Developmental editing for serious writers

Calculate the cost

There's nothng hidden here. Before you read a load of text, use the calculator below to work out the cost of an edit.

BubbleCow uses clear, word-count-based pricing. Add your manuscript word count to the calculator below and you will see the full cost of your developmental edit.

None of that 'add your email' rubbish.

The price is transparent from the start. There is no hidden quote process, no unexpected add-ons, and no need to submit your manuscript before you know what the edit will cost.

The price includes a full editorial report, manuscript comments, line editing, a revision roadmap, and ongoing support for the book.

How I read your manuscript

The first step is to work out your intentions for the book.

If I am going to give clear, actionable feedback, then I need to 'get' your book and what you are trying to do.

This is done via email, face-to-face meetings, and, if needed, I have a questionnaire.

We'll talk about your genre, your ambitions for the book, and the parts of the draft you’re unsure about.

Those intentions guide my reading.

I use the same two-pass system that a developmental editor in a traditional publishing house would use. That is my background, after all.

In the first pass, I am reading your book like a first-time reader. I am looking for the places where the text is triggering emotions, good or bad. When I come across these, I will mark them and note my feelings.

By the end of the first read, I will have a clear 'map' of your book, and I will have started to build a picture of what I think is wrong and how it can be fixed.

Then comes the second pass. This time, I am reading like an editor. I am focusing on the areas that triggered emotions and looking for patterns and evidence to explain why.

Once I have found the evidence, I'll formulate a plan to fix the problems and bundle the whole thing into a report.

So... let's say I come to a major set-piece conflict in your novel and I just don't care what happens to the character. I know we have a problem. Experience tells me this is probably because you've not clearly defined the character's goals and motivations. I'll then pinpoint the moment I lost interest and highlight the sections where you can develop the protagonist's goals.

One thing you will see is that I split problems into local and global issues. If a problem is in just one chapter, it stays a local issue and will show up in the chapter feedback. However, if the problem spreads across several chapters, I'll promote it to a global issue, and it will show up as a major problem in the report.

What you get in a developmental edit

A full BubbleCow edit gives you detailed developmental feedback, line editing, manuscript comments, and a clear revision direction.

The work is carried out personally by me, Gary Smailes. You are not passed to a junior editor, anonymous freelancer, or marketplace team. I read the manuscript, diagnose the deeper issues, and give you practical guidance for the next draft.

• A detailed editorial report explaining the manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, recurring issues, and revision priorities. This is your clear roadmap to lifting the book to the next level.
• Comments embedded within the manuscript showing how the larger issues appear on the page. You will be able to look at the comments and link them directly to the wider issues highlighted in the report.
• Line editing included to support clarity, rhythm, consistency, flow, and sentence-level execution. If I see sentence-level issues, I'll fix them.
• Tracked changes so you can review suggested edits and stay in control of the manuscript.
• Chapter-by-chapter feedback to help you understand how each part of the book is working.
• Practical solutions for the issues most likely to affect the reader experience.
• A sequenced revision roadmap showing which decisions to make first, which parts of the book they affect, and what can wait. If a structural change could reshape a scene, you can settle that before polishing its sentences.
• Progress updates during the edit, so you know where the work stands.
• A post-edit video call to discuss the feedback and clarify your next steps.
• Ongoing support to help you with revisions and more.

Inside the editorial report

The editorial report is one of the most important parts of the developmental edit. It gives you the big picture: what is working, what is not working, why the problems matter, and what to focus on in revision.

This is not a short summary or a loose collection of comments. I will use the report to explain the manuscript as a whole, identify patterns, and give you a practical route into the next draft.

The best way to think of the report is as a clear map that will direct your revisions and rewrites. It will explain the problems, what to fix, and in what order to fix things.

Your report may include:

• An overall diagnosis of the manuscript and the main issues affecting the reader experience. I'll highlight the most pressing issues so you know where to start.
• A summary of strengths so you understand what is already working and should be protected during revision. I don't want you to remove the best bits when revising.
• A clear list of key issues so you know what needs attention. I'll highlight the biggest issues but also guide you towards the smaller problems that still need some focus.
• Genre and reader expectation notes to help you understand how the book sits within its likely market. If you are straying outside the genre or missing key elements, this will be highlighted.
• Plot and structure feedback on the shape, movement, and logic of the manuscript. If plot is the problem, I'll highlight the evidence and guide you on where to make changes.
• Character feedback on motivation, agency, development, consistency, and reader connection. If your character arc is off, then I'll show you how to fix it.
• Pacing and tension feedback showing where the book may slow down, rush, repeat, or lose momentum. If the pace is getting away from the reader or it slows to a snail's pace, then you'll know where and how to mend the problem.
• Point of view and narration feedback where the perspective, voice, or control of information affects the reader. Consistency is the key. Any issues will be clearly marked.
• Exposition and clarity feedback where background information, explanation, or confusion weakens the reading experience. Plot dumping is a no-no, but any problems will be tackled.
• Chapter-by-chapter feedback to help you understand how each part of the manuscript is functioning. Global issues will be highlighted clearly at the top of the report, but local chapter issues will also be treated with the same attention.
• Revision priorities so you know what to fix first and what can wait.

The report is designed to help you make decisions. It does not simply say "this is wrong." It explains what is happening, why it matters, and how you might approach the fix.

How the process works

The process is designed to be clear, direct, and transparent from the start.

I have nothing to hide, and you will have full access to me throughout the editorial journey.

1. Check the price. Start by adding your manuscript word count to the calculator above and see the full cost of the developmental edit. This will not change.
2. Request a free sample edit. Once you know the cost, send the first 2,000 words of your manuscript so I can show you the kind of feedback you would receive. This is free.
3. Review the sample feedback. I'll send back the report. You can judge the honesty, detail, usefulness, and style of the feedback before deciding whether to continue.
4. Book an optional meeting. If useful, you can arrange a call to discuss the sample edit and ask questions about the full edit. I want you to be clear about what the process will entail right from the start.
5. Confirm the full edit. If you decide to proceed, then you send over your manuscript and the first invoice is issued, usually for half the total fee, with the balance due when the edit is returned. If you want to further spread the cost, just let me know.
6. Tell me what you want the book to do. The next step will be a face-to-face meeting. I want to get a clear overview of your intentions for the book. This usually takes about 60 minutes. I might follow up with a few questions if all the points aren't covered.
7. The edit begins. I’ll confirm your expected delivery date in writing. I aim to deliver within 28 working days of the agreed start date, and I’ll let you know if that date needs to change. I tend to go quiet during this stage as I focus on the book.
8. Receive your full feedback. Once I am done, you'll receive the edited manuscript, detailed editorial report, comments, tracked changes where relevant, and revision guidance.
9. Post-edit meeting. Before you start to revise, it is best to sit down and discuss the revisions face-to-face. This gives me a chance to explain my thinking and you a chance to ask questions. The result of this meeting will be a clear revision pathway.
10. Unlimited revisions with ongoing support. You can email me with questions or arrange a meeting when it would help. The fee includes unlimited feedback on substantially revised sections of this book. A further full edit, repeat review after minor changes, or work on another book requires a separate agreement.

The aim is to remove guesswork from the process. You know what the edit costs, who is doing the work, what you will receive, and what happens next.

Clear safeguards

Developmental editing is a professional relationship, and the process should be clear from the start. I use a transparent framework so you know how your manuscript, payment, and editorial work are handled.

• Contract: The edit is covered by clear terms so both sides understand what is included. I’ll confirm the scope, fee, dates, and terms in writing before payment.
• NDA: Your manuscript is treated confidentially, and I’ll confirm any separate non-disclosure agreement before work begins.
• File safety: Your manuscript files are handled carefully and stored securely during the edit. Read the File Safety page.
• AI policy: BubbleCow is built around experienced human editorial judgement, not automated manuscript feedback. I will never use AI as part of the editorial feedback process. Your manuscript will never be entered into an LLM. Read the AI Policy.
• Transparent payment: Payment is handled by invoice, with the cost made clear before you commit. The usual schedule is half before I start and half when I return the edit. We can agree another schedule in writing.

The aim is simple: you should feel confident about the process before you hand over your manuscript.

What writers say about the feedback.

Writers often come to BubbleCow because they know something in the manuscript needs attention, but they are not sure what the real issue is or how to fix it.

The feedback they value most is the honesty, detail, clarity, and practical direction: not just being told that something is wrong, but understanding why it matters and what to do next.

Read more reviews

Developmental editing FAQs

Is line editing included?

Yes. A BubbleCow developmental edit includes line editing as part of the service. Gary works on the writing on the page where it affects clarity, flow, rhythm, consistency, and reader experience.

Is this proofreading?

No. Proofreading is a separate final-stage process focused on surface errors. BubbleCow does not offer proofreading-only work.

Who edits my manuscript?

Your manuscript is edited personally by Gary Smailes. BubbleCow is the company, but the editorial work is not passed to an anonymous team or marketplace editor.

How is the price calculated?

The price is based on your manuscript word count. Use the price calculator to estimate the cost before requesting your free sample edit.

What do I receive?

You receive a detailed editorial report, comments directly on the manuscript, line editing, tracked changes where relevant, chapter-by-chapter feedback, revision priorities, and post-edit support.

Do I get support after the edit?

Yes. You can email me as you revise this book and arrange a meeting when it would help. Read how ongoing support works and see the terms for post-edit support for the scope of feedback on revisions.

What happens after the free sample edit?

After the sample edit, you can ask questions, book an optional meeting, or move forward with the full developmental edit if you feel Gary is the right editor for your manuscript.

Will Gary rewrite my book?

No. The aim is to help you understand and strengthen your manuscript, not take over your voice or turn the book into something else.

Do you use AI to edit manuscripts?

BubbleCow is built around experienced human editorial judgement. Your manuscript is read and edited by Gary Smailes.

Do you keep the copyright?

No. You retain the copyright to your manuscript because developmental editing does not transfer ownership of your work. BubbleCow retains the copyright only to the separate editorial feedback it provides.

Will you edit a book created using AI?

Yes. I will edit books created with or assisted by AI, but it is best to tell me before the edit begins. AI-generated material can present different editorial issues, so knowing about it from the start allows me to adjust my approach slightly and give you the most useful feedback. I will still read and edit your manuscript myself without using AI.