#developmental editing

[amoebaforce]

✨Commission Sale!✨

My beloved cat Gordon was just diagnosed with osteoarthritis and a congenital spine deformity, and to pay for his unexpected vet bills, I'm offering 50% off ALL of my editing and beta reading commissions!

That's 50% off your initial consultation booking AND 50% off the total cost of your chosen service! I accept manuscripts of all lengths and specialize in fantasy, sci-fi, and romance.

All commissions include several pages of notes and an optional virtual meeting to discuss my edits in thorough detail. Additionally, I offer flexible pricing for marginalized and in-need authors! No "proof of need" required; just mention it while booking your consultation. Use this link ⬇ to claim your slot and help us keep our Gordon healthy and pain-free!

50% discount off Eliza Mares's Commissions

Visit Eliza Mares at Ko-fi for 50% discount off Commissions

[caramelcorvs]

I’m starving can you lot give me your writing for me to beta read? Free of charge I’m genuinely bored. Just message me, I do substantive/developmental editing

[definitelynotshouting]

Help me pay my $63 phone bill?

Buy TJ a Coffee

Become a supporter of TJ today!

If you're in the position to donate, even a little bit helps!! Plus, I'm offering hour-long developmental editing consultations for anyone who donates $25 or more!

This means I will sit down and help you figure out the course of your story, go over plot elements, character arcs, and any sticking points you want to work out, with personalized advice from me :] you can shoot me a dm here on tumblr if you donate $25+, and we'll work out the details!!!

Thank you for considering, and please only donate if you have the financial means! Cheers!!❤️❤️❤️

[sigmoneditorial]

What Type of Editing Do I Need?: For New (Overwhelmed) Independent Authors

If familiarizing yourself with types of editing is the first step in the editing process, knowing what type is right for your manuscript is the next. In case you missed it, here is the first article in this series, focusing on types of editing.

Self-Editing

When deciding what type of editing you need first, begin by flipping through your manuscript. Do you see lots of typos or confusing phrases at a glance? Maybe you wrote parts using speech-to-text, or have a tendency to forget quotation marks or paragraph indents. If this is you, your first step is to reread your own work to correct your spelling, phrasing, and formatting. Don’t worry about every intricacy, just make the text readable. Your editor(s) will have a difficult time assessing your story if they can’t focus on the words!

Alpha Reader

After yourself, your alpha readers are your first audience, the ones who will tell you whether your story is generally enjoyable, what genre they think it fits in, and if character arcs are believable. Think of this as story validation. You probably have an alpha reader, even if you don’t know it. If a fellow writer reads your manuscript before you send it off to an editor, or you send snippets to your partner, or your writing group helps you brainstorm to fix plot holes, that’s alpha reading. All manuscripts need alpha readers, whether formal or not, for the simple reason that writing is meant to be read. Without a fresh set of eyes, you can’t really know whether your idea is working or if it needs some work.

Manuscript Evaluation

A manuscript evaluation, story critique, manuscript assessment, or editorial assessment is a multi-page report on the reading experience and major story elements with specific advice and ideas. Where an alpha read might give you feedback like “The main character seemed flat, maybe their personality could be expressed more,” an evaluation might say, “To flesh out the main character, consider the characteristics they already have and how that might work in another environment. We know they’re kind, so maybe in X or Y scene, we see that kindness manifest as naivety.” If you’ve written a narrative, it’s usually a good idea to get an assessment. Because they don’t include in-line changes, you maintain a lot of control over the line-by-line verbiage while still refining your story, which can be a great warm-up to getting to know your characters and world.

Beta Readers

When you have your second draft, it’s time for beta readers. All manuscripts should go through beta readers to ensure a high quality reading experience for an average person. While your editor will make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s later, beta readers will tell you how someone not necessarily professionally trained interprets your work.  Beta readers range in the depth of their feedback. They might say things like “I found the main character boring,” or “I couldn’t keep track of who was who,” or “Why is he helping the president again, wasn’t he in cahoots with Goldenface?” Some will leave it there, while others will write a whole manuscript evaluation. It’s always worth finding out what level of feedback you can expect, especially if you’re on a tight budget or timeline.

Developmental Edit

After you’ve gotten feedback from your beta readers, examine the common denominators. Did multiple people tell you the story moves too slowly? Did a few suggest big changes? Was there an overall consensus of confusion? And are these changes too big or too complex to reasonably make on your own? If so, you need a developmental edit. A developmental editor will make in-document changes for scene-level edits, and will also write a chapter-by-chapter report to make sure every part of the story is doing its job. After you receive feedback from your editor, your manuscript is back in your hands to make these important, big-scale changes. It may take multiple passes between you and your editor to have a manuscript you’re pleased with, and that’s okay.

Line Edit

Once you have a story that’s solid, it’s time for a line edit. It’s important not to jump the gun—don’t invest in a line edit until you’re happy with the story and not planning any more beta reads or developmental passes. Unless funds are really, really, really tight, you need a line edit. Where previous editing stages have made sure the story is engaging, line editing makes sure the writing itself is engaging. The story could be incredible, but if it's not fun to read, your audience will never find out.

Copy Edit

Copy editing is more technical than line editing, and looks to perfect your language and consistency. Making sure your manuscript uses either “toward” or “towards” the whole way through ensures your final product looks professional and worth a reader’s time. Some editors do copy/line editing in the same pass, which might be cheaper and faster than getting them done separately.

Proofreading

Proofreading is your final step, and all manuscripts need proofed. This makes sure that your work appears professional and adheres to standard language. These are the really pedantic changes, the ones that might have slipped through the cracks thus far, and they make all the difference in your readers' perception of you as an author.

To recap-

First, give yourself a read through to make sure the manuscript isn’t especially messy or hard to read.

An alpha reader is just someone who reads your first draft and validates that A) you’re telling the story you meant to tell, and B) it’s a story worth reading. You're ready for this when your first draft is clean.

An assessment or evaluation is very important, especially for long stories or stories that will be told in multiple installments. You're ready for this when you're confident you have the skeleton built.

Beta readers are essential, and you might get this done at the same time as the assessment. You're ready for this when you're on a second draft using others' feedback.

If your betas think your manuscript is confusing, you need a developmental edit.

A copy and line edit should be prioritized if at all possible. You're ready for this when you're done making story changes.

Proofreading is essential. You're ready for this when all other editing is done.

In the coming articles, we’ll be addressing more of the most frequently asked editing questions from new (overwhelmed) independent authors.

Where do I get alpha/beta readers?

How do I find an editor anyway?

I’m scared for people to read my work.

I can’t afford any of this!

~Allison of Sigmon Editorial

From idea to ISBN, Sigmon Editorial's got your back.

[pandora-twists]

I need a published author as a beta reader. They could be self published or otherwise but a published author who has been through it all is a must. Experience with KDP publishing is preferred.

My manuscript is 100,000 words and I have a budget of at max $200. I know it's not much but it's what I can manage for now due to currency rate differences. It can be negotiated if required.

If this gig suits anyone please leave me a dm.

Genre is drama, thriller, lgbtq.

Edit: Due to too many DMs, I won't be able to reply to everyone unless they fit my exact requirements. Thank you for understanding.

[velouraesthetic]

BETA READING SERVICES FOR AUTHORS

I run a beta reading service dedicated to helping authors refine and improve their manuscripts before publication.

I provide detailed feedback on both fiction and non-fiction works, focusing on clarity, structure, and reader experience.

Services include:

Plot and structure analysis (fiction)

Argument clarity and flow (non-fiction)

Character and content development

Pacing and readability

General reader feedback and suggestions for improvement

I work with manuscripts at various stages, from early drafts to near-final versions. Feedback is clear, honest, and aimed at helping strengthen your work while preserving your voice.

If you are an author looking for professional, thoughtful beta reading support, feel free to reach out.

[novella-november]

A random, good video I found about why good Editors are so important for your works!

[verbatikmedia]

What Is Editing? (And Why Most Writers Get It Wrong)

One of the questions I'm asked most often is: "What is editing, actually?"

Writers hear it everywhere: "You need to get your book edited."

But what does that really mean?

Is it about fixing typos? Rewriting sentences? Rearranging chapters? Cutting entire subplots?

The short answer: yes, sometimes all of the above.

As a professional editor and writing coach, I can say this with confidence: editing is both art and science. It's not just about correcting grammar—it's about refining the soul of your work.

Here's what most writers don't understand:

Editing Isn't One Thing. It's Four Different Stages.

And each one serves a completely different purpose.

1. Developmental Editing (Big Picture Editing)

This is where we look at the core structure of your book.

Is the plot working? Are the characters believable? Is the pacing effective? Is your argument coherent (for non-fiction)?

This is the most intensive type of editing—it reshapes the foundation of your book. This is my specialization, and honestly, it's where most manuscripts need the most help.

If your beta readers are confused, if your middle drags, if your ending feels rushed—you need developmental editing.

2. Line Editing (Stylistic Editing)

Here, we focus on how the story is told.

Sentence flow. Word choice. Tone and voice. Emotional resonance. Dialogue polish.

This makes your writing sound better, smoother, and more powerful. It's the difference between good writing and great writing.

If your story structure is solid but the prose feels clunky, you need line editing.

3. Copyediting (Technical Accuracy)

Now we zoom into the details:

Grammar. Punctuation. Spelling. Sentence structure. Consistency (names, dates, tenses).

This is often what people imagine when they hear "editing," but it's only part of the full process.

If your manuscript has typos, inconsistent capitalization, or grammatical errors, you need copyediting.

4. Proofreading (The Final Polish)

The last line of defence before publication.

Tiny typos. Missing words. Formatting issues. Layout consistency.

Proofreading happens after copyediting—right before your book goes to print or upload.

If your manuscript is formatted and ready but needs one last check, you need proofreading.

Why Does Editing Matter So Much?

Even the most brilliant idea can get lost in poor execution.

Editing:

Makes your message clear

Engages your readers fully

Builds your credibility

Prevents embarrassing mistakes

Enhances emotional impact

Think of editing as the bridge between a good idea and a great book.

What Editing Is NOT

Let's clear up some common misconceptions:

Misconception: Editors rewrite your entire book Reality: Editors improve your work, not replace your voice

Misconception: AI tools (like Grammarly) are enough Reality: They can help, but they're no substitute for human judgment and professional experience

Misconception: Editing = correcting typos only Reality: Editing is about structure, pacing, character depth, flow, tension—and yes, typos too

Why Professional Editing Is Worth It

A professional editor:

Brings objectivity (you're too close to your own work)

Sees weaknesses you may overlook or not even know about

Knows the publishing market standards

Helps you avoid rejection (if submitting traditionally)

Elevates your book's quality for readers and reviewers

Editing is not an expense. It's an investment in your reputation as an author.

Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing

Self-Publishing:

You hire your own editor

You control the process

Cost is upfront (your responsibility)

You can choose your editor

Traditional Publishing:

Publisher assigns an editor

Publisher controls edits

Publisher covers editing costs

No choice in assigned editor

Either way, you need editing. The question is who pays for it and who chooses the editor.

In Short: Editing Is Collaboration

Editing is not about "fixing" your writing—it's about developing your story and making it the best possible version of your book, while preserving your unique voice.

So if you're writing a book—or planning to—remember: editing isn't something to fear.

An editor is your partner in making your work the absolute best it can be.

If you'd like to understand more about what editing truly involves, which type of editing your manuscript needs, and how to choose the right editor, I wrote a complete guide:

Read the full article: https://verbatikmedia.com/2025/06/23/what-is-editing/

And if you'd like expert, hands-on guidance with your own manuscript—whether you need developmental feedback, line editing, or just honest professional advice on where your manuscript stands—I'd love to help.

Visit: verbatikmedia.com

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