Developmental Editing

Write without fear. Edit without mercy.

—Rogena Mitchell-Jones

Structural Editing that Elevates Story

Developmental editing is at the core of our editorial work. We work with narrative nonfiction and nonfiction authors who have completed a full draft and want to understand how their manuscript is functioning as a whole before moving into line-level polish.

At this stage, our focus is on structure, clarity, and reader experience. We look closely at how the book is organized, how ideas and narrative threads build across chapters, and how effectively the story, research, and analysis work together on the page. For nonfiction projects in particular, we pay careful attention to overall readability and coherence—examining how a reader is likely to interpret the author’s message and whether the manuscript is communicating what the author intends.

Developmental editing brings both analytical rigor and creative sensitivity to the revision process. Rather than rewriting your work, we provide thoughtful, detailed feedback that helps you see the manuscript clearly, identify what’s working, and understand where focused revision will strengthen the book. The goal is a more cohesive, intentional manuscript, and a clear path forward for revision.