The honest view you need
Friends and family are kind. An editor tells you what a reader will actually experience.
Editing
Developmental Editing Services
Before you fix sentences, make sure the book itself works. A developmental editor reads your whole manuscript and tells you honestly what is strong, what is missing and how to fix it.
- Whole-manuscript assessment
- Plot, structure, pacing and argument
- A detailed editorial letter
- Written for fiction and non-fiction
Request a free quote
Tell us about your project. We reply within one working day.
About this service
What our developmental editing service involves
Developmental editing happens first for a reason. There is no point polishing a chapter that should be moved, merged or cut. Our editors read your manuscript as a reader would, then step back and look at how the pieces fit together.
You receive an editorial letter that explains what is working and what is not, with specific, practical suggestions. For fiction that might mean tension, character arcs and point of view. For non-fiction it is usually logic, order and whether the book delivers on its promise.
Why authors ask for this
Big-picture feedback on plot, pacing, structure and argument before you polish.
Every project starts with a free conversation and a written quote, so you know the scope, the timeline and the price before any work begins.
Amazon Publication is an independent company. You keep your rights, your accounts and your royalties.
Benefits
Six reasons to choose our developmental editing service
Problems found early
Fixing structure now saves money later, because line edits and design come after the big changes.
Specific, usable advice
Notes point to chapters and scenes, and suggest how to fix each issue rather than merely naming it.
Genre awareness
Editors know the conventions your readers expect, and where it is smart to break them.
Your vision protected
The goal is a stronger version of your book, not a different book.
Follow-up support
A short follow-up conversation helps you plan revisions with confidence.
What is included
- A full read of your manuscript
- An editorial letter covering the big-picture issues
- Notes on plot, structure, pacing and character or argument
- Chapter-level comments where needed
- A prioritised revision plan
- A follow-up conversation to answer questions
- Optional review of your revised draft
Who it is for
- Authors who finished a first or second draft
- Writers who sense something is off but cannot say what
- Non-fiction authors with a loose or repetitive structure
- Novelists preparing to self-publish
- Anyone about to invest in line editing and design
How it works
Our developmental editing process in 5 steps
- 1
Manuscript submission
You send your full draft and tell us about your goals and readers.
- 2
Full read
The editor reads the whole book and takes structured notes.
- 3
Editorial letter
You receive a detailed report with clear, ranked recommendations.
- 4
Conversation
We talk through the feedback so you know where to begin revising.
- 5
Revise and recheck
You rework the draft, and we can review the changes if you wish.
What to expect when you work with us
When you request developmental editing from Amazon Publication, you speak to a real person first. A publishing consultant listens to what you want for your book, looks at what you already have and tells you honestly whether this service is the right next step. If it is not, we say so.
You then receive a written quote that lists the scope, the number of revision rounds and an estimated timeline. Once you approve it, a project manager becomes your single point of contact. Your feedback goes to the right specialist, progress updates arrive in plain language and nothing is added to the bill without your agreement.
Throughout the project you keep ownership of your work, and any retailer or platform account stays in your name. We never promise bestseller rankings, guaranteed sales or fake reviews, because honest work is the only kind that lasts.
Ready to start with developmental editing?
Tell us about your book and get a clear plan within one working day.
FAQ
Questions about developmental editing
What is the difference between developmental and line editing?
Developmental editing deals with the big picture: structure, pacing and content. Line editing polishes sentences afterwards.
Will you rewrite my book?
No. We advise and you revise, so the book stays yours. Ghostwriting is available if you want us to write.
Does my manuscript need to be finished?
A complete draft gives the best result, because pacing and structure are judged across the whole book.
How long is the editorial letter?
It depends on the manuscript, but expect a thorough document with prioritised recommendations and examples.
Is my manuscript kept confidential?
Yes. Only your assigned editor sees it, and we can sign a confidentiality agreement on request.
Related services
Other services authors combine with this one
Line Editing
Sentence-level polish for style, clarity, rhythm and consistency.
Proofreading
A final pass for typos, punctuation and formatting slips before publication.
Ghostwriting
Your story and your name on the cover, written by a professional who captures your voice.