Structural / Developmental Editing

A very detailed assessment of the novel, usually consisting of both a long report and comments to the manuscript (MS) itself. Some editors will also make visible changes to the MS; however at Fiction Feedback our standard service is report and comments only. However, if you’d prefer a more hands-on approach, do ask.

Structural /developmental / substantive / content editing are all terms for the same thing: a thorough examination of how the novel works. Does the plot hang together? Are characters credible, well-defined and interesting? Do they develop over the course of the novel? Is there sufficient conflict? A strong narrative arc? Is the style working well with the story? Do events occur at the right places or could changes improve the pace or the drama? Is the weighting given to different parts of the novel the best possible? Are some sections told which should be shown, and are there areas of obvious exposition that need a more subtle treatment?

Developmental editing is just as important for narrative non-fiction such as memoirs. The aspects we examine are similar to the above.

We prefer to look at a few thousand words of your manuscript before quoting. The Fiction Feedback fee usually falls between £14 and £16 per 1,000 words.

You might find that after you get your first edit back, you want to return with a revised draft for a second look (as of course is the way in traditional publishing), so try to budget for a second edit if you can.

We’re very happy to look through subsequent drafts and offer the service at a reduced rate.

We provide structural / developmental editing to novels and novellas and also to narrative non-fiction such as memoirs and biographies. Short stories too, although critiques are the recommended route for pieces under 10,000 words.