manuscript.

At BubbleCow, we are committed to helping you produce the best book possible. Our developmental editing service is designed to provide the expert support you need, transforming your manuscript into a work of art ready for publication.

Embedded Comments

When editing your book, our developmental editors will constantly apply the questions and considerations discussed earlier, collecting thoughts and suggestions that will enhance your manuscript. We fundamentally believe that our role is to guide and suggest, but the control of the final changes should always remain with you, the writer. After all, you have the clearest vision for your book.

One of the primary ways we communicate our thoughts and feedback is through embedded comments in your manuscript. These comments are part of Word's editing tools and will automatically appear when you open the edited document. If they do not appear immediately, it’s a simple matter of adjusting your settings in Word.

What to Expect in Your Comments

While there are no strict rules for what we include in these comments, and the specifics change with each writer and each book, we see these comments as a way to start a dialogue with you. They allow us to highlight sections of the book and suggest improvements. Here are some common types of comments you might find:

• Sentence-Level Issues:
  • Highlighting sections of text that need more description or where sentence structure could be improved.
• Wider Issues:
  • Addressing broader concerns also discussed in the editor's report, such as instances where you might be telling rather than showing. We provide detailed explanations in the report and use comments to highlight specific sections where these issues occur.
• Word or Phrase Choices:
  • Pointing out words or phrases that may not be effective or that could be improved.
• Structural Suggestions:
  • Indicating sections that might benefit from being removed or moved to a different part of the book.

Comments are a granular way for your editor to show you where and how you can improve your book. However, they should not be considered in isolation. Along with embedded comments, you will also receive a detailed, multi-page editor’s report that addresses broader themes and issues within your manuscript.

Editor's Report

A key part of the developmental editing process is the editor's report. This document contains your editor’s comprehensive thoughts on your book, offering a broad overview of key issues and serving as a 'jumping-off point' for the changes you may want to apply to your manuscript.

Just like the embedded comments, the contents of the report will vary with each book. Since 2007, we have developed a detailed structure for our reports, ensuring consistency and thoroughness. The report consists of two main parts: general thoughts and chapter comments.

In the general thoughts section, we highlight any major issues that have surfaced during the edit. We explain why these issues need addressing, provide examples of where the issues occur (often in conjunction with the embedded comments), and offer at least one solution for each problem.

For instance, if we find that your book has a slow start, we will identify the root causes. It might be due to excessive setup that, while essential to the plot, slows the narrative pace. Alternatively, it could be a lack of defined structure, resulting in no inciting incident to drive the story forward. Or perhaps the story simply begins at the wrong point in the plot.

A slow start can disengage readers, risking their interest in the book. In our editor's report, we would examine this issue thoroughly and suggest solutions.

Possible solutions might include:

• Reducing Excessive Setup:
  • We might suggest reexamining the opening section and removing non-essential setup details, reintroducing them later through dialogue or new scenes.
• Enforcing Structure:
  • If the structure is the problem, we may recommend implementing a loose three-act structure to create a natural inciting incident, providing a clearer narrative arc.
• Restructuring the Opening:
  • If the story starts in the wrong place, we would suggest relocating the beginning to a more significant event, ensuring nothing crucial to the plot is lost in the process.

In addition to general thoughts, the report includes detailed chapter comments. These provide specific feedback on each chapter, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. This dual approach ensures you receive both a macro and micro perspective on your manuscript.

The aim of the editor's report is to help you understand the issues within your book and how to fix them. We never simply say 'fix this'; we explain why it is an issue and provide actionable steps to correct it.

Many authors find the editor’s report to be an invaluable tool. Before each editing session, they refer back to the report to get a sense of the bigger picture before delving into the details of the line edit.

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Line Editing

In addition to the developmental editing, we will also carry out a line edit for your book. While developmental editing focuses on the big picture, the line editor will be focused on sentence-level problems.

Definition and Scope

Line editing is a form of copy editing. According to Wikipedia, copy editing is the ‘process of reviewing and correcting written material to improve accuracy, readability, and fitness for its purpose, and to ensure that it is free of error, omission, inconsistency, and repetition.’ Some people refer to line editing as ‘mechanical editing’ due to its rigid nature in fixing errors according to a style manual.

In its simplest terms, line editing involves the developmental editor reading each line of your book and applying the rules from the appropriate style manual. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style suggests:

• Spell out whole numbers up to (and including) one hundred (e.g., zero, one, ten, ninety-six, 104).
• Spell out numbers that begin a sentence unless it begins with a year (e.g., "Twelve drummers," "The 10 lords a-leaping," "2011's quota for off-season holiday references has been filled.").

Therefore, if we encounter the sentence:

‘The shepherd counted 45 sheep before falling asleep.’

We would change it to:

‘The shepherd counted forty-five sheep before falling asleep.’

Light Line Editing

The line editing we apply to your prose can be described as ‘light’ line editing. This means that while we aim to find and correct every error, it is not an exhaustive process. Developmental editing remains the primary focus, with line editing complementing it. Though we work hard to catch all errors, it is not 100%. We always suggest that writers view the line edit as guidance rather than a replacement for proofreading. Once we return the manuscript, you will have a clear indication of where errors lie and can reinforce our work with your own editing.

The developmental editing process will likely stimulate some level of rewriting from you, the writer. This means that once you have back the edited manuscript, you will be looking to change and add new material. Any new writing will bring new errors; we are all human.

What is Included in the Line Edit?

The editor will read each line of your book and make changes when they see an error. These errors will be fixed using tracked changes, meaning you remain in control. If you wish to ‘reject’ the change, you can easily revert to the original text. If the editor sees errors that are consistently made (perhaps incorrect capitalization of a word), they may apply a global find and replace. This process involves asking Word to ‘find’ each occurrence of the error and replace it with the correct version. Find and replace is used with caution but can be very effective in adding consistency to a manuscript.

The Line Editing Process

As with all editing, there is a level of ‘art’ to line editing, but on the whole, it is the most mechanical of the editing steps. Edits will use one of four style manuals to handle errors and inconsistencies within a manuscript:

• American English:
  • The Chicago Manual of Style (default).
  • The Associated Press Style Guide (if specified).
• British English:
  • The Oxford Style Guide.

BubbleCow also has an internal style guide consulted for certain issues. For example, while most style guides suggest that the correct format for an ellipsis is . . . (dot space dot space dot), our internal style guide recommends … (no spaces) for digital ebook conversions to prevent issues with white space removal.

The main focus of the editor during line editing will be to ensure the correct application of grammar and punctuation. However, they will also address the following:

• Abbreviations and acronyms
• Additional elements, such as charts, tables, and graphs
• Capitalization
• Footnotes and endnotes
• Hyphenation
• Italicization and boldfaced type
• Numbers and numerals
• Punctuation
• Quotations
• Spelling

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Unlimited Revisions

At BubbleCow, we understand that writing is a process, and perfecting a manuscript often requires multiple rounds of feedback and revision. That's why we offer unlimited revisions within the original scope of the edit. This means you can continuously refine your manuscript, addressing all feedback until it reaches its best possible version. Our goal is to support you in creating a book that truly resonates with your vision.

Our unlimited revisions policy allows you to address specific feedback and make adjustments based on our editorial recommendations. This includes clarifications, minor adjustments, and refinements to the manuscript. However, it does not cover substantial rewrites, significant structural changes, or the addition of huge amounts of new content.

To find out more about our policy, you can read our terms and conditions.

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Uncompromising Support

Our support begins the moment you submit your book and continues indefinitely. We offer hour-long pre- and post-edit video meetings to discuss your manuscript in detail, as well as ongoing email and WhatsApp support. Our commitment to you includes lifelong advice on publishing and the publishing process, ensuring you have the guidance and assistance you need at every stage of your writing journey.

Comprehensive Meetings

We understand the importance of personalized feedback and direct communication. That's why we provide hour-long pre- and post-edit meetings to discuss your manuscript in detail. If additional face-to-face meetings are required, we are more than happy to accommodate.

Continuous Email Support

Our email support is available for any questions you may have about editing, the process, publishing, or writing in general. We aim to provide timely and comprehensive answers to ensure you feel supported throughout your journey.

Personal WhatsApp Access

You will have access to your editor's personal WhatsApp number, allowing you to receive support throughout the editing process. This direct line of communication ensures that any concerns or questions are promptly addressed.

Lifelong Guidance

We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients. You have lifelong support for all questions related to editing, publishing, and writing. Having worked with thousands of writers, we have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate any challenges you may encounter. At BubbleCow, we see our relationship with you as a long-term commitment, not just a one-book relationship. We are dedicated to supporting your writing career and helping you achieve your goals.

Video Report

Receive a comprehensive video report where the editor provides detailed feedback on your novel. Hosted on our private YouTube channel, this report offers a permanent and accessible resource for you. The video format allows for a more personal and in-depth explanation of your manuscript’s strengths and areas for improvement, giving you valuable insights that go beyond written comments.

The video report provides a unique opportunity to receive personalized feedback in a format that allows for a deeper connection and understanding. Your editor will discuss the strengths of your manuscript, highlighting what works well and why. They will also address areas for improvement, offering specific suggestions and examples to help you refine your work.

Amazon Blurb or Book Proposal

At BubbleCow, we understand the importance of a captivating introduction to your book. That’s why, as part of the service, we offer you a choice between two valuable services: crafting an engaging Amazon sales blurb or developing a compelling book proposal. Our expert team is dedicated to highlighting the unique aspects of your book, ensuring it stands out and captures the interest of your target audience.

With our Amazon sales blurb service, we focus on creating a concise, attention-grabbing description that draws readers in and compels them to buy your book. We emphasize the key elements of your story, characters, and themes, making sure to pique the interest of potential readers.

Alternatively, if you choose our book proposal service, we will help you create a comprehensive and persuasive proposal designed to appeal to publishers and agents. This includes a detailed synopsis, author bio, market analysis, and promotional strategies. Our goal is to present your book in the best light possible, showcasing its strengths and market potential.

Whether you are aiming to attract readers or secure a publishing deal, our team is here to provide the support you need to make a strong and lasting impression.

Enhancing Marketability and Report

Our editing service goes beyond just correcting mistakes. We provide targeted feedback aimed at making your book more marketable. This includes adjustments to writing style, tone, and narrative voice to ensure your book appeals to a broad audience. We also provide a comprehensive marketability report that details where your book fits in the marketplace, the types of platforms and venues it can be marketed, and suitable cover design ideas.

The marketability report is a valuable tool that provides insights into how your book can stand out in a crowded market. We analyze current trends and reader preferences to recommend the best strategies for positioning your book. This includes identifying your target audience, suggesting promotional tactics, and offering guidance on cover design that aligns with your book’s genre and theme.

Our focus on these critical elements increases your book's chances of success in the market, making it more engaging and accessible to potential readers. By refining the presentation and marketing aspects of your book, we help ensure it reaches its full potential and resonates with a wider audience.

The Process

Our process is designed to be straightforward and supportive from start to finish. Here’s how it works:

Initial Contact: You can reach out to us via a simple form on our website or through a WhatsApp chat, providing your name and a brief description of your book.

Follow-Up Email: After the initial contact, you'll receive an email containing detailed information about payment, a link to our questionnaire, and a link to schedule a meeting through Calendly.

Questionnaire and Meeting: Before the meeting, you'll need to fill out the questionnaire to provide more details about your manuscript. This helps us understand your project better. During the meeting, we’ll discuss your project in depth, and you will be offered the opportunity to request a sample developmental edit.

Sample Developmental Edit: If you request it, we will complete and return a sample developmental edit. Following this, you can opt for a second meeting to discuss the sample edit or decide to proceed with a full edit.

First Invoice and Full Edit: Once you decide to proceed with a full edit, the first invoice will be sent. Upon payment, we will begin the editing process. You'll receive an email outlining what to expect and a delivery date for the completed edit.

Progress Updates: Throughout the editing process, we provide regular updates via email or WhatsApp to keep you informed of the progress.

Completion and Second Invoice: As the edit nears completion, the second invoice will be issued. After payment, the final edited manuscript will be returned to you.

Post-Edit Meeting and Ongoing Support: A post-edit meeting will be set up to discuss the final edits. Additionally, we offer ongoing support and follow-up tasks to assist you over the next year, ensuring you have the guidance you need even after the edit is complete.