A developmental editor works with you on the big-picture elements of your manuscript such as structure, pacing, character, voice. This kind of editor works with you to make sure that your story is doing what you want it to do and saying what you want it to say. Unlike copyediting or proofreading, developmental editing is a conversation about the meaning and shape of your work. If you're a fiction writer or first-time author wondering why your draft isn't quite working, a developmental editor is usually where to start. My approach to developmental editing was born out of the textual analysis skills learned during my English Literature BA from the University of Toronto.

Developmental editing looks at the whole manuscript, the story, the structure, the voice, while copyediting focuses on sentence-level issues like grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Most writers need developmental editing first, then copyediting once the big picture is solid. Trying to copyedit a manuscript that still needs structural work is like painting a canvas before it is stretched.

Manuscript editing costs in Canada vary depending on the type of edit, the length of your manuscript, and the editor's experience. Developmental editing typically runs higher than copyediting or proofreading because it requires deep engagement with your work. I offer transparent pricing and a free sample edit so you can see exactly what you're getting before you commit.

Your manuscript is ready for an editor when you've taken it as far as you can on your own. This might look like knowing something isn't working but not being able to see what it is, or you might just be read for an honest outside perspective before you share it with the world. You don't need a perfect draft; editors are used to messy, unfinished work and that's exactly what we're here for. If you're a new or hobby writer unsure whether your manuscript is "ready enough," it almost certainly is.

Self-publishing puts you in charge of every decision. This includes level of editing, but readers notice when a book hasn't been professionally edited. Working with an editor before you publish helps you catch structural problems, inconsistencies, and prose issues that are invisible after you've read your own manuscript a hundred times. An edit gives you confidence that you have produced your very best work.

I work with fiction writers, independent authors, and hobby writers across a range of genres including literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and personal narrative. I love to work with people who are passionate about their writing, whatever form that may be. If you're an early-career writer or local Ontario author looking for an editor who will engage with your work on a structural and intellectual way, I would love to hear from you.