What Is Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing is a strategic deep-dive into your manuscript, focusing on structure, pacing, character development, and overall storytelling. We assess:
- Plot and Structure: Does your narrative flow smoothly? Are there gaps or pacing issues? We help tighten the structure, ensuring your story arc unfolds naturally and keeps readers engaged.
- Character Development: For fiction writers, strong, well-rounded characters are crucial. We work with you to ensure your characters are believable, dynamic, and essential to the story.
- Theme and Message: Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or memoir, the underlying themes and messages need to resonate with your readers. We’ll help you sharpen your core message so it shines through your narrative.
- Voice and Tone: Every writer has a unique voice, but is it consistent throughout your work? We’ll help refine your style to match the tone of your story.
Our Developmental Editing Process
Manuscript Review: We begin with a Zoom consultation and an in-depth review of your manuscript to understand your goals and challenges.
Editorial Feedback: You’ll receive detailed, constructive feedback on areas such as plot structure, character arcs, pacing, and overall narrative flow. We help fine-tune the work, ensuring the story’s foundation is solid, before moving on to line and copy editing.
Who Can Benefit?
Novelists: Whether you’re writing your first novel or your tenth, we’ll help you craft a story that readers won’t be able to put down.
Non-Fiction Writers: Whether you’re working on a memoir or self-help book, we’ll ensure your arguments are coherent, well-supported, and impactful.
Why Choose Us?
- Personalized Approach: Every writer is different, and so is every manuscript. We tailor our feedback to suit your vision and voice, never imposing a formulaic approach.
- Experienced Editor: Bestselling author Ellen Potter has years of both writing and editorial experience across genres.
- Collaborative Partnership: We don’t just edit; we partner with you to refine and elevate your story, helping you unlock your manuscript’s full potential.
Testimonials
“With Ellen Potter coaching me, I have completed my manuscript in just one year – a duration she predicted. I highly recommend Ms. Potter to anyone serious about completing their book. With hard work and Ellen by my side, showing the way and cheering me on, I now have a completed manuscript, something I’d only dreamed of.”
–Lori Lindstrom, memoirist and former NASA employee.
“Ellen Potter’s incredible reservoir of knowledge about writing stories is matched by her intuitive understanding of characters and plot development. She guides without judging, embraces curiosity and imagination, and champions process and expression over adherence to rules or formality. Working with Ellen has been a magical and empowering experience!”
–Andrew Heffner, attorney.
About Ellen Potter
Ellen Potter is an accomplished author, editor, and book coach, with 26 award-winning and bestselling titles. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with top publishing houses, specializing in developmental editing across genres like memoir, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature. Her books are published all over the world and have garnered numerous national awards and honors, including New York Public Library Top 100 Books of the Year, ALSC 2016 Notable Books, New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award, and Texas Bluebonnet Award.
Ready to Take Your Manuscript to the Next Level?
Contact us today!