Developmental Editing
Developmental editing offers a deep, structured engagement with your manuscript—clarifying its architecture, refining the throughline, and strengthening your voice. This process goes beyond surface polish to help you articulate what your work truly wants to say. Whether you’re shaping a book, article, or long-form essay, the aim is not to change who you are as a writer, but to bring greater precision, flow, and coherence to your ideas.
What to expect from developmental editing
Each project begins with a close, thoughtful reading of your manuscript or materials, followed by detailed feedback that attends to both structure and expression. My goal is to help you uncover the shape of your ideas and strengthen the throughline that connects them.
You can expect:
A Full, Careful Read — I read your work in its entirety to understand its architecture, rhythm, and voice before offering any suggestions.
Structural Analysis — I identify how ideas build from one section to the next, where transitions might need support, and where the narrative or argument could be clarified or deepened.
Voice and Tone Guidance — I highlight the moments where your voice comes through most powerfully and where it might be obscured, helping you write with greater authority and presence.
Editorial Roadmap — You’ll receive a clear, practical plan for revision, outlining strengths, opportunities, and concrete next steps to bring cohesion and flow to your manuscript.
Respect for Your Intent — My role is to refine and illuminate your ideas, not to reshape them. The process is collaborative and rooted in your purpose for the work.
“She provided a clear editorial path for me to follow, helping me find the throughline in my ideas.”
“She doesn’t ask the writer to change who they are—she helps them lean into their voice.”
“Her feedback helped me see that I can assert my perspective on history—it doesn’t have control over me.”
Manuscript Review
A focused editorial assessment of your full or partial manuscript. Includes a comprehensive editorial letter addressing structure, clarity, flow, and voice, with specific recommendations for revision.
Ideal for writers seeking high-level guidance before revising independently.
Developmental Edit
A full developmental edit with in-text comments, margin notes, and an editorial letter that analyzes structure, argument, pacing, and tone. Includes one follow-up consultation to discuss key insights and next steps.
Designed for writers who want hands-on, detailed engagement with both structure and language.
Full Editorial Partnership
An immersive collaboration through multiple rounds of feedback and revision. This includes detailed developmental editing, follow-up consultations, and guidance on refining argument, tone, and narrative throughline across drafts.
For writers seeking sustained editorial partnership from first draft to final manuscript.
FAQs
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Developmental editing focuses on the manuscript itself—its structure, coherence, and the clarity of ideas on the page. Coaching and one-on-one workshopping, by contrast, center on the writer—their mindset, process, and growth in real time.
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Yes. My experience spans academic, trade nonfiction, and hybrid genres. My approach adapts to the conventions and audience expectations of each, while always centering your voice.
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For developmental editing, I ask for your manuscript (complete or partial), a brief statement of your goals, and any specific areas of concern. This helps me tailor feedback to both the project and your stage of writing.
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Absolutely. Many writers begin with developmental editing and continue with mentorship or coaching to sustain momentum and deepen their craft after the editorial process.
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Timelines vary depending on manuscript length and depth of feedback requested. A full manuscript edit typically requires 4–6 weeks, though shorter projects or early-stage drafts may take less time.
What People Are Saying
“Natalie's process was thorough and professional, yet very personal. She made every effort to get to know me and my vision, spending a lot of time asking questions and understanding me and my goals. It was clear she had the same goal for my book as I did—for it to be its absolute best. As someone with a particularly high standard, I can say that the finished product exceeds even what I had hoped for. I am extremely grateful to have worked with her, and I have every intention to do so again with my next book, the follow-up to The Four Stars of Leadership!”
—Dr. Tom Collins, author, The Four Stars of Leadership
“I have never worked with a developmental editor before, so I had a bit of uncertainty as to how the process would work, and what I would get out of it but I can honestly say, working with Natalie has fundamentally changed my approach to writing and I feel that my current book, and everything I write from hereon, will be radically better having worked with her.”
—Cheryl Thompson, PhD, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Black Expressive Culture & Creativity, Toronto Metropolitan University
“When I met with her, I knew immediately that she was the perfect choice. I started working with her right away, and it’s a decision I’ve never regretted. Natalie was great at providing specific feedback that pushed me to grow as a writer. Everything she shared was thoughtful and made perfect sense. I especially appreciated the detailed two-page overview she provided, outlining her insights and suggestions, along with specific edits directly within my manuscript.”
—Shelley Braine, author of The College Debt Solution
Book a free sample edit.
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