Developmental editing—also called structural or content editing—is all about shaping your story’s foundation. Whether you’re staring down a rough draft or wrangling a narrative that won’t quite come together, this is where the real magic begins.
Together, we’ll explore what’s working and what’s not, tackling big-picture elements like:
- Plot and pacing
- Character development and arcs
- Worldbuilding and setting
- Scene structure
- Tone, genre alignment, and reader engagement
You bring the raw material—your voice, your vision, your passion. I bring a developmental roadmap tailored to help your manuscript evolve into its most powerful form.
What’s included:
- Kickoff Call (30 min): We’ll discuss your goals, genre, target audience, and any areas you’d like me to pay special attention to.
- Inline Feedback: Your manuscript returned with detailed comments via Track Changes in Word, offering scene-level insights and suggested adjustments.
- Editorial Letter: A multi-page breakdown of what’s working, what needs attention, and a clear plan of action for revisions.
- Revision Strategy Session (1–2 hrs): A deep-dive discussion to unpack the edit and collaborate on your next steps.
- Second Pass Review: Once you revise, I’ll review the updated manuscript and provide feedback on your changes.
- Follow-up Letter: A final assessment of your revision’s impact, plus suggestions for final tweaks.
- Bonus: Help crafting your back cover blurb—because that first impression matters.
Developmental editing with Promethean Storyworks is a collaborative, story-first process. I won’t rewrite your book or impose my voice—I’ll help you refine your own, highlighting what makes your story uniquely yours.
Timeline & Pricing
The average cost of developmental editing is 3.5¢ per word*. For example, a 70,000-word novel typically runs around $2,450, with each editorial round taking about 2–3 weeks.
*The final price depends on a brief sample review of your manuscript. If the mechanics of the writing make the manuscript unclear, additional time may be needed, which may increase the total cost. I’ll always provide a clear estimate upfront before any work begins.
📌 Note: This service does not include line edits, proofreading, or research/fact-checking.
Throughout our collaboration, I have consistently been impressed by Ryan’s meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication to excellence in every aspect of his work. His ease of communication and willingness to address concerns or questions promptly made working with him an absolute pleasure.
Ryan’s initiative and commitment to meeting deadlines are truly commendable, ensuring that the tasks at hand were always completed on time without sacrificing quality. As a result, I have developed immense confidence in his abilities, knowing that he will go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results. I can wholeheartedly recommend Ryan for any endeavor requiring exceptional service, diligence, and dedication.
– Erik Henry Vick, Author of Evil Walks Among Us, Blood of the Isir, and the Meredeth Connelly Mind Hunt Thrillers series
Line EDitiNg
Line editing bridges the gap between developmental editing and proofreading. It goes beyond simply correcting errors to elevating the style, clarity, and rhythm of your prose—while also ensuring grammar, punctuation, and usage are up to standard.
This service is ideal once the story’s structure is solid but the writing needs a professional polish at the sentence and paragraph level.
What’s included:
- A 30-minute phone call to discuss your goals for the manuscript, intended audience, and any specific aspects you’d like the edit to focus on
- Corrections for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage
- Sentence-level improvements for clarity, concision, tone, and flow
- Checks for consistency in voice, style, formatting, and internal logic
- A tracked-changes version of your manuscript using Microsoft Word
- A personalized editorial letter outlining strengths and opportunities
- A follow-up call or email for questions and clarification
Timeline and Pricing:
Line editing is typically priced at 2¢ per word*. A 70,000-word novel typically runs around $1,400, with most edits completed in 1 week.
*The final quote depends on the condition of the manuscript. If the writing is particularly rough or inconsistent, the work will take longer and may be priced accordingly.
Note: This service does not include story-level feedback on character arcs, plot, or pacing. For that, see Developmental Editing[LINK]
Ryan’s the kind of editor you actually look forward to working with. He’s sharp, thoughtful, and catches stuff I didn’t even realize was wrong. I can hand him a messy draft and it always comes back cleaner, tighter, better. He’s easy to communicate with and always follows through. I’ve sent him to a few writer friends and every single one of them came back saying the same thing: he’s fantastic. He’s also just fun to work with. If you need editing, copywriting, or proofreading, Ryan will make your words shine.
– Sara Ennis, Author of The Komorebi Serial Killer Series and the Lyssa Jones Cozy Mysteries
ProofreadiNg
Proofreading is the final polish—your manuscript’s last stop before publication. While often mistaken for editing, proofreading doesn’t focus on rewriting sentences or enhancing style. Instead, it’s about catching those stubborn typos, punctuation slips, and usage mistakes that can linger even after several rounds of editing.
Think of it as a final set of fresh eyes to catch things like:
- Typographical errors
- Confusing homophones (their vs. they’re)
- Missing or misplaced punctuation
- Repeated or missing words
- Formatting and usage inconsistencies
Proofreading ensures the clean, professional finish your readers deserve.
What’s included:
- A full manuscript review with all changes marked using Microsoft Word’s Track Changes
- Comments and explanations for any recurring patterns or issues
Timeline & Pricing
Proofreading is typically billed at 1¢ per word*. For example, a 70,000-word manuscript typically costs around $700 and takes approximately one week to complete.
*The final cost depends on the condition of the manuscript. If the grammar is particularly rough, the work will take longer and may be priced accordingly.
📌 Note: Proofreading does not include feedback on plot, character, or voice; research and fact-checking; or extensive line edits. It’s best reserved for manuscripts that have already been through the line editing process.
Ryan is an exceptional proofreader—meticulous, reliable, and truly dedicated to elevating every manuscript he touches. His keen eye for detail and consistency gives me full confidence that my work is publication-ready.
– H.K. Christie, author of the Martina Monroe series, Val Costa series, and Selena Bailey series